A Burning Culinary Battle? Sanji vs. The Gorgeous Chef

Strolling the streets, Sanji is stopped by Carmen, hailed as the East Blue's greatest chef, who dares him into the region's cooking contest. He shrugs off the invitation at first, then changes his mind once he learns the winner takes home a blue-finned elephant tuna, a rare catch from the South Blue he has long wished to cook. With that prize on the table, he signs up.

Run as a bracketed tournament, the contest narrows down to Sanji and Carmen as the last two standing. Before the verdict on the final round is announced, Carmen concedes that Sanji has outdone her. He is named the victor and presented with the tuna, which is carried off to the Going Merry. Across town, Luffy makes his way back to the execution platform, where both Smoker and Buggy catch sight of him and begin to follow.

4Kids Entertainment reworked this footage heavily, splicing Japanese episode 49 with part of 51 into its episode 41, Switched Blades, then joining part of 51 with part of 52 into episode 42, Sanji Sizzles. Carmen learns of Sanji and the Baratie through a newspaper, and the installment was skipped in the remastered edition. Several minor figures debut here, among them Carmen, Leo, Jose, Minatomo, Sapi, Shutai, and Eccoli.