The Iron Chef’s empire will restructure as part of a $5 million partnership with Louisiana-based Ballard Brands. The end of chef Jose Garces’s troubles is a Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring — and a new beginning. Garces, the chef-restaurateur behind Amada, Village Whiskey and more, announced on Wednesday afternoon a new partnership with Ballard Brands, a restaurant company in Covington, La., for $5 million dollars in cash and assumed liabilities.