Either way, it makes sense.
Probably a reference to Iron Chef's Chairman. Your translation looks correct.
It's this guy.
I think you are on the right track with the history reference. I forgot who Shuukichi Haneda (羽田 秀吉) was named after, but wasn't it a general or something like that?
太閤; 大閤 【たいこう】 (n) (hon) (esp. refers to Toyotomi Hideyoshi) (See 関白・かんぱく) taiko; title for a regent, later for the grand chancellor, also for the father of an Imperial adviser (advisor) who passed the role to his son