Michael Symon

Birth Name:

Michael D. Symon

Birth Place:

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Profession

Producer, Actor

Named a National Rising Star in 1997 by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine
Was named one of the Top Ten Best New Chefs by Food and Wine Magazine in 1998
Won his first James Beard Foundation Award in 2009 for Best Chef Great Lakes
Graduated from New York's Culinary Institute of America in 1990
Before making appearances on various national television programs, he opened several popular restaurants in downtown Cleveland and is often credited as saving the city's eatery scene
Opened his first restaurant, Lola, in 1997 in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood
Quote: "(On Food Network): "It's more of a mix; there are chefs and there are entertainers․ But I think it's still the same goal, which is to get people in the kitchen trying things․""
Began appearing on well-known Food Network shows in the late 2000s before landing his own series including "Symon's Suppers" in 2012
Often competes and judges on "Iron Chef America" and "The Next Iron Chef․"
Published his first of many cookbooks in 2009 titled "Michael Symon's Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen․"

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