Michael Symon Biography

Fast Facts

• 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
• Opened his first restaurant, Lola, in 1997 in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood
• 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
• 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․"