From Cleveland, Ohio comes 38-year-old Michael Symon, the owner of the renowned Lola and Lolita restaurants in his hometown. He was educated at The Culinary Institute of America and was later awarded as one of the Ten Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine in 1998. He also was the former host of Food Network's Melting Pot series, and has appeared on Sara's Secrets with Sara Moulton, Ready, Set, Cook and FoodNation with Bobby Flay. Aside from television, Symon has also graced magazines such as Gourmet, Bon Appétit, Saveur, Food Arts, Esquire and O, The Oprah Magazine.

Michael Symon is featured as one of eight contestants on Food Network's reality series, The Next Iron Chef.



(Photo courtesy of Food Network)