Michael Symon Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Height, Son, Restaurants, Awards

Michael D. Symon is an American chef, restaurateur, and media personality whose vigorous, meat-centered cooking style and affable demeanor propelled him from Cleveland kitchens to Food Network stardom.

He first caught the public eye in the late 1990s as executive chef at Tribeca’s acclaimed Montrachet, where his inventive riffs on French-American classics earned rave notices.

His subsequent victories on Iron Chef America and his role as co-host of ABC’s The Chew cemented his reputation as both a culinary force and a canny television presence, making him one of the most recognizable chefs on U.S. screens.

Profile

• Full name: Michael D. Symon
• Date of birth: September 19, 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
• State of origin: Ohio
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef; restaurateur; television personality; author
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
• Weight: 185 lb (84 kg)
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Black
• Parents: Dennis Symon (father); Angel Symon (mother)
• Siblings: Nikki Symon (sister)
• Spouse: Liz Shanahan (m. 1998)
• Children: Kyle Symon (son)
• Relationship status: Married
• Ethnicity: Greek, Sicilian, Eastern European (Slovak)
• Net worth: US $8 million

Early Life and Education

Michael D. Symon is now 56 years old and was born on September 19, 1969, in Cleveland, Ohio.

He grew up in North Olmsted, a Cleveland suburb, attending St. Richard School followed by St. Edward High School, graduating in 1987.

While in high school, he began working part-time as a cook at a local pizza and ribs restaurant, laying the groundwork for his culinary future.

In 1990, he earned his diploma from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, after which he returned to Cleveland to embark on his professional chef career.

Personal Life

Michael Symon married his longtime partner, Liz Shanahan, in 1998.

The couple has one son, Kyle Symon, born prior to their marriage; Kyle has since followed his father into the food-and-beverage industry.

Symon and Shanahan maintain residences in Cleveland and Las Vegas, balancing his restaurant empire with family life.

Beyond cooking, Symon is an avid outdoorsman and often credits his Midwestern roots for his hands-on approach both in the kitchen and at home.

Career

Shortly after graduating from CIA, Michael Symon honed his skills at North Olmsted’s Geppetto’s Pizza and Ribs and then at Drew Nieporent’s Montrachet restaurant in New York City.

In 1997, he returned to Cleveland to open Lola with Liz Shanahan in the city’s Tremont neighborhood, transforming a neglected district into a dining destination.

Over the next decade he launched a series of critically acclaimed eateries—including Lolita, Parea (New York City), Roast (Detroit), and the BSpot burger franchise—and earned a reputation for elevating local food scenes.

On television, Symon debuted on Food Network in 1998 with appearances on Ready, Set, Cook and Sara’s Secrets.

His breakthrough came in 2005 when he competed and later won on Iron Chef America.

From 2011 to 2018, he co-hosted ABC’s The Chew, earning a Daytime Emmy Award, and starred in his own series—Burgers, Brew and ‘Que; BBQ Brawl: Flay v. Symon; and Throwdown with Bobby Flay—further broadening his audience.

Awards

• 1995 Cleveland’s Hottest Chef, The Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine
• 2007 Best Local Chef, Cleveland Magazine
• 2009 James Beard Foundation Award – Best Chef: Great Lakes
• 2010, 2011, 2012 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Best Burger Award
• 2015 Daytime Emmy Award – Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host (The Chew)

Net worth

Michael Symon’s net worth is estimated at US $8 million, amassed through his restaurant ventures, television appearances, book royalties, and branded partnerships.

Social Media

• Instagram: @chefmichaelsymon
• X: @michaelsymon

Filmography

• Iron Chef America
• The Chew
• Burgers, Brew and ‘Que
• BBQ Brawl: Flay v. Symon
• Cook Like an Iron Chef
• Dinner: Impossible
• Food Feuds
• The Best Thing I Ever Ate
• Throwdown with Bobby Flay
• Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out

Books

• Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen (2009)
• Michael Symon’s Live to Cook: A Revolutionary Approach to Cooking Meat (2014)