As a long time Iron Chef & Iron Chef America fan, I enjoy the personalities & styles that have renewed the American interest in cooking. I have often agreed w/ Michael Symon's statement, "Everything is Better with Bacon!", and with that in mind, recently found a website that has a multitude of bacon scented or printed products... band-aids that look like strips of bacon, bacon scented soap, and so forth... If he would be interested in the website, I would gladly send the address, but didn't feel that it would be appropriate to put advertising on your blog...( I have no association w/ this site nor owner, and am receiving nothing for passing on this link except hoping to provide Chef Symon w/ a smile). Please keep up the great work... I always find something new while watching you cook. Thank you,BigBob

How romantic was Michael's answer to number 3? Very sweet.

As for Jerri, maybe you should actually think about eating at Lola and then form an actual opinion. It's obvious you're a Besh fan and for that who could fault you, I hear he's great. But if you have no idea what Michael Symon can do with food, you might want to think about finding out before posting such a letter. I've eaten at Lola many times and each time it's absolutely amazing. He is every bit an Iron Chef and deserved to win.

Wow, Jerri you showed them huh? Is Symon still an Iron Chef after that stinging expose?

Get a job.

Jerri:
Not sure why you are posting this here - Clevelanders are pretty much huge Symon supporters and we believe he won fair and square. But, you are of course entitled to your opinion. In my opinion, I don't think the show was trying to hide or promote the relationship. It was called out that each was from Cleveland and the producers knew of the relationship and obviously didn't think it would be a problem. In fact, Ruhlman wasn't supportive of Michael during each show. Further, each of the three Iron Chefs - according to the papers - voted for Michael. He deserved to win, just as Ruhlman deserved to be there, so just be happy for him. I mean, why the need to go to such lenghts? I'm sure you have more important things to do with your time, and in the scheme of things, it's just a show afterall.

Jerri N. Udelson
20 Tanoito
Santa Fe, NM 87506
(505) 992-0055

December 17, 2007

Bruce Seidel, Executive Producer
The Next Iron Chef
Food Network
75 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY 10011

Dear Mr. Seidel:

I am an avid fan of the Food Network. I particularly enjoy the Iron Chef Challenge programs, as well as anything with Bobby Flay.

I recently watched all six episodes of “The Next Iron Chef” show hosted by Alton Brown. The shows were particularly interesting to me since they featured such a variety of chefs in terms of style, technique and personality.

When Michael Symon and John Besh were the last two chefs standing, I was not surprised, given the kudos expressed all along by the three judges. When Michael Symon won, I was personally surprised, since it seemed as though Mr. Besh was the favorite.

Now for the interesting part: About a month after the conclusion of the series I was given a book by a friend. Knowing that I like memoirs and biographies of chefs, she lent me The Soul of a Chef: The Journey Toward Perfection by Michael Ruhlman. As I noted the name and photo on the cover, I saw that Mr. Ruhlman, indeed, was one of the three judges featured on “The Next Iron Chef.”

Imagine my surprise when I opened the book to the table of contents and discovered that a third of the book was devoted to Mr. Symon and his restaurant Lola. Not only did Mr. Ruhlman personally know Chef Symon, he spent time in his restaurant hanging out with him, observing him, smoking cigarettes with him, and indeed praising him, saying “I adored his style and admired his mechanical genius” (page 213, paperback edition, 2001).

Now, I cannot assume that Michael Symon won The Next Iron Chef challenge due to the favoritism of one of the judges; however, I think the relationship between the two should have been disclosed to unknowing viewers, including the undersigned. To present the show as impartial and unbiased is a disservice to the many loyal viewers of the Food Network, and perhaps even a tad unethical.

Sincerely yours,

Jerri N. Udelson

P.S. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a native of Cleveland, Ohio, but I have never met any of the principals mentioned above, nor have I ever eaten at Lola or Lolita.

Cc: Michael Symon
John Besh
Michael Ruhlman
Alton Brown
Kim Severson, New York Times
Editors, New York Times, Cleveland Plain Dealer,
Times Picayune

he does rock! That is so awesome!

I have an idea. Do you have an email address?

wow...sounds like you have a great job :)