Kerry Simon Information
Kerry Simon (born June 17, 1957) is an American celebrity chef and restaurateur based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dubbed the "Rock n' Roll Chef" by Rolling Stone Magazine, Simon is known for "L'American" cuisine, expanding the limits and notions of simple comfort food via his classic training. He is the executive chef and proprietor at his namesake restaurant "Simon" at Palms Place in Las Vegas. His other restaurants include Simon LA, in Los Angeles, California, Simon Prime in Atlantic City, New Jersey and KGB in Las Vegas.
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Biography
Simon grew up in Evanston, Illinois a suburb of Chicago's North Shore region. His first job was at Little Caesars Pizza, trying to save up for an electric guitar. Someone that worked with him left and opened his own restaurant, Dave’s Italian Kitchen, and convinced Simon to join him. Even though he thought he was going to be a musician (jamming with his 1963 black Fender Stratocaster is still a favorite pastime), it didn’t take long for Simon, and others around him, to recognize his passion for cooking; he would pull all-nighters practicing dishes, experimenting with Julia Child's and Graham Kerr's cookbooks, making soufflés. Dave saw him burning the midnight oil and told him about the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Simon applied, but there was a five-year waiting list. However, within a year the Culinary Institute contacted him; a spot had opened up and was offered to Simon. While at CIA, his weekends were spent in Upstate New York in an apprenticeship with three-star chef Jean Morel, who provided training in the classic manner, rules, structure, and discipline of French cuisine.
Upon graduation, Simon worked under such culinary luminaries as Jean-Jacques Rachou at La Côte Basque and André Soltner at Lutece, before a stint as the personal chef for John Addey at Canonbury House in London, England.
Upon returning to New York, and while working privately for insurance mogul Saul Steinberg, he wandered over to the Drake Hotel, where one of his inspirations, Louis Outhier had just opened Lafayette. In the kitchen, the long-haired Simon met Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who told him that there was no position available, but if he'd cut off his hair he could return the next day and work for free. Simon did just that...shaving off only one side. The synergy between the two led to instant success and four-stars from the New York Times, as well as "New American" ideas such as flavored oils (such as Simon's lobster oil as a vinaigrette) and avocado cookies.
In 1989, Ivana Trump hired him as executive chef at the Edwardian Room in New York’s Plaza Hotel—the youngest in the Plaza’s history. Simon refreshed the concept of the chef’s table in the kitchen. It became so hot that it was booked months in advance by a parade of A-listers like David Bowie and Iman, Matt Dillon, Diane Keaton, Julian Schnabel, Michael Hutchence, and Debbie Harry. In 1991, Rolling Stone named him one of the top personalities of the year.
In search of new adventures and inspirations, Simon left The Plaza’s Edwardian Room in the early and traveled to Russia, Europe and the Far East. When he returned to the U.S., he chose Miami Beach, Florida for his comeback. He opened Blue Star at the Raleigh Hotel, which became an instant success. It was followed by Starfish (also at the Raleigh), Max's and Mercury.
In 1998, Simon rejoined Jean-Georges, but this time around as cuisine and design developer (read: corporate chef), a challenge that encompassed every phase of restaurant development. He continued to hone his skills by traveling the world developing, opening, or overseeing restaurants in Las Vegas, New York, Hong Kong, London, and Chicago. He was partner at Mercer Kitchen in Manhattan and executive chef/partner at Prime in Las Vegas. In 2001, Elizabeth Blau and Peter Morton approached him about partnering in a restaurant bearing his name and showcasing his cuisine, resulting in the October, 2002 opening of Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The restaurant was selected as one of “America’s Best New Restaurants” by Esquire Magazine.
In 2006, Simon went to Los Angeles and opened SIMON LA in the revamped Sofitel Hotel with Blau as a partner. The restaurant's menu is eclectic, ranging from tuna tartare with lemongrass oil and wasabi caviar to meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes; pizza to yellowtail carpaccio. Dessert features a Hugh Hefner favorite, Simon's signature junk food platter—a mix of cotton candy, homemade Cracker Jacks, Rice Krispie treats, doughnut holes, Sno Balls, cookies, and cupcakes—complete with a vanilla milkshake to wash it all down.
In 2008, Simon partnered with Billy Cross and Mick Doohan for The Cathouse at the Luxor Hotel and Casino, offering European-inspired dishes amidst the vibe of a 1930s bordello. Simon also partnered with George Maloof on a steak and seafood joint, Simon Restaurant & Lounge at Palms Place. It's also notable for its green design by architectural firm, the Rockwell Group.
In February, 2010, Simon debuted the L.A. Market restaurant at the JW Marriott Hotel at L.A. Live, becoming part of the culinary renaissance and redevelopment of downtown Los Angeles. In June, he opened SimonPrime Steakhouse and Martini Bar at the Hilton Atlantic City on the Boardwalk. And in July, Simon unveiled his latest concept, a burger and vodka bar called KGB (Kerry's Gourmet Burgers). It's located at Harrah's on the Las Vegas Strip. The winner of Hell's Kitchen Season 8 will become the head chef of the L.A. Market.
Iron Chef
In the second episode of the 2005 season, Simon appeared on Iron Chef America, challenging and defeating Cat Cora in Battle Hamburger. He has also judged for Iron Chef America.
Aside from Iron Chef America, he has made other appearances on television. He can also be seen on an episode of the Fine Living's What Makes it Tick.
References
External links
| This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive and inappropriate external links. (December 2010) |
- http://twitter.com/kerrysimon
- http://kerry-simon.love.com/
- http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=3131836&web_id=3131836&sf=qc&dept=qc0001&cat=qc0002&prev=hp!sf!dept!cat
- http://www.tv.com/iron-chef-america/iron-chef-cat-cora-vs.-kerry-simon/episode/390865/recap.html?tag=episode_recap;recap
- http://secretsauce.ivillage.com/food/archives/2008/02/kerry-simon-iron-chef-slider-1.html
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-weston/simon-la----kerry-simons_b_546136.html
- http://www.starchefs.com/KSimon/KSimon_bio.html
- http://weeklyseven.com/dining/2010/may/06/kerry-simon
- http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/24/rock-and-roll-chef-kerry-simon-hits-his-prime/
- http://twitter.com/kerrysimon
- http://www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SCID=42&BLGID=8265
- http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/29/earlyshow/saturday/chef/main3892020.shtml
- http://dailyfiasco.com/tag/palms-place/
- http://www.hauteliving.com/?x=0&y=0&s=Kerry+Simon
- http://www.formula1movies.com/video/fNHC4sCYIxw/Channel-8-Las-Vegas-morning-show-with-kerry-simon.html?vid=fNHC4sCYIxw
- http://www.vegaschatter.com/special/search?q=KGB+Kerry+Simon&cx=000880140035110026912%3Azg4udib7dxo&cof=FORID%3A11&x=0&y=0
- http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/multimedia/kerry_simon_the_rock_n_roll_chef_debuts_simon_prime_at_ac_hilton-96962854.html
- http://www.zimbio.com/Kerry+Simon
- http://www.findeatdrink.com/Index/Restaurants/Entries/2010/4/19_kerry_simon.html
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Categories: Living people | American chefs | American restaurateurs | Culinary Institute of America alumni |
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