The exposure from 'Iron Chef' has been helpful, but at the end of the day your product and your service determine whether you get customers or not. If people decide to eat out less during a recession, the first restaurants that they will cut out are the ones that don't do a great job.

Awards and honors
In 1995 The Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine named Symon as Cleveland’s hottest chef. He is seen regularly on Food Network on shows such as Iron Chef America Food Feuds and The Best Thing I Ever Ate as well as Cook Like an Iron Chef on the Cooking Channel and The Chew on ABC. He took a part time job at Gepetto's Ribs on Warren Rd.

Symon describes his cooking as "meat-centric. Additionally he owns Michael Symon's Roast (also known as Roast) in Detroit Michigan. He is seen regularly on Food Network on shows such as Iron Chef America Food Feuds and The Best Thing I Ever Ate as well as Cook Like an Iron Chef on the Cooking Channel and The Chew on ABC.