Michael Symon of Cleveland Ohio wins 'Next Iron Chef' competition

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http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1194859810146820.xml&coll=2

Cleveland chef and restaurant owner Michael Symon won the Food Network's six-week "Next Iron Chef" competition Sunday night, defeating finalist John Besh from New Orleans, four votes to two.

Two hundred-plus family, fans, friends and customers of Symon went crazy Sunday night when the episode showing him winning the ultimate challenge was aired.Symon was typically low-key throughout the evening, causing doubts for those gathered to celebrate at Lolita in Tremont, the original space of Symon's first restaurant.

Symon's wife, Liz, said, "It had more impact this time than actually being there. I shed a tear this time. All our friends were here and that was so much bigger. A win on Cleveland soil is so huge."

The secret ingredient in the final cook-off was swordfish, not a Symon specialty, and the show's twist was that three current Iron Chefs - Masaharu Morimoto, Cat Cora and Bobby Flay - were brought in as judges. The new judges saved Symon's victory as all three voted for him while only one of the other three judges, Cleveland author Michael Ruhlman, voted for Symon.