The Westin Book Cadillac & The Birth of Roast
In 2008, downtown Detroit was on the precipice of an unprecedented revival. The landmark Westin Book Cadillac Hotel was reopening after years of restoration, and it needed a flagship restaurant that could signal a new era of Midwestern fine dining. Enter Iron Chef Michael Symon.
Symon brought his signature wood-fired, meat-focused philosophy to Detroit with Roast. Featuring whole-animal roasting, house-cured charcuterie, bone marrow with braised cheek, and artisanal steaks, Roast quickly became a culinary destination for food lovers across Michigan and the Midwest.
James Beard Honors & Television Stardom
In 2009, the James Beard Foundation awarded Symon "Best Chef Great Lakes," solidifying his status as one of the Midwest's most vital culinary voices. That same year, the Detroit Free Press named Roast its Restaurant of the Year.
Beyond the kitchen, Symon became a household name across America through Food Network's Iron Chef America, BBQ Brawl, Burgers, Brew & 'Que, and co-hosting ABC's Daytime Emmy-winning show The Chew.
In His Own Words
"When we came to Detroit to open Roast in 2008, people wondered if the city was ready. Detroiters didn't just embrace us — they made us family. The passion and soul of Detroit's food community is unmatched anywhere in America."
— Michael Symon
Career Highlights Timeline
Wins The Next Iron Chef on Food Network, officially joining the pantheon of Iron Chefs.
Opens Roast inside the restored Westin Book Cadillac Hotel in Downtown Detroit, sparking a downtown dining revival.
Named James Beard Foundation Award winner for Best Chef Great Lakes; Roast named Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year.
Wins Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host on ABC's The Chew.
Continues national culinary mentorship, authoring bestseller cookbooks including Fix It with Food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Michael Symon?
Michael Symon is an Iron Chef, James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author who brought high-caliber meat-centric fine dining to Detroit with Roast.
What impact did Michael Symon have on Detroit's food scene?
In 2008, Symon opened Roast inside the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. It was named Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year in 2009 and served as an anchor for Downtown Detroit's culinary renaissance.
What cooking style is Michael Symon known for?
Symon describes his cooking as meat-centric, wood-fired, and soul-satisfying, combining Midwestern comfort ingredients with Mediterranean and Greek culinary heritage.