Michael Symon is a successful restaurateur, an Iron Chef, and a beloved icon in his hometown of Cleveland. This year, he expands his horizons even further as a judge on the third season of Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef,” and as host of the original series “Food Feuds,” where he seeks to determine the best of the best American regional cuisine. Chef Symon was nice enough to sit down and answer some of my questions about judging the next Iron Chef, what will define his new program, and how he feels about my beloved Chicago cuisine.

Check out his answers in the video below and make sure to tune in for the premiere of "Next Iron Chef" this Sunday, October 3 @ 9pm/8c.