A culinary star that attracted the likes of David Bowie and Iman, Matt Dillon, Diane Keaton, Debbie Harry and INXS, Chef Simon began a trend that renewed the popularity of chef's tables in kitchens throughout fine restaurants in the United States. Rolling Stone, noting Simon's special brand of culinary genius, bestowed him with the unofficial title of "Rock n' Roll Chef."

Simon's "wild food" received a positive response internationally as well, elevating him from a culinary talent to a celebrity chef at the Plaza Hotel. Next, at Miami Beach's Raleigh Hotel restaurant, the Blue Star, Simon began a foray into his signature comfort food - simple American fare prepared with the intuition of a master chef.

In 1998, Simon joined long time friend Jean-Georges Vongerichten's organization as cuisine and design developer. This new challenge encompassed every phase of restaurant development and he continued to hone his skills by traveling the world developing, opening and overseeing restaurants in Las Vegas, New York, Hong Kong, London and Chicago. He finally settled between two major cities and two major restaurants -- in New York at Mercer Kitchen as partner and in Las Vegas at Prime as executive chef/partner. In 2001, Elizabeth Blau and Peter Morton approached Simon to partner with them and open a restaurant in Las Vegas bearing his name and showcasing the signature American cuisine that had become his trademark. Simon kitchen and bar at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Esquire Magazine "Best New Restaurants" 2003) opened in 2002 and quickly took its place among Las Vegas' finest restaurants. Along with business partner Elizabeth Blau they opened SIMON LA at the Sofitel in 2006. In 2008 Simon returned to Las Vegas for the openings of CatHouseat the Luxor Hotel & Casino and Simon at the Palms Casino Resort. Simon's newest ventures include LA Market at the JW Marriott which opened in February 2010 and Simon Prime at the Atlantic City Hilton which will open in June 2010.

Lifestyle Professionals, Celebrity Chef,