Be Like Mike

I don’t often get excited about a new TV show, but Michael Symon’s Cook Like an Iron Chef looks like a real winner:

“It’s essentially a show for the people who’ve watched Food Network forever and are ready to learn something more advanced or more creative,” said Symon, who begins taping 13 episodes next month.

The chef, who owns Lola, Lolita, Bar Symon and the B Spot restaurants in Northeast Ohio as well as Roast in Detroit, says he will bring a professional chef’s sensibilities to his latest show. Rather than focus on basic techniques — “after 15 years of Food Network, we’re assuming that people know how to peel a clove of garlic,” he says — Symon sees his audience as serious foodies who are ready to take the next step as a home cook.

At Case Verde, this is going to be date-night viewing.