Can Mike Symon continue his scorching year at the Beard Awards?

This weekend marks the return of the annual James Beard Foundation Awards extravaganza in the Big Apple. Named for “father of American gastronomy” James Beard, the prestigious awards are a celebration of the nation’s best chefs, restaurants, and food journalists. The weekend-long festivities will peak on Sunday night with a black-tie gala at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, sort of like the Academy Awards but with a way better spread. And for the second year in a row, Cleveland’s own Iron Chef, Michael Symon (Lola, Lolita), will be carrying the C-Town banner at the event, as one of five nominees for Best Chef in the Great Lakes Region. ...