Michael Symon to Speak at Cuyahoga County Public Library on Sunday, March 30

James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Symon to release his latest cookbook in March. Credit: Clarkson Potter

Michael Symon’s latest cookbook, Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out: 100 Recipes that Redefine Outdoor Cooking, is due to be released on March 25th. In support of his latest release, which is again co-written by Scene dining editor Doug Trattner, the author has scheduled a book tour that includes a stop in Cleveland.

From 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 30th, the James Beard Award-winning chef will visit the Parma-Snow branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. He will be joined in conversation by chef Rocco Whalen of Fahrenheit restaurant.

The $35 registration fee includes a copy of the cookbook.

In this latest book, Symon builds on the success of his outdoor cooking show, Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out, which has been airing on the Food Network for five seasons. The cookbook — the Cleveland chef’s ninth — features fan favorites from that show alongside a slew of new recipes.

What is unique about this collection of recipes is that every item is prepared on the grill, including desserts.

“When I’m cooking outside—filming or not—the last thing I want to do is split my time between my indoor kitchen and the grill,” Symon explains. “I truly believe that anything that can be made inside can be made outside on a standard charcoal grill. Yes, I will admit that it might be easier to do some things indoors, like boiling water for pasta or baking a finicky cake, but where is the fun and adventure in that?!”

The recipes range from fresh and fun starters like Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Kebabs and straightforward entrees such as Grilled Swordfish with Salsa Fresca to an elegant Tomato Tart Tatin. Cooking techniques employed include direct-heat setups, indirect-heat setups and a combination of the two. Long cooks, such as the one used in the Pastrami-Smoked Pork Belly, utilize the Snake or Minion Methods.

To reserve your spot at the talk, register here.

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