Throwdown With Michael Symon: Release Date, Episodes, And More - What We Know So Far

Some exciting culinary TV news has just come across our desk that we had to share with you. Food Network just announced a brand new food competition show that will be hosted by none other than Iron Chef Michael Symon.

Michael Symon has been wowing the country with his approachable style of cooking, delicious dishes, and signature laugh since 1998, when Food & Wine Magazine named him Best New Chef (via Food Network). He's headed up several renowned restaurants in Cleveland and Detroit including Lola, Lolita, Roast, and B Spot. After making appearances on the network's shows since the early 2000s, Symon has been a Food Network staple since winning the first season of "The Next Iron Chef" in 2008, which earned him a seat on the esteemed panel of Iron Chefs. He's since appeared on and hosted many TV Shows.

"As one of the most trusted voices in the culinary world with seven cookbooks to his name, numerous accolades for his restaurants, and the winningest Iron Chef, Michael Symon is a fan favorite and simply one of the best chefs cooking today. But he also might be the most competitive person as well," Courtney White, the President of Food Network and Streaming Food Content, Discovery Inc, said in a press release sent to Mashed.

Needless to say, Michael Symon is the perfect choice to host a culinary competition show. 

On "Throwdown with Michael Symon" some of the best chefs in the country are invited to compete head-to-head with Michael Symon. The chefs are invited by Symon and his culinary director Katie Pickens to be featured on the show and asked to make their signature dish. Symon also makes the dish and the two chefs compete in a classic culinary throwdown. However, there is a twist: The featured chef does not know they will be competing with Symon, and Symon does not know the identity of the chef he is competing against. On the show, they will cook in front of a crowd of spectators. Surely, some hysterical antics will ensue from the surprise elements of the show.

In a press release sent to Mashed, Michael Symon weighed in on the premise. He said, "On 'Throwdown,' we get to showcase some of America's greatest chefs and restaurateurs while also getting the opportunity to flex my competitive side, too. Needing to think quickly and take chances in making someone else's signature dish, all the while not knowing who I'm competing against and battling it out in their wheelhouse, I couldn't think of a more perfect challenge!"

The winner of the throwdown will be chosen by the audience and two special guest judges. It sounds like a very entertaining way to highlight the featured chef's talent and challenge them and Symon to prepare the best meal they possibly can.

The release date for "Throwdown with Michael Symon" was announced in the press release from Food Network. The premiere will air on Tuesday, December 7 with a special two-episode event. Tune in on Food Network at 9:30 p.m. EST to watch the first two episodes of the series. The first two episodes are being billed together as a double-episode.

The premiere will launch the series and is sure to be filled with delicious food, talented chefs, twists and turns, and Symon's undeniably infectious laugh. It will be interesting to see how the show's unique premise unfolds on our screens.

The next two episodes of the season were also announced in the press release. These episodes will premiere one at a time over the following weeks. Episodes 3 and 4 of "Throwdown with Michael Symon" will air on Tuesday, December 14 and Tuesday, December 21. The season currently only has four episodes announced.

Luckily, we have some insight about the featured chefs, episode titles, and brief descriptions of what's to come. The teasers will definitely pique your interest and give you good reason to check out "Throwdown with Michael Symon" when it premieres.

Episode 1 is called "Battle of the BBQ Burgers." The featured chef is Matt Abdoo of the popular Brooklyn restaurant Pig Beach. The signature dish is a burger loaded up with pork. As BBQ food and burgers are some of Michael Symon's strengths, it will be a stiff competition between the two chefs. Episode 2 is "Georgian Cheesy Bread." It will feature Georgian chefs Ricky and Maria of New York restaurant Tzarevna as they challenge Symon to make the classic dish Khachapuri, which is a savory stuffed bread dish. These two episodes will air together during the premiere.

The following episodes are "Savory Chicken Shawarma," when the Sussman brothers of Samesa challenge Symon to make the titular dish, and "Crunchy Asian Fried Chicken," featuring chefs Maiko and Emily of the Japanese-style fried chicken restaurant Bessou.