Kerry Simon Kerry Simon was the celebrity chef and restaurateur of Carson Kitchen and Simon in Las Vegas. Rolling Stone called him "the rock 'n' roll chef," which inspired Rock ‘n’ Roll Chef: The Kerry Simon Cookbook. Experience Simon grew up in Chicago suburb Evanston, Illinois, and began working with food at Little Caesars and cooking his way through Julia Child's cookbook until earning a scholarship to the CIA. He then worked at the Plaza Hotel in New York, and went on to helm Blue Star, Starfish, Max’s, and Mercury in Miami; and Chuck’s at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.Simon debuted in Las Vegas as the executive chef of Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Prime Steakhouse when the Bellagio opened in 1998. He went on to open Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel, Carson Kitchen in Downtown Las Vegas, and Simon at Palms Place. He also opened restaurants in Atlantic City, Palm Springs, and the Dominican Republic.Simon shared the stories of his career in Rock ‘n’ Roll Chef: The Kerry Simon Cookbook in 2016, the year he passed away from multiple system atrophy. Education Simon studied at the Culinary Institute of America. About Food & Wine Food & Wine, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning online resource for anyone passionate about the culinary world. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel and home coverage, we inspire and empower people everywhere to discover, create, and devour the best in food and wine. Learn more about us and our editorial process.