Epicure_pages_96-147_USE_Layout 1 7/18/12 11:52 AM Page 103
SECOND ANNUAL LOS ANGELES FOOD & WINE
KERRY SIMMON
NONA SIVLEY
In his late teens, the Chicago native worked at Little Caesars Pizza to save money for an electric guitar. The summer job sparked Simon’s interest in food and late-night recipe testing from Julia Child’s cookbook. At the age of 20 he enrolled in the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. One of the first chefs on the Las Vegas scene, Kerry Simon continues to reinvent himself in the city he calls home. Dubbed the rock-n-roll chef by Rolling Stone magazine, the aspiring musician’s love for cooking did not start right away. In 1998, Vongerichten needed a corporate chef and Simon joined his friend to launch and oversee restaurants in Las Vegas, New York, Hong Kong, London and Chicago. When Mercer Kitchen in New York City and Prime in Las Vegas opened, Simon split his time between the two coast’s, holding positions of partner and executive chef at both restaurants. In Las Vegas, Simon first met his future business partner Elizabeth Blau, and together, they opened Simon kitchen + bar at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2002. An overnight success, the restaurant was selected as one of “America’s Best New Restaurants” by Esquire magazine. Los Angeles was the next step for the Iron Chef America winner, who has many friends in the entertainment industry. In 2006 he and Blau opened SIMON LA in Hollywood and LA Market at the JW Marriott Los Angeles LA Live where he works alongside Hell’s Kitchen winner, Nona Sivley
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana and raised in Texas and Northern Virginia, Nona Sivley grew up with a childhood passion for the legal system—until she discovered the culinary arts. While in college, Sivley discovered her true calling in the culinary world while catering celebrations for family and friends. Her love of watching guests savor and enjoy their food led her to leave the classroom to pursue a career as a chef. With her newfound love for cooking, Sivley embarked on a journey into the culinary world that now leads her to her position as Chef de Cuisine of LA Market Restaurant by Kerry Simon. Dedicated to honing her craft, Sivley enrolled in The Culinary School of Fort Worth where she graduated as a Chef Professional in 2008. Sivley, a true Texan at heart, entered the salsa challenge at ZestFest in 2008 and won first place. Upon graduation, Sivley took a position as a cook at Ultimate Cuisine in Fort Worth before moving to Granbury, Texas to become the sous chef of Café Nutt. No stranger to cooking competitions, Sivley entered herself in the grueling eighth season of Hell’s Kitchen where she once again took the top spot. A true southerner, Sivley brings a passion for the region’s cuisine to LA Market and is looking forward to broadening her experiences as a chef in Kerry Simon’s globally-inspired kitchen. When not in the kitchen at LA Market, Sivley spends time with her husband and young son.
WEEKEND APPEARANCES 1.) Friday, August 10 12:00 PM - Lunch at LA Market 2.) Saturday, August 11 12:00 PM - Lexus Grand Tasting - Saturday
WEEKEND APPEARANCES 1.) Friday, August 10 12:00 PM - Lunch at LA Market 2.) Saturday, August 11 12:00 PM - Lexus Grand Tasting - Saturday
103