Kerry Simon, ‘Iron Chef’ Winner & Mainstay Of Las Vegas Food Scene, Dies At 60

Kerry Simon, a former “Iron Chef” champ who served up dishes to rock bands such as Led Zeppelin and Mötley Crüe, has died. He was 60.

His business partner, Cory Harwell, says that Simon died Friday morning at a hospice facility in Las Vegas. Simon was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy, a degenerative neurological disorder, and died from complications related to the disease.

Known as the “rock ‘n’ roll chef,” Simon appeared on “Iron Chef America” in 2005 and beat Cat Cora in a hamburger challenge.

Harwell says Simon did not let his disorder keep him from doing what he wanted to, which was open restaurants. Simon operated restaurants at several Las Vegas hotels including Palms Place and Harrah’s.

Simon is survived by three brothers.