Liz Shanahan (aka Liz Sanderson) is the wife of Michael Symon, an American chef, and restaurateur. Her husband is also a veteran TV personality who appears in popular Food Network shows such as Iron Chef America, Food Feuds, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate as well.
Apart from this, the couple is leading a happy married life for years now. The big question here is, How did the two first meet? Also know does Michael Symon have kids?
In the article, we also include Shanahan’s family details and numerous unheard facts you are looking for. Stay with us!
Who is Liz Shanahan? Her Parents and Early Life
Michael Symon’s wife Liz was born in March 1962, in Berea, Ohio. She is the daughter of Russell Sanderson. Her father went to Berea High School and later graduated from Kent State University. She spent the majority of her childhood in Berea with her family.
source: Facebook
Shanahan also graduated from Berea High School. Besides, her nationality is American, and belongs to the Caucasian ethnicity.
How Many Siblings Does Liz Shanahan Have?
Liz has two siblings; a sister named Heather J Sanderson and a brother Russel Sanderson. He went to BBS Einbeck, a high school in Germany. He later went on to enroll at Harvard College. Russell used to work at US Senate.
Talking about her sister, Heather earned P.E. Bachelor of Science in education at Cleveland State University. She previously worked as an AGM at Covelli Enterprises/Panera Bread. She currently serves as an Elementary School Teacher at Rennaissance Charter School.
How Did Liz Shanahan and Husband Michale Symon First Meet?
The couple first came across the same year when Symon graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1990. The then 20-year-old young culinary school graduate started working at a 40-seat restaurant called Players. He met his future wife Liz at a restaurant where she used to manage the front of the house.
Source: YouTube
The chef told The New York Times that he “was impressed by the way she carried herself. She was very pretty and has a presence.”
Liz And Michael Were Friends Before They Began Dating
The two wouldn’t start dating in their first encounter and remained close mates for a long time. Michael Symon’s wife herself said,
“We had a great friendship first and that helps because you learn to like the person you’re with. With Michael, I’ve learned I don’t always have to be right. I don’t always have to be first.”
In 1994, the budding chef moved to another restaurant called Caxton Cafe. Apparently, they needed a manager and Michael called Liz for the job which she accepted.
With time, their bonding started growing strong day by day. The culinary expert told The New York Times they gradually shared something deeper than friendship,
“We’d get done with work, the staff would go out together, we’d get drinks, then we’d make out and think, ‘That was a bad idea, we should just be friends.’ Then a week would pass, we’d go out again, and the same thing would happen.”
The two subsequently started dating. After a couple of months, they also moved in together.
Also Read: Who Is Kyle Shanahan Wife? Some Untold Facts Here
Michael Borrowed an Engagement Ring From His Friend
Liz Shanahan and her boyfriend-turned-husband Michael dated for two years before they got engaged. Symon proposed to his girlfriend after he borrowed a ring from his colleague because he didn’t have any money at the time.
Liz tied the knot with her hubby on 1st November 1998. Their wedding ceremony was held at the Pilgrim Church, in Cleveland.
Liz Has a Son From Her Previous Marriage
Shanahan shares a son named Kyle Symon with her first husband. The details of Kyle’s biological father never came to the media. Besides, the young boy shares a deep bond with his stepdad, Michael. In May 2020, the chef posted a photo of his wife and stepson on the occasion of Mother’s Day.
Source: Instagram
Liz Shanahan’s Son Kyle Has Also Followed In His Stepfather’s Footsteps
Kyle once decided to open his own coffee shop. Subsequently, he made his move to East Hampton, New York, and began hunting for storefronts. However, they were too expensive (around $20,000 a month) which he wouldn’t be able to afford at the time.
Michael’s stepson then started doing jobs at Kmart and at a historical-society thrift store. Three years later, Kyle found an affordable space in nearby Sag Harbor. However, numerous established coffee shops were already in the town. His idea flopped at one point but his stepdad suggested he think about ways to broaden the menu of his shop with sandwiches and doughnuts.
He told Magzter,
“When Michael mentioned doughnuts, I loved the idea right away. Doughnuts are fun,you can walk around holding them and they would distinguish us.”
In August 2016, Kyle also started Grindstone Coffee and Donuts, in Sag Harbor, New York. His hard work and investment eventually paid off. He told, “I was working 18 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Liz Shanahan Career: She Owns A Restaurant
Liz is now a co-owner of Lola Bistro with her spouse. It is nestled in Cleveland, Ohio. The restaurant offers exceptional meals that include beef cheek pierogies, impeccably prepared meats, and seafood.
It gained huge reviews. Gourmet magazine named the restaurant as one of America’s Best Restaurants in its October 2000 issue.
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Together, the duo has also opened a number of other restaurants such as Parea, in New York City, Roast, a restaurant at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Bar Symon in Avon Lake, Ohio, and more.
Liz’s Husband Symon is a TV personality And Cookbook Author
In addition to his restaurant business, Michael has appeared in numerous Food Network TV shows such as Burgers, Brew and ‘Que, and more. He was also featured on The Crew, Cook Like an Iron Chef.
Moreover, Symon has co-authored several books such as Michael Symon’s Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen with Ruhlman, The Chew: Food. Life. Fun alongside fellow Iron Chef Mario Batali, and many others.
Her Hubby Michael Is a Tattoo Lover
As you might already know, Liz’s partner Michael loves tattoos and he has a number of them on his body. In fact, he has so many tattoos that he has lost count. During one of the interviews, when asked about his tattoos, he stated that he might have already spent over 200 hours getting inked.
According to him, he got his first tattoo when he was in high school, which was a cartoon of a devil. His tattoos include diagrams of primal cuts, and also an angelic ‘got pork’ tattoo on his shoulder.
Liz Shanahan’s Net Worth
Her net worth is $100,000. Besides, her man Michael Symon has an estimated wealth of $6 million. He has collected the majority of his wealth from his cooking career and many other endeavors.
