"Rock 'n roll chef" and Las Vegas restaurateur Kerry Simon has been fighting a severe and rare form of Parkinson's disease called MSA, multiple system atrophy. The Las Vegas Sun speaks with Simon who says that he has battled the condition for about five years, though things have been getting worse. Simon, a fitness buff who won his Iron Chef episode, is now using a wheelchair and is on a serious physical therapy regiment.
Simon is behind several Vegas restaurants including Simon, KGB, and Pork & Beans plus restaurants in Chicago (Chuck's: A Kerry Simon Kitchen) and Los Angeles (Simon LA, LA Market). He is still directly involved with the operations at his restaurant empire, though he notes that "it's freaking tough keeping that busy" and that senior members of his team have stepped up. At this point, his doctors say his "long-term diagnosis is not good" as there is currently no cure. Says Simon: "I love what I do, and it gives me great inspiration every day to keep moving forward. Now, if only my body would cooperate with the rest of me."
· Chef Kerry Simon is battling aggressive form of Parkinson's [Las Vegas Sun]
· All Kerry Simon Coverage on Eater [-E-]
[Photo: Kerry Simon]