Clark County NV Archives Obituaries.....Simon, Kerry Glen September 11, 2015
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Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net September 20, 2015, 3:32 pm

Las Vegas Review Journal, 9/20/2015
KERRY SIMON Kerry Glen Simon, of Las Vegas, passed away peacefully Sept. 11, 
2015, with his brothers by his side, after a long battle with multiple systems 
atrophy (MSA), a rare form of Parkinson's disease. Born in Philadelphia, Kerry 
was raised in Seattle prior to the family settling outside of Chicago. Kerry's 
culinary passion and curiosity was sparked as he experimented preparing recipes 
from a Julia Child cookbook after working shifts, flipping pizzas at Little 
Caesar's alongside friend and co-worker, Bill Murray. Working hard, Kerry 
received a scholarship to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde 
Park, N.Y. Upon graduation, Kerry worked under such culinary luminaries as Jean-
Jacque Rachou, Andre Soltner and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. But it was at 
Donald and Ivana Trump's New York Plaza Hotel, in the Edwardian Room kitchen, 
that the chef first achieved his own fame thanks to the countless celebrities 
he served at his private table inside his kitchen. It was a phenomenon, 
Rock 'n' Roll royalty loved Kerry's food. This caught the attention of Rolling 
Stone magazine and, in 1991, they bestowed on Kerry the title of "The Rock 'n' 
Roll Chef." His Rock Star image and movie star good looks along with an A-list 
of musicians, celebrities and close friends earned him his illustrious 
nickname. After globe-trotting to further his culinary education and achieve 
his lifelong dreams, Kerry opened a trio of successful restaurants located in 
Miami, Blue Star, Starfish and Max's. Returning to work alongside his mentor 
Vongerichten, they explored and expanded restaurants worldwide, eventually 
landing the duo state side with their first restaurant and partnership project, 
Bellagio's Prime Steakhouse. Kerry then went on to open dozens of restaurants 
throughout the United States and as far away as the Dominican Republic, all 
reflecting his unique style and twist on comfort food. Simon's Kitchen 
locations in the Hard Rock, in partnership with Elizabeth Blau, and later Palms 
Place became the most popular go-to places in Las Vegas among rock and pop 
stars, actors and other celebrities. Simon L.A. drew a similar crowd in Los 
Angeles. Kerry's remaining Las Vegas restaurant, Carson Kitchen in partnership 
with Cory Harwell and Simon Hospitality, a partnership with Tony Hsieh's 
Downtown Project, has won numerous awards as has Kerry's other establishments 
and has helped redefine the downtown dining scene. Still running strong are 
Chuck's, a Kerry Simon Kitchen in Chicago operated by brother chef Scott Simon, 
Simon Kitchen and Bar in Palm Springs, and Simon Mansion and Supper Club in the 
Dominican Republic. Kerry's rock star legacy will live on through these venues. 
A music fan and accomplished guitarist, Kerry was a mainstay backstage at 
concerts, occasionally joining his superstar friends on stage. In 2007, Led 
Zeppelin flew Kerry to London to cater their much anticipated reunion concert. 
Kerry was a longtime supporter of many local charities, including the Three 
Square Food Bank and Keep Memory Alive, which benefits the Cleveland Clinic Lou 
Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Following his diagnosis, he re-doubled his 
efforts, and co-founded a fund called Fight MSA to benefit Keep Memory Alive. A 
February 2014 all-star benefit dinner and concert raised over half a million 
dollars for that fund. Kerry is survived by his brothers, Glen, Doug and Scott; 
and nieces, Meg Santoro and Sophie Sue Simon. A memorial celebrating the life 
of Kerry Simon, Chef, friend and one of the kindest human beings in the world 
is planned for Oct. 18, in Las Vegas. In lieu of flowers, please make a 
donation to the Kerry Simon Fight MSA fund at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center 
for Brain Health. www.keepmemoryalive.org/ways 
to_contribute/opportunities_to_give/donate

Additional Comments:
The information provided for publication was provided by an outside source and 
is not proven to be correct

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