Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- While chef Michael Symon ran two restaurants, Lola Bistro and Lolita, in his native Cleveland this past decade, he also found time for charity work.

A fixture on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” Symon has contributed work and money to Share Our Strength, a Washington-based charity that works to alleviate childhood hunger. He also helped fund construction of a cafeteria at Cleveland’s pre-K-8 Urban Community School.

“I was one of those kids who barely made it through high school, so to be able to raise money for causes you feel strongly about is an honor,” said Symon, 40, who was a star student at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

Symon will show off his Iron Chef chops at “Cook Eat Drink Live,” a food and wine festival starting tonight in Manhattan. The fundraiser at Chelsea’s The Tunnel/La.Venue will benefit Action Against Hunger, a New York-based charity that runs health clinics and provides medicine, food and water to the needy in 40 countries.

He’ll prepare small plates of hanger steak with pickled chilies and veal chops Milanese with arugula and oven-roasted tomatoes. New York chefs from more than 25 restaurants, including Telepan, Aleo and One If by Land, Two If by Sea, will prepare food for more than 5,000 attendees during the next three days.

New York State wines from Chateau LaFayette Reneau and Eagle Crest, cocktails and gourmet teas will be served.

Symon, who became a celebrity chef when he won the “Next Iron Chef” competition in 2007, also makes his debut as an author this week.

New Book

“Michael Symon’s Live to Cook: Recipes and Techniques to Rock Your Kitchen” (Clarkson Potter) shows readers how to make some of his favorite dishes.

“I give recipes away all the time,” said Symon, who has more than 1,000 cookbooks at home. “It gives young cooks and home cooks a good foundation to build on.”

Symon said many dishes his mother, Angel, cooked still reign supreme. She is of Sicilian-Greek descent and taught him kitchen basics. His father, Dennis, who has Ruthenian bloodlines, made potato pancakes his specialty.

“I have a super soft spot in my heart for my mom’s lasagna,” Symon said. “I still go over to her house twice a month for lasagna nights.”

“Cook Eat Drink Live” starts today from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and continues on Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Tunnel/La.Venue, 608 W. 28th St. in Manhattan. Tickets are $65. Information: http://www.cookeatdrinklive.com. To buy Symon’s cookbook in North America, click here.

To contact the writer on this story: Patrick Cole in New York at pcole3@Bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 6, 2009 00:01 EST