Michael Symon has just inked his first post-Iron Chef restaurant deal. The chef has committed to a consultancy deal with Starwood Hotels to open a restaurant in Detroit's Westin Book-Cadillac, a 1924 gem currently undergoing a $180 million renovation. The 120-seat restaurant is expected to open next fall. "It's an American brasserie themed around heritage meats," Symon explained. The highest quality beef, pork, lamb, bison, boar and other meats will be spit-roasted, wood-grilled, smoked, braised and cured. No doubt we'll be driving to the Motor City to sample wild boar short ribs, bison prime rib and braised rabbit. Sides like smoky beans with pancetta, lemony potatoes and pastichio will be served family-style. "I wish I thought of this concept before," Symon noted. "It would work great here in Cleveland." As the consulting chef, Symon will develop the concept and menu, hire and train staff, and manage the overall operation. He will not, he promises, be leaving Cleveland. In other Symon news: The chef has partnered with Cleveland author Michael Ruhlman to publish his first cookbook, titled Symon Says: Live to Cook. "The book will be like a story of my life in food," says Symon. Recipes will trace the chef's trajectory from childhood, through culinary school, all the way up to Iron Chefdom.

Kashmir Palace in North Olmsted has changed names and ownership. Jay Patel has purchased the Indian restaurant, which has been open about 15 years, and renamed it Flavors of India (26703 Brookpark Rd. Ext., 440.779.5774). A two-week close around the first of the year gave Patel the opportunity to freshen up the décor. "If you liked it before, you'll love it now," Patel promises. He has hired a chef who has introduced many authentic new dishes, like nilgiri korma, vegetables in cilantro sauce with coconut milk. "We want to change people's conception of an Indian restaurant," adds Patel.

The 14th Annual Cleveland's Finest Hors d'Oeuvre Contest, which benefits Our Lady of the Wayside, will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Myers University Club (3813 Euclid Ave.). The sell-out event pits chef against chef in a friendly competition to dish up the tastiest hors d'oeuvre. This year's participants include Carrie Cerino's, Corleone's, Fahrenheit, Henry's at the Barn, John Q's, Johnny's Downtown, Parallax, Rock Bottom, Sammy's Catering, the Woods, and World's Fare Culinary. Tickets are $80 per person. To make a reservation call 440.871.0931.