Liz Shanahan, also widely known as Liz Symon, is an American restaurant professional, designer, and longtime business partner of celebrity chef Michael Symon. While Michael became the public face of their restaurants through television and his work as a chef, Liz played an important role behind the scenes.
Her career has included restaurant management, front-of-house work, wine, interior design, and business development. She has worked with Michael on several well-known restaurant projects, especially in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Who Is Liz Shanahan?
Liz Shanahan became publicly known through her work in the restaurant industry and her relationship with Michael Symon. After their marriage, she became known professionally and publicly as Liz Symon, although many people still search for her by her original name.
Unlike Michael, Liz has generally stayed away from the television spotlight. Her work has focused more on the business, design, wine, and guest-experience sides of their restaurants.
Reliable public sources do not provide a complete biography covering Liz Shanahan’s exact birth date, childhood, education, or early family background. For this reason, claims about her precise age or birthplace should be treated carefully unless supported by a reliable source.
Liz Shanahan’s Career in the Restaurant Industry
Liz Shanahan has been closely connected to Cleveland’s restaurant scene for decades. One of the most important projects in her career was Lola, the restaurant that helped establish Michael Symon as a nationally recognized chef.
According to Cleveland Magazine, Michael Symon opened Lola in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood with Liz as his partner. The publication later described Liz as responsible for areas including design, décor, front-of-house operations, and wine.
Her responsibilities show that her role went far beyond simply being the wife of a chef. She helped shape how guests experienced the restaurants from the moment they entered.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Liz Shanahan |
| Also known as | Liz Symon |
| Profession | Restaurant professional, business partner and designer |
| Known for | Restaurant ventures with Michael Symon |
| Husband | Michael Symon |
| Major restaurant association | Lola |
| Main areas of work | Design, décor, front of house and wine |
| Primary restaurant connection | Cleveland, Ohio |
Liz Shanahan and Lola Restaurant
Lola became one of the most important restaurants in Michael and Liz Symon’s careers. It first opened in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood and helped bring wider attention to the city’s food scene.
The couple later became involved in moving Lola to East Fourth Street in downtown Cleveland. The original Tremont location became Lolita, another concept connected with Michael and Liz.
Liz Shanahan’s Role at Lola
Michael focused strongly on food and the kitchen, while Liz contributed to other major parts of the restaurant experience.
Cleveland Magazine reported that she managed design, décor, front of house, and wine at Lola. Her eye for interiors and atmosphere was also highlighted as an important part of the restaurant’s identity.
This division of responsibilities allowed the couple to combine Michael’s cooking with Liz’s focus on hospitality and presentation.
Liz Shanahan and Michael Symon’s Marriage
Liz Shanahan is married to Michael Symon, a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and television personality. Their relationship developed alongside their careers in restaurants.
Cleveland Magazine has reported that Liz knew Michael during the earlier stages of his Cleveland restaurant career and later became both his wife and business partner.
Public accounts of their relationship often focus on the fact that their personal and professional lives have been closely connected for many years. However, many details about their private relationship are not publicly documented and should not be presented as confirmed facts.
Working Together as a Couple
The couple’s partnership has continued across several businesses. In 2005, Michael and Liz joined restaurateur Doug Petkovic to form the Symon Says partnership as they expanded their restaurant interests.
Liz’s role has often centered on areas that complement Michael’s work as a chef, particularly design and the overall dining experience.
Liz Shanahan’s Design and Creative Work
Design has become one of the clearest publicly documented parts of Liz Shanahan’s career.
Her creative influence has appeared across restaurants connected with Michael Symon. Eater described Liz as Michael’s partner in his restaurant ventures while covering the opening of Angeline at the Borgata in Atlantic City.
Her work is not limited to restaurants. Liz and Michael also collaborated on a home and entertaining collection with Frontgate.
Frontgate Collaboration
In a 2025 interview with Lonely Planet, Michael Symon said that Liz had designed the restaurants they had opened together. He also explained that the couple worked jointly on their Frontgate collection.
The collaboration included products designed for entertaining and serving food at home. It showed how Liz’s interest in design extended naturally from restaurants into home dining and hospitality.
Liz Shanahan’s Family and Personal Life
Liz Shanahan has kept much of her personal life private. Most reliable coverage focuses on her marriage, restaurants, and professional partnership with Michael Symon rather than details about her private family life.
Some online biographies make specific claims about her age, childhood, previous relationships, and other personal matters. These details are not always supported by established publications or official sources.
For that reason, it is better to separate documented information from online speculation.
Does Liz Shanahan Have Children?
Public reports have discussed Michael Symon’s relationship with Liz’s son, Kyle. However, detailed information about Liz’s family history remains limited in major reliable sources.
Private family details should therefore not be assumed or expanded beyond information that has been publicly confirmed by trustworthy sources.
Where Is Liz Shanahan Today?
Liz Shanahan continues to be associated with Michael Symon’s hospitality and creative projects.
One recent example is their Frontgate collaboration, where the couple combined their experience in restaurants, entertaining, and design. Michael’s comments about the project also showed that Liz remains an important creative collaborator in his professional life.
Although Michael Symon receives more television and media attention, the documented history of their businesses shows that Liz has played a significant role in creating their restaurants and shaping how they look and operate.
Read More: Gina Martin Wilson: Biography, Family and Life Story
Interesting Facts About Liz Shanahan
- Liz Shanahan is also publicly known as Liz Symon.
- She was Michael Symon’s partner when Lola was established in Cleveland.
- Her work at Lola included restaurant design, décor, wine, and front-of-house responsibilities.
- Liz and Michael were partners in the restaurant company Symon Says with Doug Petkovic.
- She has contributed to the design of restaurant concepts connected with Michael Symon.
- Michael has publicly described Liz as closely involved in designing their restaurants.
- The couple later expanded their creative partnership into home and entertaining products through their Frontgate collection.
- Despite her connection to a famous chef, Liz has maintained a much lower public profile than her husband.
