Even though I am a staunch vegetarian, I am also a huge Iron Chef fan. So when I got the opportunity to attend a cooking demonstration by Michael Symon celebrating his new partnership with Bounty paper towels, I jumped at the chance.

It turns out that Michael Symon actually eats stuff other than bacon, who knew? I actually asked him what vegetarian dish he likes best, and he admitted that though he'd love to eat steak and lard fries at every meal, he's a sucker for a light kale salad. Good to know.

Michael Symon is as personable and real in person as he seems on television, which was really nice to find out. I was also shocked to find out that he has a 25-year-old son, because he just doesn't seem old enough. He offered food tips while he cooked (many of which involved Bounty paper towels), and even came around from station to station to zest a lemon into each of our bowls while we were learning how to make his grandma's zucchini fritters.

When it came time to eat, Michael moved through the tables chatting with the guests and being generally charming before dashing off before dessert.

The Menu

An address from Bounty

Seasoning the meat

Pork Chop Milanese with Arugula Salad

Gnocchi and Zucchini Fritters

I got to have a entree-sized Gnocchi as my vegetarian meal

Using a paper towel to drain his pork chop

A group shot! (that's me with the paper towels)

Jessica Kobrin Bernstein is a teacher turned overtired, over-educated SAHM of two. She is NYC born and bred, and is resisting a move to the suburbs with all of her might. She shares parenting rants, recipes and reviews at peekababyny.com. You can also find her on twitter @peekababy on Facebook and on Google+ +peek a baby.