According to this story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, written by food and restaurants editor Joe Crea, Michael Symon was always under the impression that his gig on Food Network's "Dinner: Impossible" was a temporary one. Irvine will be restored to his starring role in March, Symon's substitution acting as a smack on Irvine's wrist and a cool-down period for viewers who were outraged at Irvine's autobiographical embroideries, all of which played out on the pages of the St. Petersburg Times in February.

In a statement to the media, Food Network spokeswoman Carrie Welch said, "Our audience has continued to demonstrate its interest in and support for Robert. He has taken responsibility and made a conscious effort to clear the air, rebuild the relationship with Food Network and apologize for the earlier inaccuracies."

Symon indicated that, at least in his mind, "there was a 95 percent chance that he'd be coming back." Despite this turn of events, Symon is satisfied with his other Food Network ventures, from parts on The Next Food Network Star to a major role in Iron Chef: America and other new concepts in development.