Chef, owner of Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland competes on 'Iron Chef'

CLEVELAND - With claims to food fame like Iron Chef Michael Symon and Chris Hodgson’s second-place finish on the “The Great Food Truck Race,” Cleveland is earning its spot on the map. Now, another Cleveland chef looks to improve the city’s cooking character.

The owner of Greenhouse Tavern and Noodlecat, Jonathon Sawyer, will compete on “Iron Chef America.” He will face Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian in a chow challenge using the yet-to-be-revealed secret ingredient.

"Obviously, we're super-excited, but a little bit flustered," Sawyer said. Lucky for Chef Sawyer, this isn’t his first time on the Food Network show. In 2007, Sawyer appeared as sous chef for his then-mentor and employer Michael Symon, helping him to victory and the Iron Chef title.

"If anything, it allowed us not to be nervous, having had some experience going into battle," Sawyer said. "And we're able to portray ourselves well as representatives of Cleveland; smiling, laughing, having some fun and producing good food." Sawyer will also have partner chefs Jonathan Seeholzer and Brian Goodman at his side.

The episode airs Sunday at 10 p.m.