If you’re a fan of Bravo’s Top Chef and only slightly plugged in to Chicago’s culinary scene, you know they’re filming season four right here in our fair city. A few weels ago, I spotted camera crews at the Lincoln Park farmer’s market. They dodged my questions, but I put the two and two together.

 As such, it is with great pleasure that this blog highlights the sightings and rumors of the chefs as they make there way about Chicago, choosing from our best produce, butchered meats and spices. 

This past Friday, the sub-starlettes dished up something quite tasty for meals on wheels. Well, not actually meals on wheels but a meals on wheels celebrity chef ball–which is, as you’ll see, significantly different. The theme for this year’s event was the elements, giving the show’s contestants sufficient inspiration for the delectable. 

“Since I was at the dinner helping one of my old chef friends, Christopher Prosperi of Connecticut’s Metro Bis, plate up his course (a delicious southwest “martini” of shrimp, avocado, tomato, onion and tequila), I couldn’t get out of the kitchen to ask what all of the courses were, but this is what we figured out. “Earth” tables got beef carpaccio with chanterelles; “fire” tables had fire grilled shrimp with spices and a spicy cucumber salad; “wind” tables had sliced duck paired with a pomegranate-wine shooter; “water” tables had salmon with orange segments and an orangey-foam.” 

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2007/10/top-chef-heats-.html

Now if we can only get THOSE meals on wheels, eh?  

If you know a good slice of rye when you taste one, or the perfect place for a crusty baguette, Tribune’s good eating section wants to know about it. Apparently, there are a few newbies to the city who can’t seem to find a decent roll or even a slice of white, for that matter. But we know Chicago does more than just pizza dough and hot dog buns. Share your suggestions at: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2007/10/carb-lovers-uni.html

What better way to usher in the changing season than with a  steaming, crusty, whip-cream topped, slice of apple pie?  Our friends in Bucktown, are serving up a pie contest, live bluegrass and pumpkin carving this Sunday. To enter a pie is $10, but if you just want to go for some good eats, that’s free. More info at:

http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/food/2007/10/11/pies-prize/

We’ve all eaten meatloaf. We probably all complained a few times when we saw it on the lunch menu at school, or found out it was what mom had planned for dinner that night, yet remarkably when we make it into adulthood there comes day — we all know that day — when we find ourselves craving this once lackluster dish. Why? Researchers are still unsure. My guess is it’s the same impetus that moves us to at once desire and reject our blankie when we were five.

The time has come to pay up for all this bad mouthing and give this dish its due. Announcing: MEATLOAF APPRECIATION DAY. Yes, our favorite loaf get’s a day to shine. You have some time but start preparing now. Polish the pan and grind up the bread crumbs. Post your dish to your blog by Tuesday and Thursday you may join the meatloaf roundup for the official day. Yum Yum.

More info at: http://www.seriouseats.com/required_eating/2007/09/announcing-national-meatloaf-appreciation-day.html

This Thursday we

It’s time to raid the family archives for your tried and true holiday cookie recipes. The Tribune is looking to award the “out of the ordinary,” “distinctive” and downright delicious $200 or Crate & Barrel gift certificates. Sorry, no word on if they’re also looking for judges. For more details check: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/chi-cookie_contest_10oct10,0,773007.story