Is hot celeb chef Oprah's next favorite thing?!

Remember this name: Govind Armstrong.

You heard it here first.

Today (Tuesday, Jan. 15) this rising star West Coast chef gets his shot at the big time: The Big O. As in Oprah. The executive chef/partner for Table 8—which will open a fourth location in River North by fall 2008—will be making his signature grilled cheese (with pulled beef short ribs!) on the 9am show (or you can catch it again at 11:05pm tonight!).

Before anyone protests about Table 8 copying off Art Smith's Table 52 (52 W. Elm St., 312-573-4000), know that Table 8 has already been around with locations in South Beach and Los Angeles, with yet another one opening in New York soon. The LA location gets a big celeb fan base, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Janet Jackson and Sir Elton John.

Govind began his culinary training at age 13 working for Wolfgang Puck at the original Spago's. He also trained under Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton at Campanile, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger at City Restaurant, and Joachim Splichal at Patina and Pinot Hollywood.

Partners in Table 8's Chicago outpost are Josh Woodward and Govind as well as local entrepreneurs Johnny Oppenheimer and Duke Miglin (who also own Rednofive, 440 N. Halsted St., and Halsted's Bar & Grill, 3441 N. Halsted St.). We'll keep you posted on the location and opening date.

The busy Govind will be back in Chicago on March 17 for the third-annual World Festival, a chef-driven benefit for Common Threads, an organization helping children learn about other cultures through culinary exercises. In addition to Govind lending his star power to the event, other confirmed chefs include David Burke, Tom "Top Chef" Colicchio, Carrie Nahabedian, Jimmy Bannos, Gale Gand, Terry Crandall, Christophe David, Koren Grieveson, Kevin Hickey, Bill Kim, Sarah Levy, Steve McDonagh, Matthias Merges, Elisa Narrow and Chris Nugent. The event takes place at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660) right after work 6-9pm, and includes a walkaround tasting prepared by the chefs, live and silent auctions and live entertainment. Go to commonthreads.org for ticket information.