'Top Chef Chicago:' Take 1

Stephanie Izard still cookin' on "Top Chef Chicago."


Whew. Local culinary stars Valerie Bolon and Stephanie Izard aren't forced to "pack their knifes and go" during the first episode of "Top Chef Chicago," reports The Stew.

Deal(s) of the day . . .

Shecky’s Girl’s Night Out event returns to the Great Hall at Union Station (210 S. Canal St.) today and tomorrow 5-10pm, with free drinks, beauty treatments, and up to 75 percent off designer merchandise. It's only $10 to get in (or $30 for admission and a goody bag). Purchase a group of tickets with girlfriends to receive up to 20 percent off. Advance tickets are required; buy them at chicago.sheckys.com.

And "Top Chef Chicago" debuts tonight at 9pm on Bravo! Watch the action at spots like Cans (1640 N. Damen Ave., 773-227-2277) for the $1 sliders and half price on cocktails, plus Halsted's Bar + Grill (3441 N. Halsted St., 773-348-9696), Citizen Bar (364 W. Erie St., 312-640-1156) or Piece (1927 W. North Ave., 773-772-4422), which also has $3 well cocktails, to cheer on local chefs Valerie Bolon and Stephanie Izard. A gripe: Tonight's first challenge for "Top Chef" is pizza. Now how can they do this and not get a local chef or food writer as a guest judge?! I'm just sayin' . . .