One Guy Really Loves That Chicken . . .

You may remember Daniel Kibblesmith as the quirky and nerdy Chicago bachelor from Groupon featured recently on an episode of Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker.

His latest stunt makes me wonder if he is indeed a bonified millionaire because if he is, why is he writing an open letter to Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits to sponsor his birthday party on Sunday?!

Here's what he wrote, in a nutshell:

Two Chicago Bartenders Vie For $5K Prize

Jason Cevallos of The Office at The Aviary. (Photo: Jason Cevallos)

BIG props also go out to mixologists Jason Cevallos (The Office, Folklore) and Matthew Tiddes (McCormick & Schmick's), who made it to the finals of the Angostura Bitters North American Cocktail Challenge.

The talented 'tenders are set to compete next Tuesday during a private event at Victor Hotel for a $5,000 grand prize, trip to Trinidad and the chance to rep North America in the Angostura Bitters Global Cocktail Challenge.

Cevallos is shaking up Horchata and Peach, while Tiddes is doing
Ron Bailarin and The Conquistador.

Here's what their competitors plan to whip up:

Congrats Are In Order . . .

Mexican-focused restaurateur Rick Bayless.

Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill/Topolobampo/Xoco) is the only local chef to make the cut in FOOD & WINE Best of the Best Cookbook Recipes Vol. 14 ($32.95).

His Fiesta At Rick's, which was co-written by his wife, Deann Groen Bayless, was one of 25 books selected. The collection includes never-before-published recipes from additional top chefs and authors, dozens of wine pairings from Food & Wine's experts, and stunning color photographs.

Here's the entire list of all 25 best cookbooks of the year:

The 'Rib-a-Que Smokeout' Winners!

Socca chef/owner Roger Herring won the expert judges' vote at the "Rib-a-Que Smokeout" Saturday. (Photos: Moonshine)

Hundreds of meat lovers braved the chill on Saturday for the fourth-annual Rib-a-Que Smokeout at Moonshine as amateur chefs went up against the pros for bragging rights of who makes the best BBQ.

There were 16 competitors in all, but in the end, SmallBar won the "people's choice" award, while Socca beat all contenders, according to a panel of celebrity media judges. Both winners took home a Gilded Grill and $350 in cash.