Glamorama's "big" surprise guest?!

Just found out who the "big-time" guest star is going to be at Friday's highly anticipated Glamorama at Chicago Theatre.

Muppet legend Miss Piggy is definitely a style icon, so a retrospective on her impact on high fashion should definitely be the highlight of the production. Attendees will get glass-case views of The Divine Ms. Swine's couture ensembles, which include a Burberry quilted gold trench, a custom-made blue kimono by Jason Wu and a peacock feather dress by Prada.

For Friday's show, we hear she'll be wearing Marc Jacobs.

A little taste of Hed Kandi goes a long way

Cover illustration for Hed Kandi by Jason Brooks


Now that you've gotten over the shock that you won't be getting into any of newly crowned Top Chef Master Rick Bayless's restaurants anytime soon (opentable.com has no reasonable reservations available until well into fall), it's time to move on.

If you've got a big appetite for soulful, electronic house music, indulge in some Hed Kandi, the glamorous U.K.-based deejay collective that's on its way to new West Loop lounge Theatro tonight. Hed Kandi deejays Airloom and Funky Couture kick off the monthly residency with a blow-out bash featuring comped cocktails and light bites from Sushi X until 10pm, plus a visit from lingerie-clad football team Chicago Bliss.

Party happens 8pm-2am Thursday. Cover varies.

Benefits, beats and eats to keep you happy all weekend long:

THURSDAY

Hopefully the bad weather will hold off for the Mile-High Cocktail Club, taking place on C-View's rooftop lounge. SVEDKA Vodka created an "in-flight" cocktail menu just for the occasion, plus the "cabin crew" will serve comped appetizers from C-House. 6-9pm. Free, but RSVP necessary at Chris@expagency.com.

A number of fabulous women in media, PR, fitness, fashion and beauty (including yours truly!) will be honored during Maven's Diva Series Reunion at BOKA. This party benefits PAVE, a nonprofit focusing on the awareness of sexual violence. 8-11pm. $20 with comped appetizers and $8 specialty cocktails.

The St. Jude Summer Sipper's a favorite of the supporters of the venerable children's hospital, and tonight's event happens at Maeve in Lincoln Park. 6-9pm. The $40 ticket includes wine tastings and appetizers.

Every kid needs proper school supplies and books, and WITS is doing its part to make that happen. Their next benefit happens at WAVE, where guests will be treated to summer-focused cocktails and appetizers prepared by Executive Chef Kristine Subido. 7-10pm. One hundred percent of the $55 benefits WITS.



"Cigar Sunday" happens this weekend on Peninsula's fabulous outdoor terrace. (Photo: Peninsula Chicago)


FRIDAY

If you don't make it to Glamorama, Chicago's top fashion event of the year, head to the after-after-party at Underground where R&B super star Ne-Yo is scheduled to make an appearance. Look for him to show up around 1am, but I wouldn't count on him singing. 10pm-4am. $20.

Here's your chance to get a taste of Frontera Grill after all! The award-winning Mexican restaurant, along with the likes of Hot Chocolate, Santorini and Bluebird, caters a benefit for StreetWise, the magazine providing an income to homeless Chicagoans. The party also includes an open bar and goes down at the Rooftop Sculpture Garden (117 N. Jefferson, fourth floor). 6-9:30pm. Get the $100 tickets here.

A Taste of Provence continues through Saturday at Kiki’s Bistro. The French-focused eatery's paying homage to Julia Child with regional wine and cuisine specials, including monkfish with Ratatouille and tomato coulis.

SUNDAY

Instead of the usual brunch, why not partake in Red Light's delicious BBQ benefit for farmers Tracey Vowell (a former Topolobampo chef) and Kathe Roybal of Three Sisters Garden?! Participating chefs include Giuseppe Tentori (BOKA) and Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris (Prairie Grass Cafe), Mark Mendez (Carnivale), Jolene Worthington (Eli's Cheesecake) and chefs from Frontera Grill/Topolobampo. Noon-3pm. $50 (tickets not available at door; must be purchased at participating restaurants).

Here's one for the cigar enthusiast: Cigar Sunday returns to the terrace at Peninsula, where you can smoke stogies, sip single-malt scotch and bond with other like-minded luxaholics. 5-10pm. No cover; RSVP required at diningpch@peninsula.com.

MONDAY

And McDonald's Filet-O-Fish will have nothing on C-House's new C-Wich, now available on the lunch menu. It's stacked with house-made crab cake between a brioche bun with coconut gribiche, and served with a side of seasonal apple slaw and tomato-corn salad. Today through Aug. 28, you can get it for $5 (regularly $15). Other $5 offerings during the promotion include C-House fries with housemade ketchup; decadent chorizo mac & cheese with local goat cheese; and white wine spritzers.

(Top Chef) Master of His Domain!

(Photo: Rick Bayless)


Felicidades to the first-ever Top Chef Master Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill/Topolobampo), you make Chicago proud!

While Bayless himself gushed out only two words on Twitter—"Party's starting!"—his fans had plenty to say about his big win:

asupsiri: "Rick Bayless: the Top Chef Master!! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy - and gotta love that he reps both Mexican cuisine and Chicago!!"



The scene from Frontera Grill during the finale party—from Bayless's iPhone. (Photo: Rick Bayless)


HitnRunTony: "Fuck yeah! Chicago's own, The king of Mexican cuisine Rick Bayless is The Top Chef Master. He said it himself 'VIVA MEXICO!'"

bitchyshitty: "New food guy crush: Rick Bayless."

cacoperez: "Very good finish to Top Chef Masters. Rick Bayless was the winner. I'm finally going to try Frontera Grill in a couple of weeks."



Bayless at celebratory party at Frontera Grill, telling guests that it took him 20 years to learn the mole recipe. (Photo: Ellen Malloy)


Mario_10: "All three Top chef masters were brilliant but Rick Bayless is 1 step ahead. Love the fact that Rick is genuine and loves da Mexican culture."

marycaryne: "Congratulations to Rick Bayless for winning Top Chef Master and $100,000 for the Frontera Farmer Foundation!!!"

TallGrassBeef: "Congratulations to our good friend Rick Bayless, the winner of Top Chef Master tonight! Way to go!"

Ladygourmet: "Yay for Rick Bayless and his victory in the Top Chef Masters competition!"

Check out the Chicago Tribune's story on Bayless's win here.

Two Chicago chefs host The Big Ten Cookout

Julius Russell, new co-host for "The Big Ten Cookout" (Photo: Big Ten Network)


It's a touchdown for Chicago!

This fall, not one, but two local chefs have been tapped by the Big Ten Network to bring an exciting gourmet twist to the typical tailgaiting party.

Julius Russell of A Tale of Two Chefs and former Rhapsody chef Ben Walanka—who made it to the finals on FOX's Hell's Kitchen—will host The Big Ten Cookout on Saturday mornings beginning Sept. 5.



Ben Walanka, new co-host for "The Big Ten Cookout" (Photo: Big Ten Network)


Each week, the chefs join different tailgaters and taste their dishes and then try to enhance and introduce them to clever ways to better feed their teams.

I'm not much of a football fan, but I'll certainly tune it to see what they whip up!

Check your local listings for channels/schedule.

Radhika rocks Kit Kat for Top Chef parties

(Photo: Radhika Desai)


Look for a familiar face at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club during the next Top Chef season, beginning tonight.

Radhika Desai, former chef at Between Boutique Cafe and Lounge, competed last season when the show took place in New York.

She'll host weekly viewing parties at the offbeat Lakeview eatery that'll include cocktail demos, Q&As and the show on five large screens with sound. For the season premiere, she'll shake up The Slumdog, that's made with Goslings Rum, pineapple juice, fresh mint and candied ginger. Of course, Kit Kat's offering free samples of the cocktail, plus half-price martinis and buy-one-get-one entrees.

Premiere night includes Radhika's demo (8-9pm), followed by the premiere of Top Chef: Las Vegas (8-9pm), Top Chef Masters Finale (9-10pm) and finally the Q&A (10pm).

Also look forward to special guest appearances at upcoming viewing parties by former Top Chef contenders Jill Snyder, Lauren Hope and Ariane Duarte.

Mr. Skin party doesn't disappoint

For those of you who missed Mr. Skin's 10th anniversary party Tuesday at Roof, here's a highlight. (Photo: floozefactor/Flickr)

New night spots for West Town, River North

Clutch's huge outdoor patio is only a stone's throw from long-time West Town favorite Twisted Spoke—which boasts an awesome rooftop lounge. (Photo: Courtesy of Urban Daddy Chicago)


Urban Daddy discovers an abandoned West Town auto repair shop that's been transformed into neighborhood hang Clutch—destined to become famous for its deep-fried hot dogs:

"There's The Ripper—the aforementioned deep-fried dog, slathered with tangy mustard-onion relish—and the Clutcheasy, a third-pound burger that's completely enveloped with a half-pound of crusty cheese."

Also in nightlife news, 312DD had the scoop on Cuvee way back in December, when an Ultimate Insider revealed that Latin-laced club Buzz was closing in favor of a more mainstream spot from the guys behind Enclave.

But what we didn't know was the bar's concept. Metromix reports it's a "super-exclusive spot for the city's elite and in-town celebs to sip from a list of worldly sparkling wines and champagne cocktails." Also, "There is not currently a guest list in place and the door policy and cover charge parameters are still up in the air at this point." WTF?!

On its first weekend, they did manage to attract reality "stars" Khloe and Kortney Kardashian, and a bonified celebrity, Vince Vaughan.

We will see how long the "super exclusive" concept lasts before the reality of the recession sets in . . . Oh, and let's not forget the fact that they've got heavy-duty competition right across the street from the already established after-hours VIP lounge RiNo.

BBQ, Beer & Beats

Summer's winding down, but it's never too late to take a barbecue grilling class. Smoke Daddy's hosting one on its patio, which includes a half-slab of Baby Back ribs, roasted peppers, grilled steak fries, two Coronas and a bottle of Smoke Daddy sauce to take home. Starts at 8pm tonight. $30.

Head to the Warehouse District's Bottom Lounge for the free tastings by McAuslan Brewing, Quebec's foremost micro-brewery. Guests will sample the likes of St-Ambroise Pale Ale, as well as St-Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale, The Great St-Ambroise Pumpkin Ale and the award-winning St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (back on draft in Chicago following a 10-year hiatus). 6-10pm tonight. Free.

If you'd rather sip cocktails, Brasserie JO is your spot tonight. They're continuing the Summer Spirits Class with a lesson on French liqueurs that includes tastings and passed appetizers. You'll sample the Martini JO, Summer Thyme, La Violette and Kir Royal Alsace. 6:30-7:30pm. Reservations required; $1.01.

If you get off from work early, treat yourself to one of the Roman-style pizzas at Pizzeria Via Stato, in River North. We prefer to sit on the patio watching the bustling State Street action, while chowing down on pies made with housemade sausage, hand-pulled mozzarella or seasonal vegetable toppings. They're all half-price 2:30-4:30pm Monday-Friday.

More scrumptious Italian fare's on special at Follia, where guests get to enjoy a $28 four-course prix-fixe menu offered every Tuesday and Wednesday. You'll get your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, pasta, entree and dessert.

And Blue 13's final Summer Rock 'N' Roll Dinner happens Wednesday. The theme, The Bands That Shaped The '90s, includes music from Nirvana, Soul Coughing, Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam complementing each course. Dinner starts promptly at 7:15pm and reservations are required. $50.