Jerry Azumah's 'Top Secret' Dinner at Next

(Photo: Leigh Anne Marie)

Ever so often, former Bears star Jerry Azumah will let his Twitter followers know that they can ping him online with questions about football, pop culture or whatever else is on their minds.

On this particular occasion on Tuesday, I joined in on the conversation and randomly asked Azumah about his favorite cuisine. "Asian and Italian" were his answers, but he followed up with "I'll let you know about what I eat tonight. It's top secret."

I didn't think much about it, but silly me. I should have seen this coming a mile away.

Get The $225 Patty Melt For FREE!

(Photos: David Burke's Primehouse)

Here's your chance to get your hands on the ultimate sandwich everyone's been buzzing about.

Last Friday, David Burke's Primehouse debuted a $225 Patty Melt and they managed to sell two.

But not everyone has the $$$ to splurge on such an indulgence, sooooo Executive Chef Rick Gresh has figured out a way to give one away for free.

Lockwood's Greg Elliott Joins 'Chef Week'

Greg Elliott of Lockwood Restaurant (Photo: Palmer House Hilton)

He's worked the line at Naha, served as chef de cuisine at one sixtyblue, and led his own kitchen at Napa Valley's Brannan's Grill, where he delivered approachable, seasonally driven cuisine.

Now Greg Elliott's charged with bringing his version of farm-to-table cooking to Lockwood's kitchen, where he's been since December.

At the Palmer House Hilton's resto, he's doing sensational dishes like a Tallgrass New York strip with duck fat-poached fingerling potatoes, Le Quebecois veal tenderloin with heirloom red brick beans, and a pan-roasted skatewing accompanied by local pumpkin and warm ham hock vinaigrette.

This is something to get excited about! And if you haven't yet dined at Lockwood since Elliott took over, now is the time with the second-annual Chicago Chef Week happening March 20-26.

'Red or White Ball' Snags One Red-Hot Chef

Kith & Kin Executive Chef Andrew Brochu (Photo via StarChefs.com)

Andrew Brochu has been having one hell of a time since taking over executive chef duties at Kith & Kin last fall.

Mega star Matt Damon and his filming crew ate damn near everything on the menu at the seafood-focused resto last December. They also gave the chef and his crew a thrill when they hung out a little.

In January, Brochu and his team won the prestigious Jean Banchet award for Best Neighborhood Restaurant.

And in April, he's set to be one of three high-profile chefs serving the VIPs during an exclusive cocktail reception at the Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council's annual Red or White Ball at Salvage One (1840 W. Hubbard St.).

'Top Chef' Star Gives Props To Chicago

(Photo: Bravo)

CityBuzz recently interviewed the very fabulous Bravo "Top Chef" judge Gail Simmons on her favorite Chicago restaurants, and boy did she gush!

She's apparently a huge fan of everything Paul Kahan and Bill Kim, and makes a point of hitting up their restaurants whenever she's in town.

Someone Bought The $225 Patty Melt!

(Photo: David Burke's Primehouse)

Two diners, at separate tables, actually splurged over the weekend on Primehouse's brand-new, budget-busting burger.

Executive Chef Rick Gresh put the $225 Patty Melt on the menu Friday (and it's sold ONLY on Fridays), and at least one of the customers ordered it as an appetizer, according to a Primehouse staffer.

"He even ordered a steak as an entree," she said.

Wow. That must've been one hell of a tip!

Blackbird's Lynn House a 'Tales' Finalist

Blackbird's star mixologist Lynn House in action. (Photo: Lynn House)

Blackbird's tireless head mixologist Lynn House continues to collect accolades on a very high level.

This time the mega props come from Tales of the Cocktail, which announced Friday the 10 finalists for the event's annual Official Cocktail Competition.

Ryan Poli On Way To Super Stardom?!

He's got A-Lister looks, a bad-boy personality and gorgeous media celebrity girlfriend.

So it was only a matter of time until Ryan Poli hit the big time.

The talented toque—who just recently left his post at Perennial and will oversee the upcoming Tavernita in Chicago and Miami—will be one of four chefs competing on Bravo's newest reality show, Rocco's Dinner Party, that's set to air this summer.