The Apple (Pie) Of Your Eye . . .

Break out that old family recipe because the annual Bucktown Apple Pie Contest is 2-5pm Sunday in Holstein Park (2200 N. Oakley St.).

Even better this year is that Tru's freaking fabulous executive pastry chef Gale Gand (who incidentally guest judged the most dramatic episode to date of "Top Chef Just Desserts" this week!) is one of the judges, so you need to be on your A-game, people.

Your Ticket To Celebrity Chef Ball is Waiting

C-House's Pastry Chef Toni Roberts (from left), partner/chef Marcus Samuelsson and Executive Chef Nicole Pederson at last year's "Celebrity Chef Ball." (Meals on Wheels)


More than 100 readers entered the contest to win free tickets to Meals on Wheels' annual Celebrity Chef Ball, taking place Oct. 15.

All you had to do to be eligible to win was answer this question correctly:

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

"The Lion King" returns to Cadillac Palace Theatre Oct. 6-Nov. 27. (Photo: Disney)


Every Tuesday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and/or after the show:

Collaboraction's Beggars' Banquet at Salvage One (1840 W. Hubbard St.). This traveling theatrical group knows how to throw a bash, so you don't want to miss the wildest dinner party of the year. This time around it's working an "Arabian Nights" theme inspired by current production, "1001," onstage at Chopin Theatre (1543 W. Division St.) through Oct. 9. The venue will be transformed into a Persian fantasia, and Ali B. and his 40 Thieves host. Guests will enjoy an open bar, dessert, belly dancers, snake charmers and more than 40 characters from the stories of the "Arabian Nights" performing throughout the space. 9:30pm-midnight Friday (or 7:30pm for a ticket to "1001" and after-party). Get tickets here.

'I'll Have The Lurch, Please!'

If you were an "Addams Family" fan back in the day, you should get a thrill from these specially themed cocktails now on the menu at Custom House Tavern.

The South Loop restaurant's mixologist Denise Beckman has whipped up whimsical creations in honor of each character, like our absolute favorite, Lurch. That one's simple, but guaranteed to give you a buzz with Dewar's Scotch, Aperol and Carpano Antico Sweet Vermouth.

Here's the rest of the menu:

'Man vs. Food' Star Has One Helluva Temper

Maybe he was having a severe case of indigestion.

Or perhaps he was coming down from a serious sugar-induced high.

Whatever the case, Adam Richman—star of pig-out Travel Channel show "Man vs. Food"—did not take kindly to those criticizing his show last week.

It all started with this interview with Food Network's Alton Brown, who called Richman's show "gluttonous" and "disgusting."

Richman immediately lashed out on Twitter at not only Brown in defense of his show, but also anyone else who criticized him, including a Chicago bartender who works at a popular West Loop lounge.

Party With Chicago's Celeb Chefs For Free!

Sixteen Executive Chef Frank Brunacci blowing off steam at last year's "Celebrity Chef Ball" at Macy's. (Meals on Wheels)


This is the biggest chef-focused fete of the year, and you don't want to miss it.

312DD doesn't want you to miss out on going to Meals on Wheels' Celebrity Chef Ball either—which raises enough money for more than 70,000 meals for elderly and disabled residents throughout Chicago—so I've worked out a way for you to win free tickets.

What Will Happen When Avec Re-Opens . . .

(Photo: Doug Fogelson/DRFP)


Word is West Loop nosh spot avec is set to open very soon, according to a tweet from partner Paul Kahan, and TimeOut's got the deets:

Booze News You're Certain To Use

Sable's head bartender Mike Ryan and Master Sommelier Emily Wines will compete in a wine vs. whiskey challenge at the restaurant in October. (Photo: Kimpton Restaurants)


Whiskey vs. wine. How can you possibly make up your mind?!

You'll get your chance to decide which pairs best with bites during a special dinner at Kimpton's Sable Kitchen & Bar in October.

The restaurant's master sommelier Emily Wines (Yes, that's really her name!) competes against head bartender Mike Ryan during an interactive bottle battle that's supposed to complement three dishes from Sable's seasonal, ingredient-driven gastro menu.