Padma Praises Chicago 'Top Chef' Contestants

Bravo's Top Chef Texas premiere turned out to be red hot as the competition was seriously turned up with 29 chef-testants fighting to stay in the game.

The twist this season is that only 16 of those chefs would get to remain on the show for the real competition. Six of the chefs hailed from Chicago, and in the opening episode five of them made it to the real competition.

Who made it in?!

New Group Moves Into Old 33 Club Space

The former 33 Club interior will look entirely different when it reopens as a new concept. (Photo: 33 Club)

312DD broke the news of all the drama that went down at the 33 Club in Old Town.

Now here's the latest on that coveted space:

Spiaggia Snags Table Fifty-Two Pastry Chef

Celeste "CeCe" Campise with her pastries. (Photo: Table Fifty-Two)

Congrats are in order for Table Fifty-Two's pastry chef Celeste "CeCe" Campise, who's leaving the upscale Southern-focused restaurant for the Michelin-starred Spiaggia.

"My last day at Table is this Friday," Campise tells 312DD exclusively. "It was tough to leave Art (Smith) because I love him so much, but it's time to move back to the Italian roots!"

This is super exciting news for Spiaggia, which now boasts two talented head female chefs. Campise joins Executive Chef Sarah Grueneberg—who's one of six Chicagoans competing this season on Top Chef Texas.

Looking forward to seeing what she does. I already know that she makes sinfully delicious doughnuts!

Speakeasy, Bottomless Mimosas & More . . .

Some events to get you through the week—and beyond:

Frontier's "speakeasy" event happens every other Wednesday, beginning Nov. 2. That's when you'll get a number of classic Templeton Rye cocktails, including Manhattans and Cherry Smashes for $5. The "speakeasy" part comes in when you RSVP at speakeasychi@gmail.com to get directions on how to enter through a secret door. Live music by Jonathan Marks of Hey Champ and guests will be entered to win a $50 bar tab for every specialty speakeasy cocktail they purchase. 8pm every other Wednesday. No cover.

Seems like everyone's doing a boozy brunch these days. Last week I told you about the $15 bottomless Mimosas at MorSo, and now two more spots are getting in on that action. You can also get them at The Bedford and 25 Degrees every Sunday during brunch hours.

Schwa Staff Dons Costumes at Next Dinner

Michael Carlson and Next Chef de Cuisine Dave Beran. (Photo: Grant Achatz)

For some reason, I just cannot picture Schwa's super chef/owner Michael Carlson out shopping for a Halloween costume like the rest of us.

But as you can see in photo above, he did, and he went all out during his staff's dinner Saturday at Next. And, according to Next owner/chef Grant Achatz, they didn't come empty handed, and graciously provided the staff meal.

Nice!

The South Rises Again—On Cocktail Menus

Virginia's award-winning Barboursville Vineyards' Octagon, 2006, is on the menu at Table Fifty-Two. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

I swear I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that a number of wines from the South can easily hold a candle to the more celebrated vino found in France, Italy or Spain.

At Table Fifty-Two, they're building a South-focused wine program that's certain not to be found outside of the South. Check out what I found in my monthly spirits column on DiningChicago.com, where I also cover the Southern-oriented cocktail programs at Big Jones, Hearty and The Southern.

Cheers!

Charles Joly Wins Another Major Contest!

Sepia head mixologist Josh Pearson called it the "toughest contest lineup in a long time."

That's the Auchentoshan Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky "Switch" Contest in which one bartender from the United States wins the opportunity to work for two weeks at a well-known London bar, and in turn, a mixologist from London wins the chance to work for two weeks at a trendy New York bar.

The Drawing Room's Charles Joly beat out 20 top bartenders at the finals Wednesday in Las Vegas to win the coveted prize. Check out his entry video, as he makes lemonade from scratch and an Old Fashioned cocktail with Auchentoshan Three Wood.

'Baconfest,' Negroni Carafes & More

Chalkboard's Gilbert Langlois kicks off Baconfest Chicago's fall/winter satellite dinners with a special event in November. (Photo: Chalkboard)

The kickoff of Baconfest Chicago's fall/winter satellite dinners, Negroni carafes at MörSo and Storefront Company's Quinoa Fries are just a few things you'll be drooling over in the coming weeks:

He had me at Chocolate Bacon Lollipops. Oh, and Bacon Hush Puppies with Salted Caramel, too.

Chalkboard's Gilbert Langlois gets the honor of launching Baconfest Chicago's fall/winter satellite dinners with a special event at 6:30pm Nov. 8. The menu sounds supremely divine with all this swine, and also includes Very Simple Bacon and Eggs (quail eggs with roasted bacon), braised pork belly with savory pumpkin bread pudding and bacon peanut butter custard with bacon fat frosting for dessert. It's $55 per person and includes one complimentary cocktail.