Since the Sun-Times won't say it, we will: We call bullshit, Dan Schmitt. Schmitt is the producer who's responsible for putting Top Chef Stephanie Izard's face on a logo for a public access show from Tony Peraica's campaign called, "What's COOKing With The Republicans?" Not only is it the weakest and most drawn out use of a pun for political purposes in recent memory, but it's just not possible that you would create a "cooking"......

It's been said numerous times that chefs are the new rock stars. Chicago, then, could be considered one of the epicenters for the rock star chef. And they come in all forms: the arena gods (Bayless, Trotter, Achatz, McClain, Kahan); adult contemporary and classical (Smith, Gand, Arun, Tramonto, Nahabedian, Christophe David at NoMI); indie and experimental darlings (Segal, Carlson, Cantu, Bowles, Tschilds and Hammel of Lula) and world beat (Bahena, Nieto, Takashi, Gras, Garces, Shen).......

Food The Chopping Block hosts a battle of the reality show chefs tonight as Hell's Kitchen's Rock Harper takes on Top Chef: Chicago champ Stephanie Izard. We spoke with Rock at Gourmet Chicago over the weekend and he said it looks to be an Iron Chef-style challenge. Proceeds benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., The Chopping Block at The Merchandise Mart, $125, Call 312-644-6360 for more info Drink Monday blues......

Expecting more of the same of what we saw Saturday, it was decided that any coverage of Chicago Gourmet for Sunday would be optional. With an overcast sky and the first tinges of autumn finally in the air, it turned out to be a prudent decision. It also appeared as though the weather kept paying customers away, as well. Lines for the exhibitors on the Pritzker Pavilion lawn were noticeably shorter than Saturday. This resulted......

Big Brother is watching you. So, apparently, was Julia Child. The CIA released over 35,000 declassified documents this morning shining a light on the operations of the World War II-era precursor to the CIA, the OSS. Other notable spies included Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg, historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and Miles Copeland, Jr., the father of Police drummer Stewart Copeland. [AP, via Yahoo] Hot on the heels of the Bennigan's bankruptcy comes news that......

Image used with permission from Bleeding Heart Bakery. Bleeding Heart Bakery has created a cupcake in honor of "Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard. Dubbed "The Stephanie" and viewable at Bleeding Heart's flickr stream. It's an organic ricotta poundcake cupcake with organic caramelized pineapple jam and bananas and organic lime frosting. This cupcake's as cute as Izard. It'll be available for a limited time. Additionally, one dollar for each cupcake sold will be donated to......

For those of you who were following along with our live blog of the "Top Chef Chicago" finale the other night, we're also guessing you had one eye on the tube, as well. Turns out you and we were not alone. The season finale documenting Stephanie Izard's coronation as the series' first female winner was the most watched show on cable that day, according to Nielsen (via). The finale attracted 3.5 million viewers, 2.5 million......

Tonight we'll find out if Stephanie Izard wins the title of "Top Chef" in part 2 of the season finale. Filmed in Puerto Rico last month, Izard pits her skills against progressive cuisine acolyte/fauxhawk wearing Atlantan Richard Blais and the mopey, attitude-filled Lisa Fernandes of New York. Lisa won no one over last week when, after the shocking elimination of Antonia Lofaso, she looked at her peers and said, "I know you're disappointed to see......

Just received notice from the folks behind that June 15 plate-to-plate competition between Stephanie Izard and Nick LaCasse at the Drawing Room at Le Passage. A second event — a VIP cocktail reception with the guest of honor — has been added for 9 p.m. that evening. The $40 per-person admission will include two complimentary seasonal cocktails created by Izard for the event. Furthermore, those who miss out on the dinner or reception can sample......

Like Hawk Harrelson with the White Sox, we've been unabashed homers for Stephanie Izard to win "Top Chef Chicago" here at Chicagoist pretty much since we heard that she was taking part in the show. Her performance thus far — winner of one quickfire challenge and four elimination challenges — combined with an ebullient personality has her poised as both the front runner and fan favorite to win the competition. But what does Izard have......

By now anyone who cares should have had the opportunity to check out last week's "Top Chef Chicago" premiere episode, which saw former Scylla owner/chef Stephanie Izard win the elimination challenge with her Asian-influenced duck a l'orange that almost had BOURDAIN! making indecent proposals to her. That she came back to lord over all after an auspicious ill-conceived start in the deep dish pizza quickfire challenge and a major bout of nerves saucing the duck......