Chefs

Do you think you have what it takes to become the next "MasterChef?" Casting directors from the series and Chef Graham Elliot are coming to Chicago Dec. 3 for an open casting call. Here are the details: "MasterChef" open call When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 Where: Le Cordon Bleu, 361 W. Chestnut in Chicago What to do: You MUST bring one prepared dish to be served to the judges, including Graham Elliot. You will be given a few minutes to plate your dish, but there will not be a kitchen to cook or warm it up so come prepared!

Pastry chef Amanda Rockman is known around town for her addictive Basque cake at Bucktown restaurant The Bristol, but last year she took a turn in the national spotlight on Bravo's “Top Chef: Just Desserts.” While she was away taping the show, she found out that The Bristol team was teaming up with Boka Restaurant Group to open a new restaurant called Balena. The Italian-inspired spot will showcase chef Chris Pandel's pasta, pizza and wood-fired meats and is expected to open in late February or early March.

The competition continued last night on "Top Chef: Texas," and so we continue our own point-based competition for the six Chicago chefs in the cast. Quickfire challenge: Border Grill's Mary Sue Millikin and Susan Feniger (remember them from "Top Chef Masters"?) guest judge a chili challenge in which they are to cook a dish with a pepper ranging in spice from the mild Anaheim pepper to the nuclear ghost pepper. Elimination challenge: Teams of three are to cook chili and serve it at a rodeo.

Two years ago, she opened Girl & The Goat. Last year, she released a cookbook. This year, “Top Chef” Season 4 winner Stephanie Izard is heading back to the small screen to compete on Food Network show “Iron Chef America.”  According to a schedule of episodes released by Food Network, Izard will face off against Iron Chef Michael Simon. The chefs will be tasked with creating a multi-course meal on the fly utilizing a secret ingredient, and their creations will be judged by actor Anthony Anderson, restaurant consultant Karine Bakhoum and David Rocco of “David Rocco's Dolce Vita.” The episode will air Aug. 26 at 9 p.m.  - Lisa Arnett

Ever wondered what celebrity chef in Chicago has the best smile? No? Well, someone did, because the Chicago Dental Society was surveyed about just such a question in "preparation" for its 148th Midwinter Meeting, and more than 200 dentists weighed in on who has the best set of pearly whites. The winner, garnering 60 percent of the vote, was Stephanie Izard, the Girl and the Goat chef and former "Top Chef" winner. Grant Achatz and Rick Bayless took second and third, respectively, but they were distant runners-up, kind of like only getting floss when you really wanted a new toothbrush at the dentist.

When two-time James Beard semi-finalist Kendal Duque joined Mainstay Hospitality in 2010 to reinvigorate the restaurant group's South Loop spot Chicago Firehouse, there was talk the former Sepia chef would eventually open his own concept with Mainstay. A year and a half later, Duque is doing just that, working with proprietor Matthew O'Malley to launch City Tavern later this month just down the street at 1416 S. Michigan Ave. in the space that used to house Grace O'Malley's. “We just feel that now is the right time, being that the Firehouse is successful and strong,” he said.