Tonight on Top Chef Masters knives are drawn and the display of extraordinary talent begins in the most ordinary of places – the grocery store, where the chefs are met with the classic quickfire from Season 3 – “Aisle Trial”.

Servers are one of the first to greet me and the last when I leave a restaurant. How that server treats me and other patrons is a direct reflection of the restaurants core values is it not?

There was a dish that I recall growing up. My mom would make it now and then and it was perfect with fresh steamed rice (what isn’t perfect with fresh steamed rice?) It is made with a squash called a Chayote or Mirlitons as I would find out later…

In 1934 at the corner of 3rd & Fairfax in L.A., a dozen farmers parked their trucks on Gilmore field to sell fresh produce to local residents. The LA Farmers Market was born…

July 29 – Upcoming Class in LA: Elegant Picnic Fare – Heading to the Hollywood Bowl this Summer? Or just to the backyard for an outdoor meal? Here’s an elegant and simple “meal to-go” that travels well and is packed with flavor.

July 28 – Upcoming class in LA – The Street Foods of Mexico – Festive and easy to eat with your fingers, Mexico’s street fare boasts some of the most delicious flavors ever. If you are want to throw a great fiesta built around great outdoor dishes, this is the class for you.

July 25 – Upcoming class at Sur La Table Newport Beach – Nothing says summer like something frozen. Learn to make ice cream, popsicles, granitas and more!

July 28 & 30: Upcoming class at Blackmarket Bakery: Laminated Doughs – Learn to make croissant and danish dough -

The OC Restaurant Association announced its second Orange County Restaurant Week to be held September 13-19, 2009.

Divine Desserts, Etc will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony next Wednesday, July 15. So did they Divine and Conquer? In this blogger’s opinion, no.

We just saw the opening of the OC’s newest cupcake boutique last week and looks like there is yet another bakery opening up. Divine Desserts, Etc, will be hosting a grand opening on July 15.

Oscar G. Mayer, retired chairman of the Wisconsin-based meat processing company that bears his name, has died at the age of 95.

Bravo announced the contestants from this season of Top Chef to be held in Las Vegas, NV

Tokyo Table in the new Jamboree Diamond Center in Irvine is offering a Sunday Buffet on July 12 from 11am to 3pm.

Link between increased levels of nitrates and increased deaths from Type II Diabetes and Alzheimers.

Celebrating 50 years, Round Table Pizza is offering a medium one-topping pizza for only 50 cents when they purchase a large or extra-large specialty pizza at menu price

Sprouts Farmers Market continues is expansion plans with the opening of two new locations in Brea and Riverside. A new location in Orange is set for a July 31 opening date.

Coca-Cola is changing the way you get your Coke on. Two new dispensers roll out this summer and Coca-Cola hopes it gets a Coke in your hand much faster…

Who doesn’t love the Los Angeles Farmers Market at Fairfax and Third??? It has been around since 1934 and they are celebrating their 75th Anniversary.

They’re finally here! It’s been a little over 2 months since we found out that The OC was going to be host to a new cupcake bakery. Frostings Cupcakes in Lake Forest will open on July 2.