TC News and Information 10.20.10

Curious for a glimpse into the dessert preferences of tonight's Just Desserts guest judge Michael Laiskonis? Apparently he's a fan of a bit of salt and some fresh herbs with desserts. Laiskonis demos a dish of roasted figs, red wine caramel, goat cheese, hazelnuts, fresh thyme, and bacon ice cream in a clip from the most recent episode of Eric Ripert's Avec Eric here. Or you can watch the entire Avec Eric episode focusing on cured meats here (the lardo looks amazing).

Continuing in a pork-centric vein, TC Season 4 winner Stephanie Izard is hosting a mangalitsa pig dinner November 2 to benefit Friends of the James Beard House at her new Chicago restaurant, The Girl and the Goat. Check out the menu here. And apparently her new place is so booked even actor Ed Burns couldn't get a table.

Season 1 winner Harold Dieterle is also getting plenty of buzz with the opening of his new Thai restaurant, Kin Shop, including a nice two-part interview with the Village Voice here and here.

In other news about new restaurants from TC contestants, Season Three winner Hung Huynh has a new gig as "culinary overlord," and Season 5 finalist and returning All-Star Carla Hall plans to open a cafe at 24th & M in D.C.

Eater.com has an update on the recent shuttering of Season 7 finalist and returning All-Star Angelo Sosa's restaurant, Xie Xie, and got a confirmation from Angelo's rep that he's split from that Russian, er, fiancee of his.

Finally, Season 2's Sam Talbot was recently promoting Northwest pears in Portland.Remember how Sam liked to do quick pickles? You can find a recipe for his shrimp with pickled pears and gem lettuce sandwich here, and a quick video of him demo-ing the dish here.

Hmm, I wonder what you'd get if you matched pickled pears with bacon ice cream. Or not.