Chef Shuffle, Devouring Downtown, and Achatz

Some New Chefs in Town: Sometimes a new chef is a great excuse to give a restaurant you'd written off another try. Word has it that Dunaway's has a new chef (we hear the former sous chef has taken over the kitchen). Wine Canine notes that the much-loved former Pidge chef, Casey Uglow, has taken over in the kitchen at Plum's Upper Room in Zionsville. And Cory at Property Lines reports that Jake Brenchley, the chef from the Bloomington Scholar's Inn, will take over the kitchen at what they're calling S.I. (Sexy and Intimate), the new name for the remodeled Scholar's Inn on Mass Ave. opening in February. They're also starting from scratch on staff when they re-open.

Winter Devour Downtown Dates: Mark your calendars for January restaurant week which actually runs for two weeks, January 21-February 2. Check out their website for the growing list of participating restaurants as well as their $30 prix fixe menus. It's a great way to try some new places and revisit a few old favorites.

Grant Achatz Cancer Free: Good news on the Achatz front. Ruhlman reports that after chemo and radiation therapies for aggressive cancer of the tongue, the well-known Chicago chef is cancer free. The statement from Chef Achatz and follow ups from Bruni via Ruhlman's blog.

Mmmm. Smores! If you made the marshmallows a couple of weeks ago from the link at What Geeks Eat, here's your chance to finish them off. (What, you say? Leftover homemade marshmallows? How is that possible?) A perfect smore bar cookie. What's not to love about chocolate, graham cracker crust, and soft goo.