After Dale’s fantastic run all the way to the final last season, we’re rooting for another Chicago talent to take home the big Top Chef prize this year. My bet’s on Stephanie Izard, former chef/owner of Scylla in Bucktown (now occupied by Restaurant Takashi). I’d only been to Scylla once, but if the succulent roast chicken I had was any indication of her mad skills, those other contestants had better watch out — it takes a killer chef to do anything rave-worthy with chicken, and her specialty is fish.

Of course, I’m talking as if this hadn’t been taped several months back, but that’s the illusion of reality TV. If you’re interested in spoilers, Time Out Chicago has a little something to whet your appetite here. (Spoiler alert: the article doesn’t give away much of anything, so go ahead and read it.)