Amuse * Bouche: So You Think You Can Cook?

The wildly popular new kid on the block, Astor Bake Shop, will be participating at this year's event!

Dish du Jour Magazine, creators of the "Burger Battle of the Boroughs" and "The Best Meatball of the Boroughs" competitions are now preparing for their upcoming 9th Annual Food & Wine Tasting Event, The Cuisine of Queens & Beyond.

Featuring 50 of the most delicious restaurants in Queens and beyond, this year's event offers not only an array of tastings, but also a cooking challenge where one VIP ticket holder will be staged up against noted chef Rocco Sacramone (of Trattoria L'Incontro) and Bravo's Top Chef Contestant Andrea Beaman. The competition will involve 5 ingredients under the theme, "Spice it up with flavors of the fall."

The competitors will prepare a fall-themed dish with 5 ingredients provided on the spot, with the aspiring chef receiving a $150 gift card, dinner for two at Trattoria L'Incontro, and a personal coaching session for healthy living with Andrea, along with autographed copies of her books.

This exciting event will be held Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 6-9 pm at the Astoria World Manor (25-22 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, NY).

For tickets, call (718) 777-7918 or visit the Dish du Jour Magazine website. Tickets purchased in advance are only $55 ($65 at the door--cash only). VIP tickets are only $75 and enter you for a chance to compete (which you may decline), along with preferred seating, and gift bags.

Be sure to visit the event's Facebook page for insider scoops, and chances to win free VIP tickets!

I will definitely be there this year, and would love if you stopped me to say "hello" and share a bite or two. It really sounds like a fun event.

Some of this year's participants include:

718 Restaurant