Useless tidbits picked up from helping judge today's Country Chef Challenge, an Iron-chef like contest, in Daley Plaza: (and congratulations to Blackbird pastry chef Patrick Fahy, crowned Master of the Market):

Fellow judge and WLS personality Roe Conn has a martini AND a hot dog named after him at Harry Caray's.

Channel 2 meteorologist Steve Baskerville, who emceed the event, is not on Twitter or Facebook, and probably never will be, he detests it so.

And fellow judge -- and food truck chef of the moment -- Matt Maroni has nicknamed his Gaztro-Wagon "Dorothy."

One useful bit:
Piccolo Sogno chef Tony Priolo is organizing another fundraiser for bartender Shawn Koch, a brunch on Aug. 28. Priolo's restaurant isn't usually open for Saturday brunch, but all his staff will work for free. Koch is battling a rare brain cancer. Proceeds from tonight's Speakeasy Throwback at the Palmer House Hilton will go toward Koch's foundation.