Thomas Keller Joins CIA; Fun Dinners at Quince, FIVE; More!

BERKELEY - FIVE in Berkeley is having a deep South-themed showdown dinner on Thursday between chef Banks White and chef Dean Dupuis of Pican. It's a five course meal with each course featuring two smaller dishes from the two competitors. Guest will rate their pick for each course and have the option of pairing with Drakes Brewing beers. More information here. [EaterWire]

JACKSON SQUARE -Chef Michael Tusk will tag team with Napa Ranch winegrower Lee Hudson to create a five-course meal made entirely from meats, vegetables, wines and other products from the ranch. The special dinner is available from October 25 to the 31st. Cost is $85 and an additional $65 for wine pairings. Reserve by calling the restaurant. [EaterWire]

KELLERVERSE - Thomas Keller was appointed to The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Board of Trustees last week. As you probably know, this is the ballyhooed culinary school with campuses in Hyde Park, NY, San Antonio, TX and Napa where Grant Achatz, Anthony Bourdain, Michael Chiarello, Todd English, Sara Moulton and countless others received their formal chef training. [PR Newswire]

UNION SQUARE - Clock Bar has a new fall cocktail menu and in an effort to support our urban bee farmers one of the creations features Haight Ashbury urban honey. No silly, that's not going to get you high. [EaterWire]

EARLY WORD - According the Epicurean Zealot the new 13 million dollar 25 Lusk "has FIDI ‘play-ah’ written all over it." But that's not all. "The men’s urinal seems to have some technology that creates and artistic pattern out of the impact of your stream. I could have peed all night." [EZ]

TOP CHEFFAGE -Top Chef Just Desserts competitor and Taste Catering pastry chef Yigit Pura joins the slew of contributors to the "It Gets Better" video campaign backlash against the recent gay suicides in America. [YouTube via GrubStreet]

AWARDS SEASON - The Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists announced its 2010 excellence in journalism award winners last week. SFoodie editor John Birdsall won in the Arts & Culture Criticism category for his online reporting on the Bay Area’s food scene. [SPJNorcal via SFoodie]

THE RICHMOND - Signore Lucchesi reports that Louis' Diner will close on Dec. 1 so it can reopen four months later under proper terms for its new 10-year lease. Namely, prices will go up and food will be locally sourced and organic. [ISSF]

Quince restaurant. [Photo: Citysearch]