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Oprah's favorite knife means big business for small shop

Apparently people listen more closely to Oprah than they do to me. (Am I surprised, no; a bit bitter, well, yes.)

In her much-anticipated favorite things show that aired recently, the Daytime Diva shared with her audience 44 of her favorite things, including the $398 Sophia Satchel by Coach and the Jessica Leigh 1.17 carat diamond earrings that will set you back a cool $1,900. Also in the select group were more affordable food and kitchen items like Garrett's Popcorn, Ghirardelli Brownie Mix, the Baker's Edge Brownie Pan and Kyocera ceramic knives.

I extolled the virtues of Kyocera's ceramic knife back in 2007; I guess Oprah must have missed that week's Food section.

Anyway, the 5½ inch santoku knife (hers was a gift from celeb chef Ming Tsai) ended up as a favorite for good reasons: It's lightweight, keeps an ultrasharp edge and doesn't rust or retain food odors.

As one of a handful of Kyocera retailers in the suburbs, Bonnie Bock of Someone's in the Kitchen in Libertyville says the knife's anointing by Oprah has been a boon for business.

“I've already sold so many,” Bock said just hours after the Nov. 19 show aired. “For a small business like mine, it's a big thing.”

Bock sells the knife for $59 (and if you think it does ever need sharpening, Kyocera will do it for free).

You can also find it bundled with a paring knife at area Sur la Table stores and online retailers.

Tip of the toque: Congratulations to Prasino pastry chef Todd Feitel for being the only suburban chef nominated for a Jean Banchet Award for Culinary Excellence.

Feitel, who creates dynamic dessert at the eco-chic eatery in St. Charles and LaGrange, is one of four nominees for Rising Pastry Chef. The others are Meg Galus, Café des Architectes; Amanda Rockman, The Bristol and Leticia Zenteno, Ceres' Table.

Nominees for Celebrity Chef are Curtis Duffy, Avenues; Graham Elliot, Graham Elliot; Stephanie Izard, The Girl & the Goat and Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia. Nominees for Celebrity Pastry Chef are Patrick Fahy, Blackbird; Stephanie Prida, Ria; Toni Roberts, C-House and Mindy Segal, Hot Chocolate. Chef-de-Cuisine nominees include Brian Enyart, Topolobampo; Koren Grieveson, Avec; Ryan LaRoche, NoMI and David Posey, Blackbird.

Rising Chef nominees are Jimmy Bannos Jr., The Purple Pig; Jonathan Beatty, Davanti Enoteca; Jason McLeod, Ria and Chris Pandel, The Bristol.

The awards, named after Jean Banchet of the influential Le Francais in Wheeling, will be Jan. 28 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago during the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Grand Chef's Gala.

Tickets for the Emerald City-themed gala, which include pre-dinner nibbles prepared by more than 40 of Chicago's finest chefs, custom cocktails from top mixologists, a three-course dinner prepared by Fairmont chefs, a buffet of delectable desserts and silent and live auction items, cost $400 (of which $237 is tax deductible) and are available at grandchefsgala.com or (312) 236-4491.

Liquid cookies: Let's say you're craving a Christmas cookie but aren't the kind to spend a couple hours in the kitchen actually baking them.

The fun folks at Partida Tequila have come up with some cookie-inspired cocktails for your holiday sipping.

For a Sugar Cookie Cocktail: Add 2½ ounces reposado tequila and 1 tablespoon brown sugar to a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a cordial class rimmed with brown sugar.

For a Snickerdoodle: In a shaker filled with ice combine 1 ounce reposado tequila, ¾ ounce each of Irish cream liqueur and cream, ½ ounce butterscotch schnapps and a splash of cinnamon schnapps. Shake and strain into a martini glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Santa might appreciate one, too. After all, isn't it the reindeer who really drive the sleigh?

Sugar Cookie Courtesy of Partida Tequila