‘Top Chef Masters’ returns -- and so does L.A. Beer Fest

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--Hot, or not? ‘Top Chef Masters’ got back underway Tuesday night with first-timers including two Angeleno chefs, Susan Feniger (Street, Cuidad, Border Grill) and Govind Armstrong (8 oz. Burger Bar, who had judged on Season 1 but not competed). They joined the likes of Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, one of President Obama’s favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago), Ana Sortun (Sofra Bakery & Café, Cambridge), Jerry Traunfield (Poppy, Seattle), and Jimmy Bradley (The Red Cat and The Harrison, NYC) for their first quick-fire challenge in L.A.’s Chinatown. For the elimination challenge, the teams had to cook for 30 people on their first dates. Aside from the lovebirds, here’s a look at what sizzled, and what fizzled.

--Cheers! The Los Angeles Beer Festival is on tap Saturday: The number of local and out-of-town craft brewers has grown this year, and there will be two sampling sessions offered, plus food trucks. Details here.