Table talk

The Art Institute of Salt Lake City hosted a Best Teen Chef Competition among 12 high school seniors on April 12.

First-place winner was Chris Bramon, a senior at Camdenton High School in Camdenton, Mo. Bramon will receive a $3,000 tuition scholarship to attend The Art Institute of Salt Lake City. He will compete with 30 winners from other The Art Institutes in the United States and Canada for the national Best Teen Chef competition in Las Vegas on May 17.

Second- and third-place winners in the Salt Lake City competition were Mckinzy Calapp from Davis High School in Kaysville and Curtis Brackus from Brighton High School in Cottonwood Heights, respectively. Calapp will receive a $2,000 tuition scholarship and Brackus will receive a $1,000 tuition scholarship (www.artinstitutes.edu or 601-4700).

Ichiban Sushi, the Watkins Group and sushi chef Peggi Whiting are seeking participants for the 20th annual "Burn Off" at Ichiban Sushi. The "last person standing" format will test the contestants' palates as they are served round after round of sushi doused with the world's hottest sauces. The pain begins May 20, 6:30 p.m., at Ichiban Sushi, 336 S. 400 East. The winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to Ichiban Sushi (532-7522).

Pine American Restaurant has closed its doors at 4760 S. 900 East, as owner Greg Neville is selling the property to an out-of-state restaurant group, according to a company press release. Pine opened in 2005 and received numerous awards during its brief run, including an invitation to the James Beard House in New York City, Zagat Guide's America's Top Restaurants, and Salt Lake Magazine's 2007 Best New Restaurant. Neville will focus on his other restaurant, Lugano, 3364 S. 2300 East (www.luganorestaurant.com).

Sun & Moon Cafe is hosting acclaimed classic blues artist Bill Lupkin on May 7, 7-10 p.m. Advance-purchase tickets are $14. Dinner is ordered separately at menu prices (583-8331).

The Wing Coop recently opened a second location at the northeast corner of Redwood Road and 4100 South in West Valley City. In addition to chicken wings, the restaurant serves a variety of chicken and vegetarian sandwiches, salads and wraps. It also carries 15 signature wing sauces, one of which earned first place in the Creative BBQ Wing Sauce category at the 2007 National Buffalo Wing Festival in Buffalo, N.Y. The Wing Coop's original location is on 3971 Wasatch Blvd. (www.wingcoop.com).