El Willy on TV (and other food news)

While stumbling through the vast array of Shanghai expat writing institutions, we realized that there was a real big explosion of news for foodies this week. Maybe with Fall kicking into high gear, the cooler weather's whetted restaurant appetites and now everyone's throwing down with new openings, new menus and new... well, everything else.

For instance, did you know Willy, chef of perennial Spanish food favorite el Willy, is starting a cooking show? Check out the trailer on the left - it'll be called Cooking Willy Nilly and feature Willy acting his crazy, adorable self.

Meanwhile, a new (and hopefully actually authentic) gourmet Italian deli has just opened in the French Concession. Gourmet Fine Italian Food & Wine by SDM is a father and daughter operation that - if we're lucky - will churn out the cannolis and fresh bolognese we've been craving.

For wine enthusiasts, apparently the Sud de France festival has been happening for the last two weeks and we just didn't know it. No matter, until this Sunday, October 25, you'll be able to buy Sud de France products from over 130 participating venues around Shanghai. Visit any of them and purchase a wine to receive an invitation to a Sud de France wine-tasting event. There's other prizes and promotions too, but they sound a little complicated. See Cityweekend for the details and here's their list of where to sip Sud:

Restaurants: Franck Bistro, Le Midi, Jean Georges, Archie's , E Fortune Club, Latitude, Future Perfect, Le Saleya, La grange, 570, Le bouchon, room28, Vino-Villa, 1158 club, Cafe Du Metro, Montmartre, Platane, Chartres, Moonsha, a Future Perfect, South Beauty, Sincere Restaurant, Shanghai Ren Jia, Simply Thai, Shanghai No.1,Duck King, 外滩游艇会，指福楼，阳光名邸大酒店，海皇一品，天水雅居，燕子酒家，廊亦舫，董大师工艺食坊，En Bar&Restaurant，Grand Mercure，Hyatt on the Bund，Minya Hotel, YuJing Hotel, Manhattan Hotel，Dong Lai Hotel.

Wine cellar: 9519 cellar,Epicvre ,Jointek，Justgrapes，Cheese&fizz，Hored，Cuvee，Metro, NGS(118 Square)，Decanter，First YaoHan, JieQiang Tabacco, La vie de star, Vinna wine cellar, ChuanShi cellar, JieQiang Tabacco, Romantic Village，鼎邦俪池私人会所，Wine Mall，Fontaine，château Harvest, City shop, Printemps (PuDong),Friendship Store, Parkson Supermarket

And if you're a fan of visiting chefs, David Laris is beginning his new chef collaboration series called "Laris & Friends." His first guest, Max Levy, the chef at Bei in Beijing's Opposite House will be whipping up a fancy feast tasting menu that'll start tomorrow and go on until November 8. SmartShanghai got a sneak peek at the proposed menu.