Scuttlebutt: Jay Ducote to make appearance on Masterchef … Dispute ignites over oyster bar name

Master class: Baton Rouge native Jay Ducote, writer of the popular blog biteandbooze.com, was one of 100 amateur chefs chosen to appear on the premiere episode of FOX Network’s new series, Masterchef. Ducote was flown to Los Angeles in February for the taping. Contestants on the show prepared their signature dishes and presented them to a distinguished judging panel consisting of Chef Gordon Ramsey, wine maker Joe Bastianich and Chef Graham Elliot. Tune in on June 6 at 7 p.m. to see if Ducote wins one of the coveted white aprons and moves on to the next round of competition. Phil ’er up: Owners of Opie’s Cajun Café on Government Street found themselves in a legal tangle when they attempted to rename the location Phil’s Oyster Bar and Cajun Café earlier last month. Relatives of Gus Piazza, who owned the original Phil’s in the same location Opie’s occupies now, were upset by the proposed name change and are now considering legal means to prevent it. According to Gus’s son, Jordon Piazza, the current owners are not affiliated in any way with the Piazza family or the original Phil’s Oyster Bar. For now, Opie’s remains Opie’s, although Opie’s partner Kody Higgenbotham says they still intend to change the name if legally possible.