Even if you're paying close attention, it's sometimes difficult to keep up with the latest in food news here in Milwaukee. So here's a taste of what's new and notable – including the scoop on a new Destination America show featuring Milwaukee's Dudefoods, a snazzy app that will change the way you think about beer, the skinnyon Hinterland's Outstanding in the Field dinner, and all the details about Wolf Peach's Bridge Bash on Aug. 1.

Milwaukee Dude to appear on Destination America show
Fried foods are all the rage. There’s the deep fried Oreo, the flash-fried Twinkie and the Cronut. And Destination America hopes to capture the imagination of millions of fried food fans with their latest show, "Deep Fried Masters," which premieres on Monday, Aug. 5 at 9 p.m.

Tune in to meet a talented cast of fry cooks, each on a mission to prove, once and for all, that everything tastes better battered.

Even better, the first episode features a Milwaukee area food blogger, Nick Chipman of DudeFoods.com, as one of the contestants.  

Chipman might be up against a few of the best fry-masters in the country. But, he’s got skin in the game. After all, he’s no ordinary foodie. After growing up as an extremely picky eater and surviving on a steady diet of ham sandwiches and macaroni and cheese, the last thing he figured he'd be doing when he was older was writing about food. But, these days you’ll find him busy in the kitchen, creating some of the most radical grilled and deep fried creations you’ve ever seen. Care for deep fried nacho cheese, a bacon weave taco or maple bacon crong john?  Dude has you covered.

Tune in to the inaugural episode of Deep Fried Masters to see contestants, including Chipman, giving ordinary American food – from mac and cheese to mashed potatoes – the deep-fried treatment.  There will be new takes on crab, pizza, candy and pie – all browned to a golden crisp. Meanwhile, the judges will determine which dishes could be hits on the state fair circuit, ultimately crowning the best of the best and maybe even learning a new trick or two.

The Beerfridge App:  Like the world’s largest happy hour
Milwaukeean John LaVelle and his team has released a brand new IOS and Android app that will change the way you think about beer.

Imagine being able to access over 55,000 beers right on your cell phone.  Imagine being able to search for beers by name, style, rating or by friends’ recommendations.  How about the ability to access real time beer menus at area establishments?

Now imagine being able to check into beers as you try them and log the results for future reference. Take photos of them. Share them via social media.

The newly launched Beer Fridge app lets you do just that.  Keep track of beers you love and hate. Create a wish list of brews you want to try. Get notifications when beers become available. Or access recommendations for beers you might like, based on those you’ve already rated.

According to the Beerfridge web site: "Beer Fridge is an easy and fun app structured to let you maximize your beersomeness. It’s the only beer app you’ll ever need. Possibly the only app you’ll ever need."

They could be right.

Download your copy at thebeerfridge.com

Hinterland Outstanding in the Field dinner
Mark your calendar for Monday, Aug. 5 for a farm dinner unlike any other. The mission of Outstanding in the Field is mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.

Since 1999 the organization has set up its tables at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.

Pinehold Gardens in Oak Creek will host the second Wisconsin Outstanding in the Field dinner featuring the culinary skill of James Beard Award-nominated chef Dan van Rite.

This year’s menu features a Pinn-Oak Farms lamb "porchetta," Jeff-Leen Farms kimchi-brined chicken, and Supper Club style relish trays highlighting Hinterland’s house-made pickles and charcuterie, and many other dishes. Purchase tickets online at OutstandingintheField.com

Wolf Peach holds Bridge Bash
The Pleasant Street Lift Bridge has reopened and area businesses are marking the occasion in style. Work to rehabilitate the bridge, built in 1972, began in September 2012.

"We are completely elated," said Wolf Peach owner Gina Gruenewald. "The Pleasant Street Bridge is such a critical thoroughfare for so many businesses and residences, it’s a big deal for it to reopen. We felt it was definitely worthy of a celebration!"

Following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Tom Barrett at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, the public is invited to the lower level of Wolf Peach restaurant for a complimentary backyard barbecue, complete with live music from the Alex Wilson Band, beginning at 4:30 p.m., and celebratory bottles of Bridge Burner Special Reserve Ale and Wisconsinite Summer Weiss, courtesy of neighboring Lakefront Brewery.