Turkey pot pie, Chateau Marmont, the perfect cheese plate and more ...

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Los Angeles chefs are sure to take note: Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila has a soft spot in her heart -- or is it her stomach?? -- for chicken pot pie. She puts a new twist on the dish using her favorite recipe from chef Bradley Ogden and turkey leftovers. It’s one of the highlights you’ll find in today’s Food section. Here are others:

• Times staff writer Betty Hallock offers up this step-by-step guide to putting together the perfect cheese plate. There’s also an entertaining video -- above -- by a cheese master.
• What does our restaurant critic do when she’s not dreaming of pot pies? She’s dining at -- and reviewing -- that L.A. hot spot Chateau Marmont.
• Speaking of L.A. hot spots, here’s the latest on the fate of the troubled Bastide.
• When you think of pumpkin and Thanksgiving, you probably assume pie. But Times test kitchen manager Noelle Carter shows you another side to this holiday favorite, including roasted pumpkin salad, pumpkin seed stuffing with chorizo and pumpkin cake with sour cream ganache.
• If you’re stressed and strapped for time before the holiday, consider this solution: Times staff writer Amy Scattergood offers up these recipes for simple yet delicious side dishes including whole-grain mustard rolls, braised red cabbage with toasted hazelnuts and brown butter mashed potatoes with fried sage. Best of all, these are dishes that can be made today -- so you have less to do tomorrow.
• As promised, we have additional recipes to help you with all those leftovers.

And finally ...

If you find yourself with any last-minute Thanksgiving emergencies, or you just want to try to stump Times test kitchen manager Noelle Carter, be sure to join her here at noon with your questions and recipe requests.

-- Rene Lynch