Through Nov. 12, the casino's Circus Maximus Theater is hosting "Taste of Emeril," an audience-participation presentation with the look and feel of a reality TV culinary competition.

Named for megastar chef Emeril Lagasse, "Taste" pits two teams of three randomly selected ticket holders against each other in a series of food-prep activities. The competition commences with each of the six contestants being given the same task (at a recent performance it was whisking egg whites). Solo judge Ralph Pagano ("Hell's Kitchen," "Iron Chef") eliminates one person from each team.

The next round finds the now two-member squads preparing a dish (under Pagano's aegis). Pagano then eliminates one of the two teams. The final round pits the remaining teammates in a heads-up battle for the grand prize, which usually involves a free dinner at one of the high-end restaurants at the Pier Shops at Caesars, as well as various Emeril-related products.

A celebrity emcee keeps things moving. Marc Summers, who seems to have starred in every cable TV game/reality show, has been handling the duties the last couple of weeks. Tuesday, the role will be assumed by Mark DeCarlo (Travel Channel's "Taste of America with Mark DeCarlo").

Lagasse, who recently opened his first northeastern United States eatery at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, is present via regularly inserted videotaped segments.

Besides the personable, quick-witted Pagano, the best part of "Taste of Emeril" is the stage set: Two fully stocked kitchens anchor what may be the most elaborate (read: expensive) staging ever built for a casino showroom. This isn't necessarily surprising, considering "Taste of Emeril" is produced by FreemantleMedia, the showbiz titan responsible for, among other programs, "American Idol."

As with any show that depends on audience participation, performances "Taste of Emeril" will vary in quality depending on the personalities and "fun factor" of the contestants. But thanks to the pros involved, a certain degree of fun is pretty much guaranteed. And the folks at Caesars deserve kudos for trying something a little bit different.

Tickets were going for $35, which seemed excessive, considering there are plenty of headliners who charge that or less. But Caesars has instituted a twofer deal. Use the code word "TASTE" through Ticketmaster to get two admissions for that price.

Caesars Atlantic City, Boardwalk at Arkansas Avenue, 2 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 7 p.m. Thursday, $35 (additional performances 7 p.m. Nov. 6-7), 800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com.

Disco Halloween

The debauchery kicks off tonight at 10 with the "Extreme Halloween Costume Party" at Club Worship at House of Blues inside the Showboat. There will be a costume contest as well as a drag-king and -queen performances. Admission is free.

Tomorrow things kick into high gear with a gaggle of boldface hipster names making the scene.

At Dusk inside Caesars Atlantic City, Audrina Partridge of MTV's "The Hills," will get the party started at the club's "I Dream of Audrina" bash. More than $1,000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs in the costume competition. Cover charge (at the door only) is $25 for men and $20 for women. Tables and/or bottle service can be arranged by calling 609-345-3875 or e-mailing info@duskac.com.

Things should be spook-tacular over on the Marina side of town as well, as both Harrah's Resort Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa are doing it up in a big way.

At The Pool at Harrah's, Edi Gathegi, Chaske Spencer and Alex Meraz, all featured in the hit vampire flick, "Twilight," will be in the house. Snoop Dogg is expected after his gig at House of Blues. There will also be a $1,000 costume contest. The soiree starts at 10; admission is $20. For tickets and info, go to www.areaevent.com.

Borgata has events in three of its nightlife venues: mur.mur, MIXX and Gypsy Bar. Each will award $1,000 to the best costume, and each will feature a drop-in by Playboy Playmate Shannon James (the mag is the night's official sponsor). For more, go to www.borgatanightlife.com.

There's the rub

Located on the main level, Serene Blu offers quickie rubdowns at the reasonable price of a buck a minute for a minimum 20-minute session (in the higher-end casinos, a massage can run double that or more for a 50-minute treatment). Folks looking for something more involved can avail themselves of private, full-body treatments and even couples' massages.

Serene Blu is open daily. Hours vary. For more info, call 609-513-3204, or go to www.sereneblu.com.

Chuck Darrow has covered Atlantic City and casinos for more than 20 years. Read his blog http://go.philly.com/casinotes.

E-mail him at darrowc@phillynews.com.

And listen to his Atlantic City report Saturdays at 1:25 a.m. with Steve Trevelise on WIP (610-AM).