Alton Brown of the Food Network show “Good Eats” was in Indianapolis today doing a book signing and live demos sponsored by “Simon Super Chefs Live.” As a huge Alton fan, I had to be there. I had 2 of his 3 books with me to be signed, as well as a printed copy of his “Turkey in Bowler Hat” that you can see in the background when you watch his shows. (You can download it as a desktop wallpaper off his website.)
Anyway, I watched both of his demos (one from the front row) and waited in line, and waited in line, and got my books (and picture) signed, and…
Nifty. I don’t cook and have no real desire to learn anything more than the basics but I love his show and watch it every day at work right before going home for the day.
He was very personable & outgoing. Engaged the fans well, especially during the demos, and was VERY complimentary toward the assistants. (They had provided students from the local culinary arts department at the state technical university, and he complimented them on their skills - as well as appreciating not having to do any of his own prep.) He was very friendly to everyone I saw in the book signing line (including myself) although by the time I got to him he looked tired.
The demos were good. I wasn’t horribly interested in the first one, which was on avacados - specifically regarding uses OTHER than guacamole. He made avacado ice cream, avacado-herb butter, and avacado icing (yes, cake icing.) The people who got to taste the ice cream & the icing seemed to think it was pretty tasty.
The second demo was more my style - “personal” or “pocket” pies. He made a biscuit dough & rolled them out to make small pies, which he deep fried. (He did say you could also bake them or pan fry them.) He made a mango pie, a chocolate pie, and a Dinty Moore Beef Stew “pastie”. Someone in the audience got to eat the mango pie.
The third demo (while I was waiting in line for the book signing) was a repeat of the avacado demo.
Yes, he was. He did let it down a little bit when there were a couple of minor bobbles during the demos, but mostly in laughing at himself - which I think is a good thing.
I wish so much I could be there. Apparantly, he gave a speech at his Alma Mater, New England Culinary Instute in VT a several months ago and I missed it. If only I knew ahead if time, instead of AFTER when my brother told me. :mad:
Last year I tried to attend an Alton Brown book signing at a Borders. Unfortunately it was full up. We couldn’t even get a number to stand in line in case anyone left the book signing early.
Ah well.
I’m glad to hear he was nice. I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that he might be a little bit of a jerk in person.
I’ll add another cite of him being nice in person. I saw him at a book signing and he was nice to everyone who came through the line. Of course I didn’t know what the hell to say so I don’t have any fun stories
He answered all the questions in the Q&A with the same spunk and attitude he has on the show.
I saw him again at the Food TV food show thingy in Cleveland. He did a live show and the crowd was awesome, he was awesome and obviously having a great time.
Indyellen - that is a GREAT pic of you and him! I hate when I get my pic taken with someone famous/special and I look like crap but you look great! wtg!
He made avacado ice cream, avacado-herb butter, and avacado icing (yes, cake icing.) The people who got to taste the ice cream & the icing seemed to think it was pretty tasty.
If only I knew ahead if time, instead of AFTER when my brother told me. :mad: