Remember when I gushed over Bobby Deen a few weeks ago? As I mentioned then, he is traveling around the South to promote his new book, From Mama’s Table to Mine, and one of the stops happened to be Cary, NC. Upon hearing this news, the event went directly on my calendar. I was SO there.

Due to a little mishap with Apple Maps (ugh!), Seth and I didn’t arrive at the Barnes & Noble (where the even was held) until about 10 minutes before the signing was to begin. I don’t know if it was the fact that we arrived later than planned or that I was just star-struck, but I started getting really nervous…then excited…then nervous again.

I had plenty of time to calm down, though. The line wasn’t so long, but Bobby was nice enough to talk to each person and pose for pictures—so each interaction was more than a 20-second ordeal. It’s a good thing I had dragged Seth along to keep me company

At long last, it was my turn! At first, I felt a bit like Ralphie when he finally gets to see Santa in A Christmas Story. “What do I say? Do I just smile? I’m blowing it, blowing it!” I think my awkward, lock-kneed stance says it all:

Finally, I had the sense to mention that I’m pursuing a career in nutrition and that I love what he does. He said something like, “Well, you look like a fit person, so keep it up, and good luck!” [Imagine that in his sexy Southern drawl]. He also thought I was in college. Yessssssss [Imagine that in Napoleon Dynamite’s less sexy voice].

Then it was picture time! I was shaking like a leaf. As I said, I don’t know why I was so nervous. Blerg.

Here’s a look at what he wrote:

I just now noticed that it says “Best Dishes” not “Best Wishes.” Bonus points for food puns, Bobby.

Today, I actually paged through the book and marked recipes that look promising. Thus far, the list includes:

• Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Black-Eyed Pea Salad
• Charleston Shrimp and Grits
• Sweet Chili-Glazed Grilled Tuna
• Peachy BBQ Grouper
• Glazed Scallops with Pineapple Salsa
• Loaded Lasagna
• Yes You Can Mac and Cheese
• Golden Crunchy Okra
• Good Morning Pumpkin-Corn Muffins
• Bobby’s Morning Ritual Smoothie
• Pecan Waffles with Strawberry Syrup
• Peach Cobbler

What? You mean not everyone uses page flags with little carrots on them?

Fortunately, unlike his TV show recipes, the recipes in the book feature more complete nutrition information (i.e., not just Calories and fat). Protein, carbohydrate, fiber, and sodium are also listed.

Also, I’m a big fan of the photography in the book. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a big believer in the power of enticing photographs in cookbooks. I won’t even buy a cookbook if it doesn’t have big, glossy, color photographs. Call me shallow, but you eat with your eyes first, people. Anyway, here’s a sampling of the photos:

Have you ever met a celebrity and/or attended a book signing? I attended a book signing with Alton Brown a few years ago. It was wall-to-wall packed in that bookstore, so I never got a chance to actually meet him.

Filed under: Product Review