Check out my progress on Getting to Know Alton
As you all know from last night’s post, I had two tests today. All that hard work was made worthwhile, however, because I knew that I had a special treat awaiting me at the end of the day—I was going to an Alton Brown book signing!
Although I arrived over an hour before Alton was scheduled to speak, the small independent bookstore where the signing was held (Quail Ridge Books) was packed. It took me a good 15 minutes even to find a parking spot! Nonetheless, I did eventually gain admission and waited with my gastronomy classmates. The man of the hour finally made an appearance and answered several questions from the audience. Below are pertinent highlights from his responses:
Favorite episode of Good Eats: The second episode discussing oatmeal that has not yet aired. (Can’t wait to see it!)
Favorite class in culinary school: Fine Wines
Favorite Food Network show: None! He doesn’t even watch television anymore.
Least favorite food: mother-in-law’s pork chops!
Ideal last meal: Little Debbie Snack Cakes and beer. (Who doesn’t love a Zebra Cake?)
Tips on weigh loss: Alton last 50 pounds over the last year, so he had a few recommendations for those wishing to do the same.
- Identify “danger foods”—for Alton, it’s milk. All too often they seduce him into eating an entire row of cookies.
- Reduce alcohol intake
- Reduce meat consumption (yee-haw for vegetarianism!)
- Increase physical activity—Alton works out 6 times per week.
Currently reading: Storyteller (biography of Roald Dahl)
I’ve always enjoyed Good Eats. However, my interest is now particularly piqued not only because I have seen him speak in-person but also because of my growing knowledge of food science—I love learning about the chemical principles behind cooking. Translation: I now want every Good Eats episode on DVD.
If you could meet any celebrity chef, who would it be? Meeting Ellie Krieger would be a dream come true—I want to be her!
Let’s take a look at my own good eats of the day…
Trail mix is a highly underrated oatmeal topping. I love me some sweet n’ salty action.
Today I realized how type A I must appear as a result of my lunch-packing. There was a girl observing me eating lunch today, and I’m pretty sure she thought I was crazy with all my little jars and containers. Ah well. If the shoe fits…
Once home from the book-signing, I craved veggies…lots of them. Hence, tonight’s dinner.
Alright, I am off to work on my Julia Child project. Au revoir!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I love Alton Brown! I remember watching his road trip show and he put on some serious weight during the filming of that. I think they said he gained over 10 pounds? Anyways, he looks good now!
Glad you got to meet him!
Sooo jealous! I actually just finished watching the episode on Oat Cuisine! Fabulous!
Next up = a Brian Boitano book-signing
How exciting you got to hear Alton Brown speak– I’m jealous.
Mmmm, if I could meet a famous Food Network chef it would have to be well of course, Ellie– I do love her as she is a typical healthy cook I love. But another would be Giada Di Laurentiis. She’s amazing, talented, beautiful…. If only.
Little secret…Alton and I have the same literary agent
I need to check out Good Eats! sounds fun!
love those little jars, so cute!
I would like to meet Alton Brown. He brings more then just recipes but a way of cooking. That is neat you got to see him.
Alton Brown is such a cool guy. Love his shows.
If I could meet another chef, I would go with Bobby Flay or Mario Batali.
That’s so cool you got to meet Alton Brown! WHAT IS THIS ABOUT AN OATMEAL EPISODE? xD
I also love that he is reading about Roald Dahl, aka best person ever.
That is SO cool! I would want to meet Paula Deen(I’ve seen her talk in person, but she would be a hoot to get to know personally.)
oh my gosh! That is so cool. What a great signing to attend. I had no idea he just lost all that weight. Sounds like he had some great and honest answers to the questions. Your dinner plate has me craving spaghetti squash goodness. Have a good weekend- hope you get lots of relax time
love learning about the food science behind altons shows! hes so great
i saw alton on gma the other morning make avacado ice cream and it looked AMAZING! haha he was so funny about it too
i really like him a lot and i’m glad you got to see him!
I’m so jealous, he was in Houston while I was in Austin and I was sad to miss out! I am very analytical and love the way he presents food! One of my favorite shows.
Hi Caroline! This is Ana, we were talking on twitter before the book signing.
I did go and I actually saw you there, you were talking to two other girls and I was a bit shy to interrupt… Then after AB talked I didn’t see you anymore.
Wasn’t it the greatest thing to see him talk? OMG, he is everything I thought he would be and more, so fun! I love AB!
I actually waited and got my book signed, and also a picture with him, I couldn’t be more happy!
I did a post about it too if you want to take a look: http://kitchenspace.blogspot.com/2010/10/awesome-brown-being-foodie-as-i-am-and.html
Also, I have met Ellie Krieger already! I also love her and am really puzzled why they stopped her show, I enjoyed seeing her on TV. Plus I have her book and really enjoy the recipes – have made lots of them.
I met her at a very small thing she had at A Southen Season, it was super nice, she even sat at my table (with 2 more girls) and talked to us for a good bit of the time. She didn’t actually cook on that day but we had a luncheon with her including several of her recipes.
She is a sweet person, super nice too, I totally enjoyed meeting her and I am sure you will too someday!
This is the post I talked about Ellie: http://kitchenspace.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-new-idol-recipes-meet-ellie-more-yes.html
I have also met Giada, she is pretty and super nice also, smiling all the time!
Hope you have a great weekend, and that maybe one day we can get together, maybe have lunch at Whole Foods or something. We are so close, it would be fun to meet another blogger that have such similar interests as I do!
Ana
AH i am jealous. Love him! Thanks for sharing.
That is so awesome! Total celebrity time. My brain says Ellie Krieger but my heart tells me that I’d just have to meet Paula Deen.