First time meeting Alton Brown

In August 2007, I attended Alton's cooking demo at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. I convinced my friend go. Under the guise of visiting Vanderbilt University (my friend is interested in the Vanderbilts like I am with cooking and Alton), I asked her if she wanted to go. I still feel bad we never made it to the school.

But we did see Alton. His demo was a laugh-a-minute. Just like Good Eats. I got to see AB make marshmallows before the marshmallow episode aired. The live show was awesome, completely worth the trip. Later that evening was the meet-and-greet. I paid for it, figured I’m coming all this way I have to meet him. I was nervous, had been for weeks. I didn’t want to make a complete fool of myself in front of him. I also worried he wouldn’t be that nice, maybe a hi and sign my item then move along.

Nevertheless, my friend and I got down to the location of the meet and greet early. We were second in line. As we waited I thought about what to say and a above don’t make a fool of yourself. The event people pulled a man and his family up to the head of the line, so they got to meet Alton first. Then we were let into the room. I got my nametag and stood there waiting.

He came out. He talked to the enormous line of people. We clapped for him. I got even more nervous. The first group was finished, then the people in front of me approached him. I know my palms were sweaty. When the usher told me and my friend to come up I could feel my knees weakening. Everything was becoming a blur. There was Alton Brown standing in front of me. What was I to do? Don't act like a moron, that's what!

He signed my friend’s apron first. Then turned to me. I looked right at him. He asked my name. I forgot it. His wisecrack about my nametag made me feel better. Then the floodgates opened. I started talking to him. We chatted. Chatted about a lot of things include what I did for a living. That was a little surreal, here I am wanting to see him and he's asking me about my job! Anyway, his affable manner really made me feel better, almost like a friend. I got my picture with him. He is an extremely nice man, a real genuinely great guy. And maybe that’s why I’m such a fan.

That goofy guy on Good Eats, that cool motorcycle dude on Feasting on Asphalt, that quick-witted commentator on Iron Chef America, all of that IS Alton. And I'm happy to call myself a fan of Alton Brown.