It’s hard to believe, but last week at this time I had just returned home from Nashville, TN. It’s all still a great big blur because I met my favorite TV personality of all-time, Alton Brown. From the way I floated around this week, you would think I was my first time seeing him. But it wasn’t. Try the third time and the second time this year! Nonetheless, I was giddy going down and in a fog coming back. I’m hopeless.
The great afternoon started with Alton’s fabulous demo (see the post below). Immediately after the demo, all of the meet and greet ticket holders—moi included—rushed up a floor to get in line to see Alton. Besides meeting Alton, the event included some food for us. Everything was from either Good Eats or one of Alton’s cookbooks. I had the potstickers, spinach artichoke dip, Swedish meatballs and some veggies. All of these things I also make, by the way, so I knew it was going to be good.
After munching and chatting with a few people there, I got in line to see Alton. Then I became very nervous. I don’t know why. I’ve met him before. He’s really nice, charming and friendly. I think part of my nervousness stemmed from meeting him by myself. Last year at my first meeting with him, my friend came with me. Earlier this year, my mom came along. She even marveled about how shy little me yakked away with Alton. I shocked myself both times meeting him. I was certain I would clam up and not utter a word but I didn’t!
So there I am in line, my shy self about to make me clam up. My hands were so cold. The biggest thing running through my brain was not to act like a star struck fangirl! Then the moment of truth! I was next to see Alton Brown!
First I handed my camera off to Alton’s assistant. He was taking pictures for people. I’ve seen this guy in a few episodes of Good Eats, but I didn’t shout that out! Instead handed my camera to him and told him that everything was set on auto so he shouldn't have a problem with the camera (a have a Canon Digital Rebel). Then I turned back to see Alton.
He was just kinda looking at me, not saying anything. I think he was reading my t-shirt. I wore my “I think, therefore iMac” shirt just for him because he’s a Mac user like me. So I walked over to Alton and extended my hand and told him my name. I was so excited that I jumped the gun a bit. Usually Alton breaks the ice by introducing himself, but I was so nervous and he was standing right in front of me, it just came out. Then I got the “Hi I’m Alton” greeting with a little smile and I knew everything was going to be great!
I told Alton that I'm doing a better job at remembering my name then told him a totally spazed out last year and forgot my name. He quickly replied, "You have a nametag." I said, "That's what you told me last year!" We had a laugh over it.
The first thing he did was asked if the poster was for me. We got posters for Alton to sign at the meet and greet. I handed it to him and said yes. That’s when my shyness flew out the door. I asked for a special message on my poster. I asked him if he would make it out to his number one fan. Alton promptly asked if I really was his number one fan. I told him some dumb thing because my brain wasn’t thinking properly. I should’ve said of course, why else would I dedicate a whole website and blog to you? Wait, that’s a bit creepy… glad I didn’t say that!
After I talked a bit, he bent down on the tall table and started writing on my poster. It looked like he was trying to hide what his was writing from me because he had his arm blocking my view. He gave it back to me, of course I have no idea what he said to me, but it was probably funny. During our interaction, his assistant took a few pictures of me and AB talking and in one he has a huge smile on his face. I’d love to remember what we were talking about then or what I said to him!
We talked more then Alton spotted my other item. It was a small plate in the same pattern he uses on Good Eats. He asked. “What do you want me to do it that?” I said, “Sign it.” Alton took the plate, flipped it over to read the brand and then started drawing his little AB character on it! Yes! I got the little guy this time! Alton told me not to break the plate on the way home.
He handed it back to me. I was probably smiling the world’s dopiest grin. As we talked more, I remembered the last item I had. A small Food Network keychain I won from an Internet contest on FN fan page. I worried it was too small for him to sign, but I asked anyway. Alton took it and said he would sign anything. I chattered on and on about it being too small. After he finished, Alton slid the keychain across the table to me and asked, “How’s that?” I don’t know what exactly I said, but I was ecstatic because the little AB character was on it too! I think I told him it was perfect or something like that. All I really know is I was happy!
The last part was to get a picture with him. We stood close together, he put his arm around me like I was his buddy—I know, he did it with everyone else too—but it was really nice of him. After the picture, I turned toward him and was face-to-face with him and I thanked him for everything. After that, I floated on my merry way.
There’s just something really special about Alton and it really shows when you meet him. I don’t know if he’s just so personable and charming that he knows how to interact with people or what, but he really does a great job with meeting his fans. Each time I’ve met Alton it was been wonderful. I know he can’t possibly remember me, but in the one-on-one interactions he acts like he’s your friend. There are a lot of famous people who need to take lessons from Alton on how to treat their fandom. I showed my pictures to a few of my close friends—sorry not posting here I look awful in them! I rarely take a good picture—and everyone was impressed that in the photos Alton looked so interested in what I was saying. Whether or not he was, at least he makes you feel like he does.
Alton Brown is just a great guy! Besides that he makes my favorite cooking show and is the only person who can make me watch a food/travel show. I hope he does this demo again next year… you know I’ll be going!
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