Catch Alton Brown Sunday in the Next Iron Chef

I have neglected to talk much about the Next Iron Chef competition amid all of the other Alton Brown related happenings in October. Now that November is upon us, his book tour is over, let's get down to talking about some of the shows. Since the Next Iron Chef hasn't received much attention, I'll start there.

This week's new episode, premiering Sunday night at 9 p.m. Eastern, will test the remaining chefs in the "Pressure" challenge and eliminate two of them in the process. The first task at hand for the six remaining will be to create essence of Indian cuisine in one bite in only 30 minutes time. The main challenge has the chefs cooking a five-course Indian fest in only two hours.

Thus far in the competition, ethnic cuisines have played a major role. Week one brought world ingredients. Week two had international cooking vessels. Last week it was Mexico, the week before Asian and in coming challenges Indian and Japanese. It does make interesting challenges for the chefs especially when a style is not a strong suit.

Right now, there's not one favorite chef for me--unlike the first Next Iron Chef when I was with John Besh from the first episode. Seamus Mullen would be my front runner right now, he's been strong in several of the challenges and seems to have skill to prepare many dishes. Personality wise, I enjoy Roberto Treviño.

Alton's role in the show is enjoyable, as always. The first week he was deliciously annoying going to and fro chef stations asking what they were making. The chefs handled his interruptions well, personally, if I were there I may have told him to go away. Yes, I would've told my culinary hero he was annoying the crap of me. The Koren taco cart scene in week two was classic AB. But last week his lecture to Chef Jehangir Mehta about the many failed ice cream attempts was an unexpected element to the main challenge. Although, Alton was correct on Chef Mehta missing the mark with ice cream, in the end, Chef Mehta pulled off his frozen dessert in the challenge.

Once the smoke clears and field is two chefs smaller, the remaining contestants will fly off to Japan and a special date with Iron Chef lore. Can't wait to see that episode, but before AB and crew head to the Land of the Rising Sun, two must be cut. Remember to tune in Sunday night to find which four survive.

Alton Brown is a terrific guy!

It is hard to believe, but it was two weeks ago that I saw Alton Brown in Washington, DC. What is even more difficult to believe is that I have neglected to tell the best tale of the whole experience!

Right after the early reports came back from the Smithsonian there was some active chatting about the lapel pin Alton had on his sports coat that evening. In case anyone is still curious to what it was, let me explain. This photo is the best shot I had of the item in question. And what AB has on the lapel is an airplane pin. A Cessna airplane pin.


The reason I know what he wore was because it was a gift from his #1, uberfan... aka ME!

That morning at the Sur La Table book signing in Arlington, Va., I brought the gift. It almost a regular thing now for me to bring Alton a little something a small way of thanking him for being such a great culinary teacher, creator of fine television programs and books and everything else!

So this time I pondered what to bring. As with any gift I give, it is important to me that my recipient's interests, likes, etc are as much a part of the selection process as the gift itself. So I knew it had to be something Alton likes or uses. After some thought, I knew it had to involve an airplane.

With luck I found something that would be perfect. A pewter Cessna airplane pin from a website and knew that would be what I brought along.

At the morning book signing, after Alton ribbed me about coming to see him yet again, signed the books, talked about big city driving the last thing for our interaction was to present the gift. I pulled a square red box out of my bag and told Alton I had something for him. He took the box, looked it over and I said open it! He did and when he saw the pin he said, "It's a plane." Then something about it being a single wing something. At that point, I hadn't a clue what he was talking about all I knew was the place I bought it said it is Cessna and it kind of looked like the plane I saw AB using in a few episodes.

Alton continued to talk about the pin and his own plane. He told me he had a plane that looked like it and flew it there the night before from Boston. I told him I knew about his plane and that's why I bought that for him. He smiled at me, thanked me and told me it was cool. Then I told him about coming the evening's show. He so had to ask my mom if she was coming to the show. She said yes and we left.

After adventurous time between the morning book signing and the evening event, I was happy to be at the Natural History Museum, in a good seat (heck of a seat front row, dead center!) and ready for a fun time.

When Alton appeared on stage at the Bard Auditorium he was dressed in different clothes from the morning. He now was wearing a patterned tan sports coat and a blue button down dress shirt. I caught the glimmer something shinny on his left lapel. Mom also spotted it and poked me. She then said, "he's wearing your pin."

I probably had the biggest, dopiest grin on my face knowing that Alton was wearing the pin I gave him. And that he was nice enough and thoughtful enough to wear it. Even if he never wears it another time, he did once and that's enough. Just that one thoughtful act made me smile.

I know Alton doesn't read this blog, but I sure want to thank him for wearing the pin and making me smile.

Alton Brown makes a pound of cake

Alton Brown will cover pound cake on Monday's new Good Eats episode. I cannot wait to see this because he has an extremely fabulous recipe for pound cake in I'm Just Here for More Food.

I've been making that version since the book came out in 2004.

Check out "A Pound of Cake" Monday at 8 p.m. EST.

The recipes for pound cake and buttermilk pound cake are available at FN site.

Congratulations Alton Brown

Last week at the Smithsonian Institute lecture, Alton Brown proudly announced Good Eats: The Early Years made the New York Times bestseller list. Then in true AB form, quipped that put him into "bonus" territory with his publisher.

I would like to give Alton a big congratulations because I completely forgot to tell him at the post-lecture book signing.

The book is number nine on the Advice/How to list for the week of October 16. The only other cookbook currently on the list is the reissue of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volume 1. That book comes in at number two and has been on the list for nine weeks. Nice company for Alton.

Let's all hope with the book tour and the amount of people purchasing the tome, AB stays there for awhile and maybe even moves up a few spots.

Alton Brown's seafood pledge

Sustainable seafood is an important issue for everyone and but not just because is it something that Alton Brown supports. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch has released a list of chefs and culinary leaders who are lending their support to save seafood and educate others on sustainable seafood choices.

Alton is one of the people on the list who has already joined. And judging from his recent demo using rainbow trout and two upcoming Good Eats episodes on trout and catfish, he is working toward educating his fanbase on the subject.

For me, learning about the organization and the sustainable seafood efferts through being a fan of Alton's have changed the way I buy seafood.

Read more about the pledge and the others taking part.

Photo taken from Seafood Watch's website

Fantastic Fermentation

Monday night's new Good Eats episode, Fermentation Nation, proved to be a prime example of what makes the program the best cooking show on TV and why Alton Brown is best culinary instructor around.

First of all, the topic was one I am not readily in the know about, so that gave the episode an added plus. Being not much of a wine or beer consumer, the details of selecting, pairing and using alcohol in cooking is a process I am learning. Having Alton give names of wines to use was much needed and I now feel better when it comes time to pick out a bottle for a dish.

However, the food quizzes on which item went well with the alcohol of choice was pretty easy.

The best part, however, was the discussion of corkscrews, with Lever Man. Those devices have been quite problematic for me in the past. I have bent one, had one that is too small, broke corks. Yeah, I real pain and I haven't opened that many bottles of wine! So, the one Alton recommended will be on my list to seek out.

The winning recipe from the episode looks to be that beer/cheese bread. That is going on the must try list!

For both recipes from the episode, the lamb shoulder chops and the beer bread, head over to FN's site by clicking here.

Overall, this was one great episode for learning about using fermented alcohols, oh and how can you not like the ones when the yeasties appear? Five fine wine bottles for a great episode! Although, I liked the name on the fridge, Food Under the Influence, better for the title.

Alton Brown on Dennis Miller Show

Alton Brown was on Dennis Miler's talk show this morning, I missed it. Actually caught the end of it online when AB was talking about popcorn and maybe his daughter?

Anyway, if the show hasn't aired in your neck of the woods, check it out. If it has, or isn't carried locally like in my area, the website will upload the segment later.

Dennis Miller Show

Meeting Alton Brown at Sur La Table

When I found out in addition to being at the Smithsonian, Alton Brown was going to have a book signing at Sur La Table in Arlington, Va., I had to attend both while in the Washington, DC area. And I am so glad this was on my list. Every time I converse with AB, I learn something or get an interesting tidbit.This time I found out about the book club version of I'm Just Here for the Food. But I'll start from the beginning.

When I walked up to Alton, he had turned around to greet me with, "Don't you get tired of coming to these things?" I laughed and told him something dumb about needing to get others involved to justify buying books. Then he was concerned that my trip was far. I told him just the next state over, West Virginia. He said I know, that's why I asked. We talked about big city driving a little bit. After that, I had to confess I was attending the Smithsonian show as well.

We chatted about something, then he saw my copy of IJHFMF. I pulled a sneaky thing by going to the car after buying the copies of the Good Eats book and getting a place in line. I wanted AB to see my copy, tabbed up and well used. This was a copy I bought used on half.com to use in place of my real copy. Since I love this book so much, I needed a backup! ;)

When AB saw the book he told me these are hard to find because it was a book club edition printed on cheap paper, a not too good binding and they aren't made anymore. He said they fall apart. I told him that it was my working copy, thus the tabs. When he signed it, he placed it over for the ink to dry while we talked a bit more. Thanks to the cheap paper I got a little longer chat with him. ;)

Favorite photo from Alton Brown booksigning

Looking through the photos from the trip to see Alton Brown in Washington, DC there was one that made me chuckle and quickly became my favorite.

The nice people at Sur La Table where in charge of taking photos of AB talking with his adoring public. This was one of mine:


At first, I couldn't figure out what was on Alton's ears. Then it clicked, the logo on the window!

But the best was the man peering through the window watching. Those were the poor folks still waiting to get their chance to see AB.

Back from seeing Alton Brown

I made it home from the Washington, DC area -- Arlington, Va. to be exact -- this evening after seeing Alton Brown yet again. I had two events this time, one at Sur La Table, which was also the first time I was in one of those stores, and the Smithsonian. Second time there, if you're curious.

The performance at the Smithsonian turned out not to be about Good Eats after all and was AB's current lecture on his 10 food rules to live by. I was a bit disappointed in that. The lecture was great, lots of laughs, but the show was sold as a Good Eats retrospective I hope people didn't plan on this being a lighter version of the show in Atlanta. I didn't matter to me, since I had been to the Anniversary show but others may have been looking forward to that.

Lots to tell later.

Alton Brown on NPR

Big, big thanks to reader Jill Michel for rooting out an upcoming Alton Brown interview. Sunday, October 11, AB will be on Weekend Edition Sunday.

The website is here. Be sure to check your local listings. Looks like the show will be put online later in the today.

Alton Brown at 2009 New York City Wine & Food Festival

2009 New York City Wine & Food Festival-Alton Brown Signing Copies of Good Eats-The Early Years
Originally uploaded by New York City Wine and Food Festival

I was surfing out on Flickr and found a set of photos of Alton Brown from the FN NYC Wine and Food Festival. This one made me giggle.

Several Alton Brown interviews

Being out and about yesterday at the International Chili Society's World's Championship Chili Cookoff, I missed posting a few Alton Brown related articles. I was not a competitor, by the way, I was volunteering as a chili server. The competition is this weekend in my area, Charleston, W.Va., and I had to get involved somehow. I'm now a chili wench!

Anyway, with the blitz of the booktour AB has been interviewed by a ton of folks. Sadly, I'm not one of them; though I asked to be included but was told this blog is not allowed to participate in interviews because it is operated by a fan.

Up first, the November issue of Food Network Magazine has a nice article on Good Eats.

The Los Angeles Times has an article on AB, GE and the possible end of the show in a year. Article is here.

Trading Markets.com has another article on the show and mostly on the new book. See it here.

And the AV Club has a very similar interview on its site. Click here.

And finally, the Good Eats Anniversary show airs tonight at 10pm EST.

Alton Brown's wacky smoothie machine and eggs

If you missed Alton Brown on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, he made smoothies for the segment. But not ordinary smoothies.



Part 2


These might pop up again in another show this weekend.

The madness didn't stop. This morning on the CBS Early Show AB talked about eggs.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

The CBS show was, by far, the best segment of the week. Host Harry Smith let Alton talk and cook and be AB. Great. The Jimmy Fallon segment was a close second, however. Both much better that the Today show!

Alton Brown talks smack about Top Chef

If you're an Alton Brown fan and a Top Chef, you may not want to read this interview.

AB said the show was a "sous chef kind of show." But he retracted it after the interviewer pointed out somethings about the show. I don't watch it either (Alton said he didn't watch it) so no harm no foul. ;)

Alton Brown on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

The whirlwind book tour and plugging continues tonight (or early Friday morning) for Alton Brown. He will be a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, check you local listings for this. Where I am, it is on at 12:35.

I've never watched this show, I prefer The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (oh that Scotish accent). But I loved Jimmy on Saturday Night Live :)

I've scoped out the show's website, full episodes and clips are posted... yay!

Alton Brown on The View

The full episode of The View featuring Alton Brown is now up on ABC's website. Go here to watch the show online. While you are there, go to the show's main page and scroll on the video screen for "Alton's Exit Interview." Or click here for the direct link. It is a nice little chat with AB. And thanks, again, the reader Vicky for the find.

I was pleasantly surprised by the segment on The View, far better than the Today Show segment.

And remember AB has two more TV guest appearances this week. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC) on Thursday night (Friday morning, depends on how you look at it) and The Early Show (CBS) on Friday morning.

Alton Brown on Today

Thanks to reader, Vicky, for the heads up in the link of the this morning's Today Show segment with Alton Brown. He made crepes. I wish he had more time to talk! The View segment was awesome!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The link is acting strange, if the link is still wonky try here: Today Show

Carving pumpkins with Alton Brown

There is a cute and fun seasonal video over on Food Network's website featuring Alton Brown and pumpkin seeds. First, AB shows us how to disassemble the gourd and then what to do with the seeds.

Watch Roasting Pumpkin Sees with Alton

Roasted pumpkins seeds are one of the few things I can remember about kindergarden. Our teacher brought in an eletric skillet, we carved pumpkins and made roasted seeds. Guess I've had an unnatural attraction to cooking and food my whole life. ;)

I was thinking about making some roasted seeds this year, when and if I carve up a pumpkin... leaning more toward doing that now. ;)

Alton Brown makes me famous... sort of

About two weeks ago I received an email from a reporter with the Wall Street Journal asking if I would talk about going to see Alton Brown at live events. I was floored, flabbergasted, etc. that she found out about me. Ah the power of the Internet.

So I replied back and discovered she was writing an article about fans who have gone to their favorite TV chefs. As we talked she was excited to learn about my experiences and wanted to include them in her article.

WOW!

So I found out a moments ago the article is posted online, and it will be on the front page of the Weekend Section of Friday's edition.

My favorite part of the article:

The live show has also given her a chance to meet Mr. Brown in person. At a recent performance in Atlanta, she says, Mr. Brown told her he remembered her. Mr. Brown could not be reached for comment.

I'm thinking AB would be reacting something like that photo ;)

Anywoo, I'm now famous! Ok, I'm not but I'm in the WSJ!

Here's the whole article, Rock-Star Chefs, you'll know which one is me... I think.

Alton Brown and Welch's Redux

Looks at the recent Welch's grape juice ad campign with Alton Brown was successful enough to warrent a second round of commericals. AB recently filmed a new batch in a grape orchard in New York state. This new round is slated for showing November 1. I suppose they needed a slimmed down version for the new blitz.

More on grapes and the ads here.

Alton Brown lectures at Oakland University

Fellow blogger, Rich, has a great recap of AB's event at Oakland University from last night!

Head over to his site to read about AB and the sign language interpreter, Chinese chili and quip about Dancing with the Stars.

I'm so glad it was a great show for the fans and the university.

AB at Oakland University