Eleventh Alton Brown Meeting

If you're a regular reader, you know I spent last weekend in Marietta, Ga. to see Alton Brown do a demo as a fundraiser for the Walker School. You also know that due to restrictions, I cannot bring you the typical full slate of photos and video that normally accompany the write ups about the events. I am, however, in the process of trying to land some photos. While in the book signing line, two girls in front of us, graduates of the school, said the lone photographer there was a teacher at the school. So, I have contacted the school to see if they would be willing to share some of the photos that they may have.

While we wait, I can offer the recount of talking with AB at the book signing. It is hard to believe, even for me, this was the 11th time I saw Alton at event. I have certainly made up time for the years I couldn't get out to his book signings and demos.

At this point, I don't think he gives me a proper greeting anymore. He just sees me and probably thinks "Oh no, she's back." All joking aside, Alton is always warm and friendly to me if not a little snarky too.

Being the tenacious journalist I know I am and wanting with every fiber of my being to get an interview with AB, the subject of my recent interview with Harold McGee had to be brought to his attention. I proudly told him that Dr. McGee was gracious to talk with me about his new book Keys to Good Cooking. I hoped this bit of news would sway Alton and make him see that not only do I enjoy cooking and big fan of his projects but a serious food writer as well.

The revelation of my interview seemed to surprise AB, he looked down at me with big eyes and stepped back. I told him I had a copy of the article with me, which he promptly asked if he could read. I said I brought for him to see and that I hoped he would make him reconsider giving me an interview. At this point I saw his head shaking and heard a low grumbling "No." Undaunted, I said not for the fansite but for my freelance Suite 101 writing. AB said, "No. I don't do that either."

What happened next surprised me, Alton stepped closer to me and asked, "Was he nice?"

I smiled and said, "Yes, very nice." My snarky side failed to launch because I should've have said, "very nice because he let me interview him unlike you." But I didn't.

After my reply, Alton added, "You know I've never met him." I nodded, remembering that he said that in an interview once.

I confessed that talking with Dr. McGee intimidated me because he knows so much about food science. Immedately, Alton replied. "Oh, me too." Then paused and added again, "I've never met him."

Somewhere after this conversation AB's assistant, Jim, has us take a photo (the one above). Alton put his arm across my back and said, "Another one to add to your 600 other photos." I don't remember replying or even laughing at that crack probably because I was saddened that not even the biggest interview of my life worked to change Alton's mind and heart about giving me a shot.

Still sad, I walked over to talk with AB's assistant, aka Twitchy, for a bit while mom talked with Alton. She brought a cow teakettle for him to sign and it caused quite a bit of interest with AB. I heard him ask if it mooed. That caused me to turn around and say that I asked the same question. Alton was totally engrossed in examining the cow and making jokes about how people actually sat around a table and thought about designing something like that.

Then he said, "The cow says." I chimed in with "moo?" He continued, "Oh dear God, it's hot!" and proceeded to write that on the teaketttle.