20b - Monterey Bay Report

Note:
First, an apology. Due to an unusually hectic work schedule, I had to take a short "sabbatical" from being agent to the Flats. (The boys didn't seem to mind, they had logged quite a few frequent flier miles recently and appreciated the rest.) Sorry for the delay. Thank you for your understanding.
--Dana

Since Flat BA is a man of few words and I'm a woman of many, I agreed to let FBA give you the short version of the Cooking Demo with Alton Brown and Darina Allen at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cooking for Solutions event on Friday evening, May 16, 2008. Take it away, FBA.
--GoldenGirl

Thanks, GoldenGirl.
If you want the long-winded version, you'll have to read her posts. I hope you have a comfy chair!

First off, bernabee was an awesome hostess and a really sweet person. I got to hang out with her and GG Friday night and then we hooked up with LucyLu, cornchili, Missjane and her daughter, Elizabeth, the next day (more on that later).

The cooking demo with Alton and Darina was pretty cool especially since Darina is this big deal chef from Ireland (International Cooking Teacher of the Year) with a TV show, a fancy cooking school and best-selling cookbooks AND she'd never even heard of Alton Brown! She called him "Alvin" -- twice!! Man, that was just too funny.

Darina cooked a whole flounder with herb butter which did look tasty. Alton, being Alton, kept asking "why are you doing that" questions but I don't think she's used to working with a sidekick so it kind of threw her in the beginning. You could tell the audience was filled with Good Eats fans and they really got AB's humor -- Darina, not so much. In the end, Darina and Alton made a funny comedy team and I'd watch their act on TV anytime. Also, you could tell they both share the same passions for quality food prepared simply but well AND for choosing foods with an eye toward sustainability -- especially seafood.
**Darina and Alton working as a team

Following the demo, bernabee and GoldenGirl made a beeline for the stage in order to ask Alton for his signature. (Those wacky girls, don't they know they can wait and do that at the wine and hors d'oeuvre reception that follows? -- Apparently NOT.) Here's how the conversation went. (Oh, and notice that bernabee has NO lines. At this point she was just awestruck -- I don't think AB noticed she was standing there with GG who was doing ALL the talking.)

**That's me, Flat BA, with Alton. GG is the blond on the left; bernabee is the brunette on the right.
(I'm calling that guy in the back "Alton's assistant" but he probably has a better title than that.)

AB: "Oh, now YOU have him . . . is this guy just going to keep following me?"

GG: "Yes. Well, this guy (Flat BA) and the other guy (Flat AB)."

GG: "Would you do us a really big favor and add 'Chicago 3/15/08' and 'Atlanta 3/29/08' to our Flat BA clone since those original signatures weren't copied?"

AB: "You want me to LIE?!!!"

GG: "No, not 'lie' just document the previous signings since those signatures were lost when, you know . . . "

AB: "What's in is for me?"

GG: "It would just make us really, really happy."

AB: "Oh, all right."

AB (writes): "Chicago 3/15/08 AB"

AB (to his assistant): "Hey, when was I in Atlanta? I don't remember doing anything in Atlanta."
GG: "Actually, that was the Cobb County Library fundraiser on March 29th. See, here's a photograph of your original signature on the back of the original Flat BA."
AB: "Oh yeah, okay."

AB (writes): "Atlanta 3/29/08 AB"

AB (writes): "Monterey 5/16/08 AB"

GG: "Thank you!"

AB: "Hey, I didn't sign that . . . what's THAT?!"


GG (puzzled): "I don't know." [It says CLONED 4/13/08]

FBA (turns to bernabee, who is looking at AB all starry-eyed):
"Uh, are you still alive??? Earth to bernabee! Look, she's starting to catch flies in her mouth!"

AB: "C'mon . . . don't you want wine?! Let's all go get some wine!"

By all accounts, the Monterey event was a wonderful experience. Please visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium's website for information on future events.

20a - FBA meets Alton at Monterey Bay, CA!

Here's a sneak peek at the Monterey Bay Aquarium event.
Just a taste... of what's to come!

Bernabee, Alton, Flat BA, and Golden Girl.

Alton - swimming in the Kelp Forest!

Bernabee, Flat BA, Golden Girl, and LucyLu.
What a darling picture!

Stay tuned for more pics and details...
--Dana

19 - FAB and Alton in the Gateway City! -And Good Eats With Friends

FAB went to visit with "eye4got" so he would be in town for Alton's appearance and booksigning. This is another stop on his "Feasting on Asphalt - The River Run Book Tour."
I'll let eye4got fill you in on the rest
--Dana

Hi everyone, it's me - eye4got,
FAB came to visit St. Louis.
Our first stop was the warehouse at my 2nd job.
An apron just wasn't going to cut it there.
So, we got him some proper safety gear.
(Like the hat?)
This alcohol may be 190 proof but it is not good eats (or drinks).

Is this the secret ingredient that gives Twinkies their 20-year shelf life?

FAB helped me ship some orders.

This is a street sign near my house. There wasn't any place to park near the intersection so I had to stop on the shoulder about a quarter mile away and walk up.Eye got some strange looks while taking this picture.

Mystic, Tena, Steve, Daniel, FAB, Kristina and Itchyfoot at the Thai Restaurant.
FAB was surprisingly adept at using chopsticks and he liked his first taste of Thai food.
After dinner, Itchyfoot and Eye made our way down to Ted Drewe's for some frozen custard.FAB remembered seeing Ted Drewes spotlighted on Alton's Feasting on Asphalt show during season 1.The next morning, the group met for brunch. After all that ice cream the night before - coffee and orange juice seemed a healthy choice for FAB. (Well, at least the juice part.)Tena and FAB smile for the camera.

Little Daniel summed up our experience nicely.

FAB never seems to pass up an opportunity to stop and smell the roses - er, tulips.
*FAB waves to Honeycomb and give her permission to release the stranglehold she has had on the Groundhog since February.*
Waiting to be let in to the book signing, we chatted with Amy whose husband was going through military orientation prior to being deployed. Eye told her about the GEFP and invited her to join. She seemed like she'd fit in well with us. FAB says her hubby later joined up - soldiermedic.
Next we headed up to a private reception for friends of the bookstore and their friends. (Kudos to JJ.)FAB poses with Rotten and Jugglergirl.

After the private reception Alton had a little Q and A.
FAB says "Alton spoke to the masses."
Yep, this is a former church.

Alton recognized Flat AB.

And, finally here's a shot of the 3 of us - Alton, Flat AB...and eye4got.

Thanks for the recap and fantastic photos, eye4got!

While Flat AB was off exploring St. Louis, his brother Flat BA, headed off to California. Alton will be hosting the Monterey Bay Aquarium's events on sustainable seafood choices, "Cooking for Solutions" this weekend, May 15-17, 2008.

There are rumors that Alton will be "swimmin' with da fishes"
and FBA just can't wait to see that!

--Dana

16 - East Coast Briner Meet Dining in Style!

Hey kids!
I just flew in from the East Coast and man, are my arms tired!

Actually, I'm still on a plane.
I'll arrive in Chicago soon, then after a quick layover, I'm off again.

But, hey - I had a fantastic weekend with a bunch of Briners and took a LOT of pictures! (As usual, click on the picture to see it bigger.)
Okay, first, you know what Briners are, right?
If you are a loyal fan of my blog, this is "old hat." They are a swell group of Alton fans who not only talk about good eats - but they prepare them and eat them, too!

Every few months a different group gets together someplace in the nation. This month it was the East Coasters.

And, there will be a Midwest Meet soon.
But, that's another post. *Wink*

So, a bunch o' Briners gathered at the beeeautiful Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV.
Nice place, huh?!
On Friday night Pixietoes, Kinsley, and Mongo joined KittyFixer, SlamDunkPro and me for champange and hor'dourves in the FAB suite.
KittyFixer teasted SDP that only HE would bring food to a 4 star resort, but...

"Hey, it’s a Briner Meet...Soneone's gotta cook, right?"

SlamDunkPro served:
Crab Salad in phyllo cups, Sun Dried tomato & basil pesto on water crackers with fresh mozzarella, and Hot Szechuan shrimp wrapped in snowpeas.
It was all fan-tastic!

Saturday morning we headed into town. The Blue Moon Café is a fun place for a casual meal. Mongo and I munched on the Monument burger, which only comes one way – whatever way the chef feels like making it!
We all consumed mass quantities of their signature French fries which were excellent (not Popburger, but close). Then we headed back to the Inn.

Okay, confession time.
Sometimes I get a little jealous that Flat BA has a bike and I don't.
I scampered up on a gentleman’s BMW bike and tried to go for a ride. At least I got to pretend.
*Smile*
Dinnertime arrived, and of course I was was ready!
First there were the appetizers.
This one was the "Seafood “Trio” was really good.
Smoked Salmon with Citrus Crème Fraiche, Smoked Trout over Corn and Truffle Pudding, & Seared Scallop with Melon and Mint Salsa.

Vicky tried to explain what all that means. Then Eric tried.
But, it went over my head. (So much does!)
I just know it's good eats.

Before the main dishes arrived, we had a little entertainment.
You guys remember the "Mini-Vick's" ?
Sure, you do!
I stayed with them in Pennsylvania last month.
*Laugh*
I guess spoons are multi-taskers, too!

Then, it was my turn.
I did my best Frank Sinatra song.
(I was dressed for it.)
Okay, Pixie, it wasn't THAT funny!
(Maybe it was...)
There were MANY amazing entrees.
This one was:
Quails stuffed with Game Mousseline and Foie Gras, Pistachio Pesto Herbed Spaetzle and Seared Foie Gras with Huckleberry Gastrique.

Confession:
I cheated and got help from SDP and Kinsley on that one.
I thought it tasted great.
But, honestly, I don't know all those words yet.

Me? I woulda said:
Little chickens with some mousse-y stuff, with some, well, it was like liverwurst, but the BEST liverwurst IN THE WORLD!
And, some pasta with some fruity sauce.
(It was good. I know THAT much!)

I almost forgot about dessert!
We had cheesecake and all sorta of pastry thingies.

Didn't the ladies look pretty?
I was sorry to see the night end.

Okay gang, soon I'll be in Chicago, then St. Louis!
Gonna see the real Alton there.

And, Flat BA?
Well, he's been laying low, but he's gonna hit the road soon, too. He's off to New Orleans to see Alton on his "Feasting on Asphalt - The River Run" book tour.

If you need information on Alton's appearances, you can check his schedule at www.altonbrown.com. Look under "Where's AB?"

See you soon!
--Flat AB

14- FBA Meets Alton in Marietta! Cool Beans!

Last Saturday, Holliebrooke brought Flat BA to a fund raiser for the Cobb County Library Foundation held at Walker School.

FBA really liked that school...a lot!
Guess who else was there?

Yes, ladies and germs, it's Alton himself. Now, FBA didn't actually get a picture with Alton this time, but he told me it didn't matter. FBA still had fun listening to Alton talk about things like "Chicken doesn't have fingers!" LOL.

Here are a few Briners who hung out at the Walker School. There's Rachel from Marietta and Melissa (GeorgiaPeach), who seems to have lost her way and now lives in Birmingham, Alabama! And, then there's Holliebrooke, who rode in with FBA from South Carolina.

There were a MESS of others who were there, too. There was Tigger, and Liza (pronounced Leeza), Railfan, and HunterAP and his wife. (Hope I didn't miss anyone.)

And, rumor has it that....Widdi Turner was there, too. If that name doesn't ring a bell, that'd be "Frances Anderson, Alton Brown's Biggest Fan."

I'll let Hollie take it from here...
Hi kids! Hollie, here.
Okay THAT photo is just Melissa and me being goofy after the event.

Then we stopped at Cool Beans...because, well, we could!

Flat BA enjoyed his iced mocha and he regaled us with tales - including the fact that part of the espresso show might have been filmed there.

Back home in Greer, South Carolina, FBA just wouldn't hush until I got him some BBQ.

Flat BA ordered the all-you-can eat ribs. He somehow managed to eat two whole plates! (And, he made sure to eat his veggies. Mac and cheese and hush puppies are veggies, right?) He can sure pack it away for a little guy! And, he still had room for the Sweet Potato Crunch! Now THAT alone is worth the trip to Mutt's!

Finally, just before packing his little bags to send him off to the East Coast, I brought FBA to work with me so I could explain what I do for a living. He was making wise cracks and making me laugh.

I'm kinda sad to see the little guy go!
I has lots of fun with him!! :)
--Hollie
One last picture.
FBA says this one is special.
He just grins, takes a deep breath, and says, "Ah...barbecue!"

Stay tuned for more adventures with Flat AB and Flat BA.
"Same Flat time, same Flat channel."
--Dana