The Guy Fieri Road Show!
So my bud Guy Fieri put together this crazy “Foodapalooza” Tour! 21 cities in about 30 days. 2 Big Tour bussed and an 18 wheeler full of gear! This would be a tour never before attempted by a Food Network Star. Food, Friends, Music, Beverages and FUN, FUN , FUN! He had local chefs in each market do a warm-up show, then Haden Wood “WOODY” took the stage! A World Class and World Champion Flair bartender. Producing great drinks, and showing off his skills. Then Guy “Guido” Fieri takes the stage with his Krew Kleetus, Dirty-P and a side order of Stretch! DJ Cobra rounded out the show with the tunes. The next hour and a half were filled with food, fun, stories, and 25 gallons of Margaritas! The stage set up was rockin and the crowds were really into it!. Since Guy wasn’t traveling to the deep South I had to go catch up with him in Nashville and Atlanta. So going along with my theme of “I couldn’t write a better script” . I end up being invited to fill in for 4 shows while Kleetus takes care of some other business. So now I’m preparing to perform in Milwaukee, Chicago, Denver and Boise! After the first two shows Guy invites me to stay for the remaining shows! What a blast! On the tour buss traveling to 10 Cities! Check out youtube, and my facebook for photos! Food Network should be airing a 1 hour special later this year! I’ll keep you posted if I get an air date. Be on the look out and if he does this tour again in 2010 you better get a ticket. The VIP seats are well worth it by the way. Did I mention 25 gallons of Margaritas!
Serious Patio upgrade!
We started the month talking about a re-model of the patio. Just some basic ideas. A tin roof and a concrete slab to replace the old wood deck and leaky canvas. Well Ms. Bessy my landlady thought that if were gonna do something we should do it right! So the plan was to close in the patio and build onto the kitchen as well. Woo Hoo! I love it. This will be awesome! Then Ms. Bessy’s neighbor Sue Wise come up with one better. There is this Green House at a auction house in Atlanta. Wrought Iron and Tempered glass. Beautiful and just the right size to fit the patio! So this thing was built by Disney World! 10 were commissioned and only 8 used in the Magic Kingdom the other two were in storage. This auction house got a hold of the other two. Turns out George Lucas (Star Wars Creator) got one and we got the other! This thing will be a major addition to Downtown Fairhope and the French Quarter! Pictures to follow.
Latest and the Greatest
Well… things are still kickin’ like a chicken around here. October is off to a great start! Looking for a new spot in Mobile to open a second place and also looking in B’ham. Come by and see us. New article being published in Mobile Bay Magazine next month and a trip to Napa Valley in November!
Up dates
I’ve really been behind on my posts and thinking I had to do everything chronologically. Realizing that by trying to keep everything organized I may never get another story posted. So today begins “in no particular order” some good things happened and happening. So there will be more later on France, Chicago, Nashville and Memphis! Atlantic City was the latest trip. Mike G. (AKA Ground Zero) from Bayway Diner (the first Triple D ever shot) in Jersey called me he was heading over to Atlantic City to hang with Guy at The Food & Wine Show. We all met up there and had a blast! Got to meet Ingrid Hoffman, Ted Allen, Susie Fogelson, Marc Summers. The Boardwalk and the Casinos were really cool. Got to catch up with Guy! Man he has so much going on! New tailgate warriors show. Letterman again in November, Playboy interview! and so much more. Scott & Mike from ergochef.com were on hand at the show. They make some bad ass knives and are launching a new Guy Fieri signature knife! Check it out.
The flight to Vence, France
What a trip Jodi and I had to France! We did get stuck in Atlanta overnight on the way, but that turned out great (see previous story). The flight “over the pond” way really amazing! Over the Atlantic in the middle of the night was so beautiful! Clear sky, but black as pitch and so full of stars! We were surrounded by them! Then as the sun rose the clouds below were like a beautifully iced wedding cake. Although the flight was brutally long especially for a 6′4″ husky dude (not really chubby just a little full figured LOL)! Any way the airport in Frankfurt had a little panini shop and I got to start my day with salame and hard boiled egg panino!
Funny things happen on the way to France
If you didn’t know I was invited to cook for a opening party in Vence, France for Nall the famous artist. This was a rare and exciting opportunity. Being the event was the same date as my 15 year wedding anniversary Jodi was the clear choice for my Sous Chef. More on the trip later. On the way over we missed our connecting flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt. I was not happy about staying an extra 24 hours in Atlanta! Already worried about leaving my Kids, my restaurant and the looming VIP gig in France. Missing the flight just seemed like a bad omen to me, and I was sure the trip would be a disaster. So Jodi & I tried to make the most of it. On a recommendation from my good friend and fellow Chef, Steve Zucker we went to eat at Two Urban Licks! The food, drinks & music were all amazing. So feeling better and looking forward to France I cheered up a bit. For no real reason I text messaged my buddy (and Food Network Superstar!) Guy Fieri. Just to say hey and low and behold guess who was also in Atlanta to do a personal appearance. So Jodi & I head over to Buckhead to have some refreshments with Guy and his sidekick Kleetis. If that wasn’t enough we had VIP passed to the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Expo the next day to watch Guy, Paula Dean & Tyler Florence do some cooking demos and enjoy a great trade show. Halfway through Guys’ cooking demo he brought me up on stage and introduced me to the crowd and went on about Fairhope, Panini Pete’s, the show the two of us just did in New York and my upcoming France trip. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! It was amazing and I’m so freakin lucky!. Anyway I look forward to my next missed flight! and the trip was off to an incredible start.
Food Network! Round Three!!!!
The new episode of Guy’s Big Bite will air Sunday 5/17 9:30 AM eastern. Check local listings. Panini Pete’s is featured so it should be awesome! Fairhope Alabama will be mentioned about 20 times! We will be making the Turkey panino. AKA the State Bird of Flavor Town! Check back for details on a veiwing party somewhere in Fairhope, AL.
The Culinary Institute of America! Better than ever!
While in NY I had to take a 1/2 day and shoot up to Hyde Park / Poughkeepsie to visit the ol’ CIA. I had not been since my graduation in 86′. WOW the campus was amazing. So many new kitchens and facilities. The student rec. center was full service with indoor track, pool, full gym, and cafe / lounge area. The new library and Colavita center of Italian cooking were both beautifull additions to the campus. A far cry from the 3 dorms and a pub we once had. I got a chance to eat an appetizer in the American Bounty and visit with the “President” Chef Tim Ryan. Also had the pleasure of meeting LA, Chef John Besch! He was a finalist in the next Iron Chef and a fantastic Chef. They were both talking about Fairhope, Al. The train ride up from Grand Central station was spectacular. I hope I can get back again soon. I’m very proud to be an Alum & thankful for great education & experience I recieved there.
NYC What a Blast!
Just back from 4 days in the Big City. Ate and drank like no tomorrow was in site. Great sushi at Matsugen the first night with one of my old Sous Chefs Alex Long and his crew from Jean-Georges. Spent all day Friday at Food Network studios in Chelsea. Shot a great episode of “Guys Big Bite” with Guy Fieri! Can’t wait till the show airs. Should be in a couple of months or so. I’ll let ya all know as soon as I do.
Get ready for more fun!
Holy moly the Food Network just called! I’m heading to New York in a few weeks to film an episode of “Guys Big Bite” with.. you guessed it Guy Fieri! Check back for more details.
