2009.11.05
Cookbook Giveaway: Alton Brown book
Amazon.com
Has this geeky Food Network star's television show really been on for an entire decade? Dang.
It's hard for me to believe (then again, I'm not his biggest fan), but it must be true, because they just put out this fat, hardback book commemorating the 10-year anniversary. It's a highly amusing book, jam-packed with recipes, pictures and stories about the first years of the show. In fact, each early episode has its own chapter in this book, "Good Eats: The Early Years" by Alton Brown. The book jacket even turns into a fold-out poster.
Want it? Leave a comment on this blog entry and I'll do a random selection at the end of the day tomorrow.
Well im not a big fan of his either, but I love new recipes.
Comment by Lisa in Hollins — November 5, 2009 @ 10:02 am
It looks like an entertaining read.
Comment by Christopher — November 5, 2009 @ 10:03 am
I love Alton! My kids and I watch him every chance we get. I don't have any of his books yet (hint for my husband for a Christmas present).
Comment by Emily — November 5, 2009 @ 10:05 am
Alton Brown's show is a favorite around our household! He explains many of the finer aspects of food items and cooking techniques. I have incorporated many things that I have learned in my cooking, usually with great results.
Comment by Dave Huggett — November 5, 2009 @ 10:05 am
I love Good Eats! I've watched the show for about the past 6 years since we got Dish Network and discovered his show. I love the scientific explanations of cooking techniques and ingredients, and we've tried dozens of his recipes and can actually get them to turn out right! The only thing I wish I had in my kitchen was'Thing' and 'Fireball.' The extra helping hand an a flame-emblazoned Kitchenaid mixer (or just a plain Kitchenaid mixer for that matter) would make cooking and baking a whole lot easier for me. We watched the anniversary show when it came on, and he's also got a pretty good sense of humor, though it comes out in the show pretty well with all the puppets and costumes and theme shows he does (the take-off of Sweeney Todd was one of the best theme shows they've done). I loved how he converted a fire extinguiser into a smoothie maker (ok, he still needed a blender, but the way he combined that with a water cooler was pretty darn cool). Needless to say, we're huge AB fans, and a lot of our friends are too.
Comment by Other John — November 5, 2009 @ 10:14 am
Good Eats is my favorite food show. It's one thing for Paula Deen to throw another stick of butter in something...and quite something else when Alton Brown explains why it's such a good idea (or sometimes not). The skits are over the top and even keep my kids entertained. And Alton is a motorcyclist (a BMW no less!).
Comment by Austin — November 5, 2009 @ 10:18 am
Having been born and raised in Roanoke and presently an out-of-towner (Dallas, Texas) I enjoy reading your column weekly. I have tried several of your recipes (the BBQ Brisket, and the stuffed Green Peppers): too good!). I give you the silent credit for the meals but never let on to the website as to my source...not yet!
Comment by jim parker — November 5, 2009 @ 10:23 am
I love Alton Brown! I can't wait to read his book. I would love to win it!
Comment by Kelsey — November 5, 2009 @ 10:25 am
I like Alton Brown and would definitely like to have his cookbook simply for the knowledge. I don't watch his show much anymore, because really, who can take a half hour of a know-it-all? He is much better on Iron Chef America!
Comment by KyAnne — November 5, 2009 @ 10:28 am
I love Alton Brown! When I was 9 months pregnant and ordered by my midwife to stay off my feet, I waited in line for 2 hours with my one year old son in the backpack carrier for the chance to see him do a live cooking demonstration... it was worth it! He was just as funny and smart in person as he is on the show.
Comment by Jen — November 5, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Oh, Wow! I would love to have this cookbook. Alton is one of my favorite Food Network stars. I really enjoy his scientific approach to "good eats" and his antics/skits are hilarious. I must be just as geeky as he his.
You don't particularly care for him? I can empathize with that, because Sandra Lee (star of Semi-homemade) urks me to no end. Does anyone, besides me, notice that her outfit ALWAYS matches the kitchen curtains, dinnerware and table scape. What is that about?
Comment by Angela — November 5, 2009 @ 10:42 am
10 years. That's a long time.
Comment by Eric — November 5, 2009 @ 10:48 am
I want it!! I've been an Alton fan as long as he's been on TV. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!
Comment by Lori — November 5, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Yes, I would like this book!
Comment by Julie F — November 5, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Love AB! I generally don't watch cooking shows at all, yet Good Eats has a permanent spot on my Tivo list.
I especially loved the early years when he explained a lot of the science behind basic cooking techniques. That made the whole culinary process seem less arbitrary or "voodoo" to a novice like me, which made me more inclined to try it (and to stick to the recipe!).
Comment by Mark — November 5, 2009 @ 10:55 am
I love this cooking show. Alton and his crew make learning to cook entertaining. I'm always laughing at some of the goofiness that goes on during an episode. Its in fact one of my favorite shows to watch, thank god for the TiVo.
>:0)
Comment by Mike — November 5, 2009 @ 10:55 am
I would love to have it =) I like some of his stuff and overall he does offer up good information.
Comment by Jennifer — November 5, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Easily the best show on television. His role on Iron Chef....not so much. But he was made for Good Eats.
Comment by Henry — November 5, 2009 @ 10:58 am
I LOVE FOOD.
Comment by Lauren — November 5, 2009 @ 11:01 am
*shakes fist* Curses for working for the Paper! I would LOVE to have this cook book. You may not be AB's biggest fan, but I sure am!:) I'm pretty sure I've seen ever single episode of Good Eats, many of them I rewatch when it is something I like to make. His pancake recipe is the bomb.:)
Comment by Bailie — November 5, 2009 @ 11:02 am
Cool, We'd love this at my house. We're big Good Eats fans. I do the cooking and my wife likes Alton Brown and I'm sure she wishes my cooking was more like his....
Comment by Thom — November 5, 2009 @ 11:03 am
Gimme AB!
Comment by Kevin — November 5, 2009 @ 11:10 am
Would love this cookbook!!
Comment by gedneyguy — November 5, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Alton is my hero. I love to know the why to go with the how in cooking. I will admit his shows get a little weird at times, but I have never failed to learn something from him.
Comment by Charles T — November 5, 2009 @ 11:16 am
I love Alton Brown and would really like to win this cookbook. His show is one of our family favorites. Thanks!
Comment by Jennifer — November 5, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Pick me, pick me!
Comment by Holly — November 5, 2009 @ 11:20 am
Early on, his shows were iffy, but improved over the years. Alton is at his best on Iron Chef. He is very knowledgeable.
Comment by david speight — November 5, 2009 @ 11:29 am
Comment comment comment!! LOVE Alton Brown. It's one "cooking show" that my husband and son will watch with me!
Comment by Corrie Prater — November 5, 2009 @ 11:39 am
While Alton is a little weird, I enjoy how he focuses on foods and recipes that are readily available everywhere. I've followed several of his ideas and they have always come out top notch.
Comment by Greg — November 5, 2009 @ 11:42 am
I love this guy...he's like the Bill Nye the Science Guy for food.
Comment by Kristen — November 5, 2009 @ 11:46 am
My favorite episode is the one featuring the turkey frying rig! Having survived several successful fryings, I really appreciate the amount of safety precautions involved. Still, there is nothing like the thrill of cooking a turkey, ham, or wings knowing you are sooooo close to disaster. Makes everything taste better!
Comment by Jerry — November 5, 2009 @ 11:47 am
I've watched Alton's show for years! I'm always impressed at the things I learn during an episode. And the recipes I've tried over the years are spot-on. Informative AND entertaining! That's what's kept me watching. I'd love to have "Good Eats".
Comment by Maria — November 5, 2009 @ 11:55 am
Looks like it might a very interesting cookbook!
Comment by Becky — November 5, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
I find the show interesting sometimes, and I know my son in law would love the book. It would make a great Christmas present.
Comment by Debbie — November 5, 2009 @ 12:01 pm
My husband and I have loved Alton Brown from the beginning. (I even ordered an official salt cellar from his website as an Xmas present for my husband years ago.) It would be great to win this!
Comment by Amy W. — November 5, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
I LOVE Alton Brown-in that cute lovable nerdy cook way!
Comment by Dee Dee — November 5, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
seems like a cook book for my kids with the cover becoming a poster and all...
Comment by opal — November 5, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
I really enjoying watching Alton Brown on Good Eats, as well as, Iron Chef. I think he tries to make cooking interesting by giving you the science behind it. I know at times he comes off a little dorky, but he is always entertaining
He did a particular Good Eats show on biscuit making, and his grandmother was his special guest. It was a wonderful example of food and recipes bringing families together and being past down to new generations. It was quite touching
Comment by Christine — November 5, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
alton has a unique way of explaining food through his scientific background. I find it highly entertaining and have used many cooking tips in the past. he even had hair when the show started. his cookbook should be very interesting.
Comment by warren pease — November 5, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
I want it!!! I have a huge cooking-geek crush on Alton Brown!!!
Comment by cynthia — November 5, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
I think Alton Brown is an inspiration. His quirky presentation style is entertaining and at the end of a show, I typically have learned something useful.
Comment by Gordon Yee — November 5, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
A free book is a wonderful thing!! Thank you!
Comment by L — November 5, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
We LOVE Alton Brown! Would love to have his cookbook!
Comment by ginny — November 5, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
My goodness, readers, I have clearly underestimated the power of Alton Brown! Keep those entry comments coming.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — November 5, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
I have always been interested in science, which is why I'm a science nerd by trade. My husband and I love watching his shows - he explains everything scientifically but has so much fun with it! All the recipes I've tried from Alton have been wonderful, too!
Comment by Autumn — November 5, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
I think Good Eats is a great show, I love the way Alton explains why you use certain ingredients. There are a lot of good recipes on his show also.
Comment by RJ — November 5, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
I would love to have this cookbook for my mom! My mom is an amazing cook, and collects cookbooks like other people collect dolls or knicknacks, and her birthday is tomorrow, Nov. 6th. She'd LOVE to have this for her birthday as she is a huge Alton fan!!
Comment by Leisa — November 5, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
I love Alton Brown! AND I love recipe books!!
Comment by Amanda — November 5, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
ANYTHING that would help me enjoy cooking would be appreciated. I used to like it until I married a junk-food junkie that doesn't know a vegetable from a starch. If I could make everything look like pizza, he'd eat it...
Comment by Susan — November 5, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
I'm one of Alton's biggest fans and would love to have his book. I always try to catch his show each night and always watch the re-runs as well.
Comment by Sharron — November 5, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
He's from the south. I used his spinach reciepe, the best ever.
Comment by ken — November 5, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
AB has been our favorite tv foodie personality, far above people like Paula Dean, Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Emeril, and all the other alums from the Food Network and beyond. He's just got a good down-to-earth approach and explains things in a way to make things easier to understand. Plus, he makes cooking more of an event than a chore, and that's always a big help. One of my other favorite devices he made was the turkey frier tri-pod so you wouldn't set the house on fire lowering a turkey into the oil. He also had a nifty one using a hot plate, cardboard box, wood chips, and a fan to smoke salmon. It's sort of dorky, but our friends who like his show too will come over and we'll watch some of the episodes and take notes, then try his recipes. We've used the ones from pancakes, mac n cheese, chili, pot pies, steaks, cookies, biscuits, bread, soups, chicken kiev, and more.
Comment by Other John — November 5, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
Alton is a food genius. My wife and I both like to watch him. He seems to know everything about any kind of food. I am sure the book would be very entertaning.
Comment by GC — November 5, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
Oh no, I submitted a comment early on and now it's gone! I'd love this book as well.
Comment by Jennifer — November 5, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
Hey Lindsey, I'm not a fan of his, either...but maybe there are some cool recipes in the book so I'm putting my name in the "hat."
Thanks!
Comment by Dennis — November 5, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
I love, love, love Alton Brown and Good Eats but then I'm a big fan of quirkiness. I happened to catch the recent special celebrating 10 years of Good Eats and his goal for his food show was combining Julia Child, Mr. Wizard and Monty Python. I think he pretty much nails it. I think it's great that he goes beyond your typical recipe type show to give the science behind the cooking -- he's fun and educational at the same time. Clearly though, I realize he isn't for everyone...my youngest son refers to him as "the serial(maybe cereal?) killer whenever he walks though and sees him on Food Network. And, now he's confronted with "serial killer juice commercials". Maybe he's just an acquired taste for some of us outside the box types.
Comment by Kelly — November 5, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
My husband and I love this guy! The way he tells you and shows you how different food react together and takes you through the process.....just amazing!
Comment by Angie Towns — November 5, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
P.S. just noted Kristen's comment comparing AB to Bill Nye and Cynthia's comment about the "cooking-geek crush"...maybe that's my fascination...my kids and I loved Bill Nye. Must have that science geek crush thing going.
Comment by Kelly — November 5, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
His onion dip recipe is soooooo gooood! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/onion-dip-from-scratch-recipe/index.html
Comment by Debbie — November 5, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
I love Alton Brown. He explains everything so well. Even how to make saurkraut. I have learned so much that I use everyday.
Comment by Robin Huggett — November 5, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
I was just reading about the tenth anniversary in the Food Network Magazine. Does anyone else read that? I don't get the FOod Network, but I wish I did after reading the article about his show!
Comment by Michelle — November 5, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
Love this guy!! He is all over the food network and it doesn't matter which show he's on, I'll end up learning something new.
Comment by Michele — November 5, 2009 @ 11:06 pm
alton brown is a culinary genius. as a chemist and complete science nerd, i appreciate his knowledge and the way he shares it.
Comment by grace — November 6, 2009 @ 3:15 am
I have seen his show and it was too much for me to watch. Too scientific. But I heard his recipes are very tasty. Would love to have this book.
Comment by Eve — November 6, 2009 @ 4:11 am
Interesting how Linsey DELETES posts at whim; I was the FIRST person to post on here and she DELETED it!!
I know because it was posted., now it is gone.
I will contacting you EDITOR today to get an explanation why you are discriminating on this website. I see this all the time on yours and Jenny Kincaid Boone's site.
Comment by chris — November 6, 2009 @ 7:24 am
The Angela's agree! (Comment #11) I enjoy rewatching his old episodes on http://www.surfthechannel.com. No matter how many times I watch one, I learn something new....
Comment by Angela — November 6, 2009 @ 10:02 am
Alton Brown teaches the science of cooking. Love his show! Would love his book, as well!
Comment by Tom — November 6, 2009 @ 10:06 am
Chris, the only time I have ever deleted a reader's comment was because it was a duplicate, contained excessive foul language or contained insults toward another reader. I can promise you with all of my heart and soul that I have not deleted a single post on this thread. What motivation could I possibly have for deleting your post? The winner is going to be picked randomly anyway so it doesn't matter if you posted first. Your entry has now been logged.
I'm forwarding your comment to my direct editor, Kathy Lu, as well as my executive editor, Carole Tarrant, and the Roanoke.com editor, Meg Martin. Perhaps Meg can help to determine if there is some technical issue going on. Feel free to call them yourself, I have nothing to hide or be concerned about: Lu: 981-3224, Tarrant: 981-3210, Martin: 981-3103.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — November 6, 2009 @ 10:41 am
I'd love to win! Looking forward to winning..
Comment by The Purple Foodie — November 6, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Everyone's post looks like the "first" until the blog gets updated. Jeez, lighten up Chris.
Comment by Kristen — November 6, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Chris, several times it may look like you have posted, but in reality the post only appears on your screen to demonstrate that you have submitted a post. They do not automatically appear, and have to be approved first. From what I've read on the Roundtable and Dan Casey's blog, something the posts wind up going to a spam folder rather than their inbox, and that they have to moderate all posts first. Perhaps yours inadvertently wound up getting flagged as spam by the automatic filters. Regardless, you could have brought up your concern in a more respectful and civil manner.
Comment by Other John — November 6, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
I checked the spam folder; it wasn't there. All I saw were e-mails about escort services and certain medication to improve one's private life.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — November 6, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
lol Lindsey, I hate those sorts of spam messages. In all of the time I've been posting on the various blogs here, I don't think I've ever had one get mysteriously deleted. I have had a couple times where I hit submit and something glitched out during the processing and the message never went through, but that's all. Otherwise, I think I had 1 or 2 posts deleted because of how I worded a comment, but the moderators at the Roundtable gave me a chance to change the wording and re-submit.
Comment by Other John — November 6, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
I like Alton's show. I learn something new off every episode.
Comment by Melanie — November 6, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
I'm a huge fan - please enter me.
Thanks.
Comment by Tamara — November 6, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
I love Alton and would love his cook book.....Thanks!
Comment by Betty H — November 6, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
i read this blog every day,i watch altons show alot,ive entered cookbook giveaways many times but never won.my point?...its all about me!!!!
Comment by paul h. — November 6, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
Oooooooooh! I MUST have even if I don't win it here! My 7 year old and I LOVE to watch Alton Brown. Sure beats ICarly.....
Comment by Whitney — November 6, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
I love Alton, and his science behind cooking and the kitchen. I DVR his shows and would love to have his new book, it is actually already on my Christmas List! I love his views on kitchen utensils and gear, and the "why" of cooking.
Comment by Shannon Vittitow — November 7, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
My kids LOVE Alton Brown-kind of a "nutty professor" of the culinary!
Comment by Marie campanella — November 11, 2009 @ 8:09 am