Manfriend works with Alton a couple of times a month. Manfriend is a "bit" character on Good Eats (check your local listings, its on several times a day). So far this season he has played Batman in the popcorn episode, a butcher, and a french agent in the lentil episode. Next week he returns to his dungeon master role for the pompegrante show. Anyhow, point being, no big deal for
to eat with Alton. As for myself, I've never met the guy, didn't watch the show before I met and only know that pretty much all of my foodie friends are crazy for Alton (this includes my beautiful cousin who is currently finishing up a pastry degree with the CIA, my most fun and witty art friends, and of course the dreaded ex - "chef"). So although I myself don't know that much about the guy, I know enough to realize Thanksgiving at his house is probably a once in a lifetime offer.
For the actual meal Alton fried two turkeys and prepared mashed potatoes. He asked his guests to bring the rest (a daunting task that I ducked in favor of bringing a gift). Manfriend was asked to bring either a side or a dessert. His solution was something that could serve as both: sweet potato cassarole. IT WAS DELICIOUS!! Everyone raved about it.
On to what you really care about.
We arrived at Alton's at 3:00 and were the first guests there. He lives about 20 miles outside the Atlanta perimeter. We drove 's 1977 green camero. When we arrived Alton's wife and his mother in law were sitting in the drive way watching while Alton fry the first turkey. Given that Alton is the food scientist he is the fry set up was quite the spectacle.
Over the usual pot of boiling oil Alton had rigged a new orange ladder with pullies and rope. It looked like a sailer had been there before us to help engineer the thing. It's too hard to desribe how it all worked but it seem relatively simple and very smart. After 35 minutes the bird had a perfectly crispy skin and a great color. Then it was time to lower in another.
Ultimately the guests included Manfriend, the production coordinator, and sound guy (plus significant others). Alton's wife, daughter and mother in law. And two families that are friends of the Browns. Even with all these people sitting around a long table that stretched from the dining room into just the tiniest bit of the foyer, even with all the places he could have been seated - Alton sat to my left. (Manfriend sat to my right).
As for the house - BEAUTIFUL. What impressed me most - Alton collects art. Good art. Contemporary art with a bit of hipster aesthetic. And he selects it himself. He knows about it and he can talk about it.
Since I don't cook I decided to bring a little thank you gift. After much deliberation and help from my female foodie friends (Hey food_porn, that's us!) I settled on legos. Fortunately I was able to find a Batman and Batgirl set (referencing 's earlier role). Then I also attached the artist book I made for Manfriend's birthday. Much to my satisifaction (and admittedly - my surprise) he seemed to REALLY like both gifts. In fact, after reading my a lucky day at Coney Island book he ran over to his wife for her to read it. He appreciated that I'd actually brought around the paper doll and not simply photoshopped the entire thing. Then told me that his father did book binding as a hobby AND HE THINKS ITS COOL. (ATTENTION BOOK ARTISTS - I may have found our first collector. SERIOUSLY). Who knew Alton Brown's great taste extended to the visual arts? YAY!!
After dinner all the boys who work on the show plus myself sat around talking. We stayed until a little after 8:00. has called it "one of the best Thanksgivings ever". I must agree. The company was fun and smart, the food was DELICIOUS, the home was beautiful (did I mention all the murals!?) and the hosts were generous.
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