Will Loves Silver Queen Corn

Shameless use of my son to show our collective love for Silver Queen.

Next Trip: In Search of Bluegrass & Bourbon

Photo: The Honorable Jerry Slater
Blue Grass and Brown Liquor: A Louisville Field Trip

On July 11 and 12, the Southern Foodways Alliance will showcase Louisville in a two-day celebration of local food and drink culture. As part of its annual "field trip" series, the SFA will feature local chefs and food luminaries in a series of informative (and often delicious) events, including:

Local chefs Todd Richards, Duane Nutter, Kathy Cary and Mark Williams, and whiskey makers Julian and Preston Van Winkle and others will contribute their culinary skills and perspectives on local foods and drink.

For registration or additional information, call the SFA's offices at the University of Mississippi's Center for the Study of Southern Culture at (662) 915-5993 or visit their web site at www.southernfoodways.com. Registration for the event is limited.

Cuisine of the commonwealth

Since its founding in 1999, the Southern Foodways Alliance has promoted its core mission of "documenting and celebrating the diverse food cultures of the American South." And in that time, the organization has set its sights on the Bluegrass State's culinary culture several times.

See here for more in-depth info

Our Own Jeff Moore's Work at City Issue

"City Issue is pleased to feature the work of Atlanta artist, Jeff Moore. He works with acrylic on canvas to create his large, abstract pieces. Stop by the website to see more of Jeff's work, or even better, stop by City Issue to see his work in person."

325 Elizabeth Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
678.999.9075

City Issue Website

Music City Hot Chicken Festival

If you've spent much time eating in Nashville, you probably know about the city's culinary claim to fame -- Hot Chicken. Make plans for the Second Annual Hot Chicken Festival in East Park at 700 Woodland Street in East Nashville on July 4. Nothing beats eating blazing-hot chicken while standing in the July Nashville afternoon sun!

Preview of the Fall Menu from Chef Sean Brock at McCrady's

Jeff spent some time on Wadmalaw Island this past weekend with Chef Sean Brock of McCrady's. (Jeff is shooting the farm and menu previews.) It is hard to imagine now, but the cuddly creature in the photo above will be served every which way imaginable come fall. Sean is planning a strict diet which includes chocolate milk...

Georgia Author Book Bash -This Sunday

Sunday, June 29 at the Margaret Mitchell House.

GABB is a party loaded with over 50 authors from the Peach State.

Guest list includes Delia Champion, Ferrol Sams, Emily Giffin, Joshilyn Jackson and Mike Luckovich. Presented by Atlanta magazine.

For more information, call 404.814.2063.

The UnFancy Food Show

Have no interest in attending the Fancy Food Show next week? Head over to Williamsburg's East River Bar for the Second Annual UnFancy Food Show. With producers like Sixpoint Ales and Wheelhouse Pickles, to name just a few, how can you go wrong?

Chef Ron Eyester Sings For Your Supper

Please excuse the cell phone photo, but this was too good not to capture.

Chef Ron Eyester of Food 101 singing The Allman Brothers' 'One Way Out' at their 'Eat A Peach' dinner. A whopping 103 guests turned out to eat some peaches, sing some songs, and the like.

For more on Ron's music dinners...

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/05/22/profile.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Fine Art Spotted On Fellini's Pizza Boxes

I've always liked those generic pizza boxes that you get from the local corner pizza joint - especially the ones that claim things like, "From Your Favorite Neighborhood Pizzeria!" (how do they know?) We even have a collection of them at the office. But the Fellini's in Atlanta's Candler Park is taking it to a whole new level. I don't know if this was a one-off creation by a bored pizza cook on a slow night, or if this is a regular thing, but I know I'll be back to find out. See the Schulz-worthy Snoopy below:

More Big Apple BBQ

Ed Mitchell's whole hog















The patio at Back Forty















Jeff and GOM Alumna Cecilia





























The Lakeside Lounge















Blue Ribbon Bar















Jeff and Lolis Elie

Whiskey Of The Month

We had high hopes for this one, and it turned out to be a winner. Wheat beer = good; wheat bread = good; wheat whiskey = very good. According to the bottle, "Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey represents the first truly new American whiskey style to be introduced in many generations. Whereas other whiskeys contain primarily corn, barley or rye in their recipes, Bernheim is the only type of straight whiskey which uses soft winter wheat. The result is a full-bodied, sweet yet smooth whiskey."

Poster Designer Alton Kelley Dies

Alton Kelley, whose style practically defined '60s rock poster design, has died in California. Read more here:

Bacon Of The Month Club - May & June

We're heading into month four of our membership in the Bacon Of The Month Club - May featured a pound from the Loveless Cafe, while June's is from New Braunfels Smokehouse. That one just came today, so we haven't had a chance to cook any yet. But according to the Grateful Palate website: "Medium cut, meaty, hammy, awesome balance of sweetness and salt, a classic breakfast bacon. Slight hint of maple and caramel flavors. Mmmmmm. State of Origin: Texas." Breakfast at GOM headquarters tomorrow morning.

Green Olive's Solution To The Whole Salmonella / Tomato Thing

Luckily, we planted a bunch of tomatoes and basil in front of the office a while back, and we just harvested the first batch today. See below for today's lunch:

Big Apple BBQ Fest

Several of us took in the Big Apple BBQ Fest this weekend, and it was better than ever, much hotter than ever, and seemingly not quite as crowded as before. Highlights included:
Ed Mitchell's whole hog sandwiches
The Salt Lick's sausage
Hill Country's beef ribs
The Blue Smoke hospitality tent, hospitably manned by Kenny Callaghan
Joe York's film about mutton
The exhaust fan that we discovered on 25th Street blowing ice-cold air onto the sidewalk all weekend
Pappy Van Winkle's Bourbon Bar

Burger Shoppe, New York

Burger Shoppe recently made headlines with news of their $175 burger, but on a recent visit there, we found the $4 version to be quite worthwhile. A solid choice if you happen to find yourself in the Financial District.

Ed Mitchell in Bon Appetit

Check out the feature on Ed Mitchell, pitmaster at The Pit in Raleigh, in the July issue of Bon Appetit. After eating countless numbers of his whole hog sandwiches for the past two weeks at barbecue festivals in both Tennessee and New York, he's quickly become one of our favorite barbecue gods.

Boutique Moonshine?

Ah, just read the article here.

Kiss the AJC's Meredith Ford for Her Review of Cakes & Ale!

"A new restaurant in the heart of downtown Decatur, Cakes and Ale is a handsome place to gather and eat."

"'Cakes and ale' is an expression for 'the good life.' Cakes & Ale is a restaurant that provides it."

By the way, Billy just took the deviled eggs off the menu... He just added a new dish inspired by a place called "Louise Juniors" -- no name yet -- (Platter of shrimp, ham, eggs & pickles with Russian dressing...$12 ) -- I am sure it will be tasty and clever.

Jeff & Alvin designed the branding...including a most fabulous web site: cakesandalerestaurant.com

EAT LOCAL AMERICA courtesy of The National Cooperative Grocers Association

EAT LOCAL AMERICA
"Buy local." It's the mantra of all your organic-foodie friends, but they're onto something. Local is good for the economy (supports local farmers), for the environment (reduces carbon emissions caused by shipping), and for your cooking (fresher and tastier). The National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) has launched its Eat Local America campaign, which challenges Americans to eat four out of every five meals from food grown or produced locally. Co-ops around the country will participate through September.Join the cause by signing up for local produce deliveries in your area.

Dixie Freeze - Pittsburgh, TN

We stumbled on a nice diner/drive-in in South Pittsburgh, TN yesterday - The Dixie Freeze - standard fare, with a good cheeseburger and corn dog. We're three-for-three on good burgers this week, and with the Big Apple BBQ coming up this weekend, our prospects for pork and brisket are looking good.

My New Favorite Italian Restaurant

We've had some great Italian meals this year - I didn't think anybody could beat A Voce, but that was before we visited City House in Nashville. We planned our visit on Sunday so we could take part in their Sunday Supper, where the chefs make what they really want to. Everything we had was fantastic - pork liver bruschetta, margherita pizza, and pork meatballs.