By: Amy Enchelmeyer and Jessica Krinke
(Please view Amy's companion video on Medill Reports!)
Hundreds of hungry home cooks crowded every floor of the four story Borders on Michigan Avenue for a chance to meet their favorite TV chef.
Alton Brown, star of The Food Network’s “Good Eats” signed copies of his new book based on the hit show, “Good Eats: The Early Years,” for 500 fans late into the night on Oct. 15.
According to his website, Brown started the show while working as a cinematographer with the intent to make a cooking show that was informative and fun to watch, too.
Brown’s creative use of models, sketches and sock puppets aims to teach budding chefs the why behind the science of cooking instead of just the what. “Good Eats” infuses the history of popular dishes and cooking basics with the science factoids behind why food does what it does.
The signing drew many young viewers who learn to cook from Brown. Matt Reiser, 13, and his dad Mike take on tricky dishes like the brined pork tenderloin for their family. “The salt makes the cells engorge with the flavor from the brine, that way when you cook it, it stays juicier,” explained Mike.
Matt’s dad said he likes what “Good Eats” gives his son. “This is really accessible for him. It’s gotten him really excited about cooking which I don’t think he would have been otherwise.”
While Matt and dad usually work together, Mike says Matt can do some recipes all by himself now. The Reisers plan on using their new skills to tackle a turkducken for Thanksgiving this year.
One family rode the Metra all the way from Crystal Lake for a chance to meet the kitchen professor. Kathleen Ambrose and her daughters Bella, 9, and Rachel, 13, watch “Good Eats” together, as long as mom says it’s OK to stay up for the show’s 10 p.m. spot.
Rachel said understanding they why behind her favorite breakfast treat makes it easier to do right, “I like his pancake recipe. I learned not to over-mix it even if it has lumps, otherwise it makes them tough.”
“He’s funny,” said Bella. “It’s much better than school food.”
Alton Brown’s “Good Eats” has been a popular staple on cable’s The Food Network for ten seasons. While Brown has published previous cookbooks for baking and cooking gear, “Good Eats: The Early Years” is the first published form of recipes from the show. The monster-sized cooking compendium is the first of a planned trilogy of Good Eats books.
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Notes:
Amy Enchelmeyer and I reported this together and this is the companion text to her video, which is really fun and I recommend watching it on the story's Medill page.
