When your staff starts dressing like you!

Chef Jose Gutierrez was in da house at Encore on Halloween in several guises. Cast and cook crew donned pencil-thin moustache, chef coat, spec slung around the neck. You know what they say about imitation…

Looking forward to the inaugural “grilling the chef” session at Encore at 6 Thursday… I’m treating on the appetizer front, but you’re on your own for drinks and dinner, if you choose to stay.

Give me a show of hands again… who’s coming?

I’m curious to see who shows up at Saturday’s panel I’m moderating at the Southern Festival of Books… provocatively titled “New Southern Cooking: How We Learned to Hate the Rebel Flag and Love the Fried Drumstick.”

Southern Foodways Alliance director and prolific author John T. Edge will open up this can of worms with chef-author Bill Smith, no doubt whipping the crowd into a feeding frenzy.

It’s set for 3 p.m. Saturday in Room L11 at Memphis Cook Convention Center.

Now, that’s got me thinking about fried chicken: What’s your favorite place to pick up poultry?

A couple of years ago, I went to the fair and ate myself silly and wrote a front page story… I’ve never been to a fair that had so much stuff served “on a stick”… forget the deep-fried Twinkies! My top picks were Uncle Lou’s fried chicken and the red beans and rice made by Memphis Amateur Athletes.

To view the full menu, click here.

What’s your favorite fair food? Oh, and did I mention I’ve got a little something special for the first 10 people who answer? (No, not a stuffed animal!!)

This just in from Center for Southern Folklore:

“Following his standing room only shows at this year’s Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, traditional country music legend Roy Harper returns to the stage at the Center for Southern Folklore Store, 199 S. Main, Thursday, Sept. 21 for a special lunch-time concert from noon to 2 p.m.

For more than 50 years, Roy has kept alive the traditions of old-time classic country and folk music with his tales of working on the railroad, hobos and ne’er do wells, and the joys of small town life.

The Center’s own queen of Southern cuisine, Ella Kizzie, will be serving her special homemade lemon-baked chicken, candied yams, greens, slaw and hot water cornbread for $10. For an extra $4 you can savor Ms. Kizzie’s homemade peach cobbler.

For info on this concert or other events, call 901-525-3655.

Oh, that’s right… I was there at 5:45 in the A period M period! I would not miss the chance to witness a Memphis moment caught on National T period V period! Good Morning America does Beale Street. Yeah, baby!

Justin was very cool, and his band was so stylish… looked like they were outfitted at Lansky’s. (I do love a man in a porkpie hat, doncha know??!!) But it was Memphis that was the star! The energy in the crowd was electric! And it was a real mix of fans, including the superstars’ grandparents, who looked as proud as they surely deserve to be!

Especially loved the enterprising young lady in the front row with a sign asking Justin out to breakfast at Blue Plate Cafe… (you can’t really see it, but that’s what it says in my snapshot below…) And, the unexpected bonus was getting to see the outstanding marching bands… in town for the Southern Heritage Classic. Man, what a morning… but getting up this early means I’m already hungry for lunch!

I just heard that Whining & Dining is going to be part of The Flyer’s “Best of Memphis” issue… a sincere thank you for everyone who voted for it. Of course, this blog wouldn’t have such a great flavor without all of your excellent comments. Keep ‘em coming!!

I’m scheduled to interview the Queen of Southern cuisine Friday morning (way too early!)… about her upcoming trip to Memphis and the Mid-South Fair…

What would you like to ask Ms. Deen?

Jarrett’s — 5689 Quince — is having its final Monday jazz night of the season featuring The John Aldinger Trio… Starts at 7, no cover. Info: (901) 763-2264…

For more music, head to Stax for the last Monday concert… featuring James Govan. They always have something good to eat, too.

… from Sunday’s Kosher BBQ contest… more details below…
Best beans
1.New Kids on the Block
2. Greasland, Love Meat Tender
3. tie, Reading,Writing & Ribs
Grill the
Best Name
1. Pirates of the Cow-Rib-Bean
2. Greaseland/Love Meat Tender
3. Rabbi Saul’s Synagogue Smokehouse
Best Booth
1. Pirates of the Cow-Rib-Bean
2.Haimishe Hippies
3. Rabbi Saul’s Synagogue Smokehouse
Best Brisket
1. Meat the Team
2. The Alte Cookers
3. Lester S. Okeon A.Z.A
Best Ribs
1.Meat the Team
2. Lester S. Okeon A.Z.A
3.Temple Israel/So Fine Bovine
Overall Grand Champion
1.Meat the Team

…. is right here in Memphis, naturally.

I was a ribs judge, gnawing on bones next to ever-pleasant BBQ big wigs Nick Vergos and Barry Pelts (top dogs at Rendezvous and Corky’s, respectively)… pictured below…

These ribs are from the prime rib cut, and I tasted some good ones. But I was surprised that many teams went for a sweet sauce… almost as if they were trying to make the beef ribs taste like pork ribs… why no savory?

Despite the blistering heat, this event was a lot of fun… some kids cooled off creatively…

There were some funny booths… loved “Greaseland”…

and the Bada Bing crew…

My favorite team, though, was the Peace, Love and BBQ gang from Jackson, Mississippi… this is the second year they’ve competed in this venerable event (in its 18th year…)

They entered a cold bean salad in the baked bean category…

Here’s the aftermath of my big pile of bones… because you cannot eat ribs with a fork. Must have gone through a dozen napkins… Thanks for inviting me!!