I’m setting my alarm and going early… last couple of times I’ve missed some stuff.

Looking for tomatoes, peppers, peaches… here’s the full lineup of what’s expected, with other details like how to get there.

I might be a little less than objective since my name appeared on the program (only to introduce the talented filmmaker Joe York), but the event at the Brooks Museum was absolutely outstanding… from the short documentary featuring the hard-working pitmasters in whole hog country (90 miles east of Memphis in Lexington and Henderson… read more about specific spots by going to the Southern Foodways Alliance Web site) to the righteous feast that followed the film.

It was a sell-out, and I got to meet a few blogsters who came out… Loads of folks came up after wanting to buy copies of the movie. The SFA is still working out the details on that.

The best part for me was hearing how appreciative this crowd was… it was definitely like preaching to the choir. Amen, pass the pork chop!

Texas? North Carolina? Kansas City? Memphis?

You know the answer… but the search for the best was part of a show called “Food Wars” on the Travel Channel… stumbled onto it by accident last night… it replays Sunday in the wee hours for those of you fortunate enough to TIVO…

The problem with any of these shows is that they end up going to the same places over and over and over… Kansas City? You know we’re going to Arthur Bryant’s. Somehow, I missed the portion of the program that touched down in the land of blue suede shoes.

Anyway, I won’t keep you in suspense. The taste-testers loved Memphis best. I sincerely doubt that’s the end of the discussion.

Been riveted to the spectacular Spike Lee “When the Levees Broke” on HBO past couple of nights… and I’m working on a story about some restaurant folks who have ended up in Memphis, bringing a special flavor to the city.

Stumbled onto an excellent site called gumbo pages, which includes some awesome recipes. I can’t wait to get down there again very soon. Anyone been lately?

(That’s me, working hard, behind the scenes on the filming of “Whole Hog”, which will be showing at the Brooks on Thursday…)

Unfortunately, couldn’t talk the boss into paying for a makeover before going in front of the camera, but I’ll be making an appearance on Channel 3’s Live at 9, with documentary filmmaker Joe York, to talk about the Memphis premiere of “Whole Hog”… at the Brooks Musuem at 6:30 Thursday night… followed by BBQ from Ricky Parker (star of “Whole Hog”, owner of renowned BE Scott’s in Lexington, Tennessee, just south of Jackson) and sides from Birmingham’s Jim-n-Nick’s… Ticket info: 901-544-6200.

I’m also going to be talking about some of off-the-beaten-track eat places on FM-100 with Steve Connolly and the crew, around 8:30 in the a.m.

Still, my favorite place to be is right here mixing it up with loyal blog-watchers… thanks for all the great comments while I was gone!

Thanks to Jim Baymiller for sending snapshots from his trip to Florida… obviously, he’s got some fish stories to tell.

Send me your food pics from the road and I’ll make everybody jealous of your edible journey by posting them right here!

Former Griz fixture Shane Battier leaving Memphis, and so is his personal chef, Justin Turner… both exceptionally charming subjects of a food story I did a while back.

Let’s wish them both well… I will make sure they both see your comments.

It’s always interesting to read about this region in faraway publications… John Carlin chronicled a trip to the Delta in Sunday’s Observer Food Monthly in London… which included dinner with Morgan Freeman!!

Here’s a little of what he wrote about his experience at Madidi:

The restaurant was a revelation. Open a place like Madidi’s in New York or San Francisco, or London or Barcelona, and immediately it would be propelled into the top tier of city eating establishments. Deliciously air-conditioned, it is spacious, with ample gaps between the tables, each covered in white linen and top-of-the range cutlery and glassware. Bill apologised for the wine list. Said that the state of Mississippi had some ludicrously outdated laws that severely limited the range of imported wines one could stock. But there was still plenty of good stuff from France, Italy and Australia, as well as the US. As for the waiters, the joy of it was that they did not feel compelled to tell us their names and the subjects they were majoring in at college and how cheerily solicitous they were going to be in their attentions tonight and all the other ghastly, low-grade amateur dramatics that waiters the length and breadth of America consider to be an integral part of their jobs. They just silently handed out the menus and awaited further instructions.

To read the full story, click here.

… at a gathering on the Mississippi River.

And, Mark Twain tribute artist Ron Jewell had some restaurant news for me, too. Told me that Teresa’s Italian Cafe in Bartlett is no longer. It’s now Mimi’s, new owners, similar menu.

I talked to the new owner, Caesar Mercado (who used to own Rio Loco) and he tipped me off to a place that serves food from the Phillipines… on Macon and Sycamore View. Anybody been to either of these spots?

Had some visitors from the old stomping grounds… Bob and Teresa Hemphill have two restaurants in Spokane, Washington, called Chicken-n-More. Bob’s from Texas and makes some outstanding brisket, but also does pulled pork, fried chicken, catfish, red beans and rice, sweet potato pie… a taste of the South in the Pacific Northwest.

Teresa grew up in Memphis, went to Melrose and graduated from Memphis State, but left in the late ’60s. They were back to visit family, and I took them to a couple of my favorite spots, Payne’s on Lamar and Cozy Corner. They were not blown away by the ‘cue, but loved the fried peach pie at Payne’s and the sweet potato pie at Cozy Corner. Went by the Bar-B-Q Shop, but they’re closed for vacation.

It was great to see these fine folks from Spokane… who’s been to visit you this summer? Have you treated them to some Memphis BBQ?