That’s what this dried mud on the banks of the Mississppi reminded me of… maybe it was the heat! Went out exploring this vast beach near Meeman-Shelby Forest on Sunday. Really looks like you’re in Hawaii out there… OK, remember, the heat…

Seriously, it is beautiful out there… I’ll go back when it gets a little cooler. What’s your favorite secret spot on the Mississippi?

Kingsbury Career and Technology Center teacher Betty Hall and recent grad Helana Taylor prep for this week’s competition.

The team from KCTC won a gold medal in a national culinary competition in Nashville this week, part of a national leadership meeting for an organization called Family, Community and Career Leaders of America.

There were only five golds awarded, and the three recent graduates placed first in the South/Atlantic region, fourth overall. That means $5,000 in scholarship money. These aspiring chefs — along with Taylor, Chris Buckner and Krystal Easley — are headed to culinary schools. Way to represent Memphis!

Just heard that Shaggy Duffee, the chef at the new/improved Beauty Shop, is going to be on the ticket at this year’s Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium in October…

That’s like making the All-Star team! The most celebrated chefs in the country have cooked at this event. It’s the first time a Memphis chef has been invited to participate. Shaggy is going to show the ethnic influences in the region by putting together a yin/yang combo of bahn mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) and po’boys… cannot wait!

The schedule for that event isn’t yet posted, but you can check out the itinerary for SFA’s Camp Nashville gathering in August on the organizations’ Website: www.southernfoodways.com.

The Secret Service have been soaking up the atmosphere at the most famous rib joint in Memphis this week… getting the place ready for lunch with President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister, in town Friday to tour Graceland… they’ve even had to install special phone lines.

Rendezvous’s most seasoned staff will wait on the VIPs, serving ribs, chicken and pulled pork. I read in some national publication that Rendezvous was one of Elvis’s favorite BBQ places… had not heard that before.

It will be interesting to hear how that lunch goes… Nick Vergos, pictured above, has promised to give me the scoop.

NBA star Shane Battier is going to the Houston Rockets… I did a story on Shane and his personal chef — Justin Turner — earlier this year for the food section. Really nice guy. (Who loves good food!)

As a parting gift, I thought I would try to plug Shane in with some suggestions about where to eat in a city that’s got something like 10,000 restaurants. Here’s a link to the Houston Chronicle’s dining blog… A Cook’s Tour.

Anybody got some advice on getting fed in Yao’s town?

I was having a cocktail at Wally Joe on Friday… when Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman walked into the dining room. He’s just so suave. Looked like he was having dinner with his wife and, maybe, a granddaughter.

No, I didn’t speak to him. Though I would have loved to ask what’s going on at Madidi… This isn’t the first time I’ve been in the same restaurant with Clarksdale, Mississippi’s most famous resident. He was also at the James Beard dinner a couple of years ago at Chez Philippe. And at a gala for the opening of the FedExForum.

Anybody been to Madidi lately? What did you eat? Was it great?

More vendors, more produce… you have got to get there early to get the arugula from the gentleman farmer/airline pilot from Holly Springs, whose squash blossoms have also been a big hit. This Saturday, blueberries and blues will be celebrated. Great, I’ll have a Mississippi Fred McDowell muffin please!

Anybody ever tried this unfortunately named veggie? Saw them sold at stands in North Carolina…

From The Cheesecake Factory in Nashville… so not impressed! Gimme Carnegie Deli anyday!!

The food was OK, but the sign was definitely worth pulling over for at this restaurant in Bryson City, NC… near the Smoky Mountain National Pork, I mean Park.

Taking a trip to North Carolina… around Asheville.

Any recommendations?

I’ll do my best to check in with you while I’m gone…

Isn’t that what you usually say about car wrecks… I was rear-ended last night on the little feeder street that leads from Poplar onto Union. Tried to call 911, busy, busy, busy. Great.

Was all shook up, got the guy’s info and went home and cooked dinner. I was in shock, but somehow grilled fresh Alaskan sockeye. Trying to remain calm and pretend things are normal I guess.

I think we’ve all seen tons of fender benders on the mean streets of Memphis, but it’s surreal when it happens to you… of course, the guy’s Ford Explorer was not even scratched.

Be careful out there!