Our family has been long time lovers of Alton Brown. Over the years, Bill and I have watched plenty of Good Eats with and without the kids. Recently we expanded our love of Alton Brown to include his series, Cutthroat Kitchen. It’s totally different than Good Eats but Alton’s personality shines through just as brightly.
So when I stumbled upon his latest tour and discovered a performance in The Kentucky Center in Louisville on a day we were free enough to go, I bought tickets. Since Mason has just recently started to discover how much he likes Chinese food, Walker really wanted him to experience P.F. Chang’s for dinner. I’m so happy to report it went well.
The current tour, Eat Your Science, is a mix of comedy, music, audience participation and social media. Alton sang some songs including one called Mise En Place and another which had a chorus that was, “Science, Heck Yeah!” We all walked away with those ear worms.
He combined science and cooking in a fun and exaggerated manner, making a giant popcorn rocket and a making a cocktail in a roulette style game show setting with audience participation. The latter involved freezing the adult beverage using liquid nitrogen and thereby altering the flavor.
My favorite part was the stand up comedy routine if he were the Food God. He donned a crown and robe and made his decrees:
Chickens would have four thighs because that’s where the most flavorful meat is. People have convinced themselves that breasts are best but they are wrong.
The term “farm to table” would be banned. Isn’t all food farm to table? What makes those restaurants really special?
Sriracha would be eliminated. People are overusing it. Move on.
Children’s menus would be abolished.
Unitask tools should be eliminated in the kitchen.
Bill’s favorite part was when Alton called up another volunteer from the audience who happened to be an employee of a window tinting company. The man was clearly passionate about his job and when Alton asked him what he did for a living, he launched into a great explanation about the science of plasma tinting. Alton realized that the studio volunteer was stealing his thunder and interjected, “Hey, this is my show. We have to move on!” It got a big chuckle.
When the show was over, we filed out of the theater and stood in a long line to buy the boys souvenirs. Walker selected a baseball cap and Mason a dough scraper. We were close to the last ones leaving and when we walked out to the street, the crowds had totally dissipated. As we walked toward the car, we passed Alton’s tour bus. Bill looked up and over and saw Alton himself was standing on the curb talking with fans. He and I exchanged glances and then the four of us ran toward the bus.
He signed Walker’s hat and Mason’s dough scraper and then we parted ways. I was so excited I was shaking (hence the blurry pictures) but I know the kids will remember this for a long time to come.
What a great experience!
Faboo!