Tony Bourdan Reception

shroomgirl · #1 01-22-2002, 03:47 PM

Found out today, we're having a reception/booksigning/party!!! with Tony in Two weeks, industry and writers only...potluck, cash bar. What a way to break up winter! So it is amazing the response I've gotten.....the question of the day is what would you bring for potluck (nothing that needs extended attention)
and what questions would you ask? I talked to kitchen guys that soooo related to his books, "Julie I'm the guy with the burnt hands"....so it'll be a great time, wish you all were here....I'll see about posting pix and an antidote or two.

Isa · #2 01-22-2002, 06:33 PM

Have fun Shroom!

Will look forward to your impression of the evening.

I wouldn't know what to bring to such a evening. I did read somewhere he likes Vietnamese food....

Mezzaluna · #3 01-22-2002, 06:41 PM

Wow! That sounds a lot more interesting than the one-hour book signing and remarks I'll be attending in Milwaukee on January 31. Based on my scant knowledge, he seems to enjoy raw meat and fish, so some sort of carpaccio would be nice, with the platter on ice if necessary. What's not to like?

katbalou · #4 01-22-2002, 07:23 PM

check out "Gourmet" august, 2001. looks like you need ant eggs and worms along with large amounts of booze.

Greg · #5 01-22-2002, 07:54 PM

Shroom, do you know how one could find out his "tour scedule", so to speak?

Anneke · #6 01-22-2002, 08:03 PM

Tour schedule

shroomgirl · #7 01-22-2002, 09:31 PM

Wow~ ask and you shall recieve.
nope no ant eggs, or reptiles....possibly a pate though...
Yeah this is such a wonderful excuse for a Feb party, we are all needing to let loose....and who better to be a guest?

Greg · #8 01-22-2002, 11:11 PM

Anneke, you're the best!

Shroom, I'll tell him hello from me; you're his next stop after the Twin Cities.

Suzanne · #9 01-23-2002, 09:55 AM

Wow, what a rough schedule! Who ever said the life of a famous chef/author is glamorous?? I hope people will take pity on the guy and give him some really good food (he's already so thin!)

How about some miniature banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches)? Little French rolls with pate, some sort of cold cut, cilantro, shredded carrot, jicama and/or cucumber, mayo, fish sauce, hot peppers ...? (See Pot on the Fire by John Thorne for a full discussion.)

chrose · #10 01-23-2002, 12:41 PM

I think if I was cooking for him I'd probably make either Steak AuPoivre with Pomme Frites, or baked bluefish gratin.

Questions? Do you see yourself ever getting off the line, or out of the restaurant itself for good and just write.

Mezzaluna · #11 01-23-2002, 05:37 PM

Chrose, you got me thinking: I'm not even sure he's taking questions in Milwaukee, but I'd probably have only one shot. I'm sure I can think of something to ask (!!!), but I'd be curious to know what others might ask, given the opportunity.

Any thoughts?

SlaveGirl · #12 01-23-2002, 06:12 PM

He was awful fun when he was here in the Bay Area, I went last week and it was great. He read two bits from his new book, and answered plenty of questions. At least twenty of them, and with great answers. It is wonderful hearing him read, his "voice" in his writing is just the way he talks, so to hear him read his own stuff is an absolute treat! He was super friendly and enthusiastic. We were in Marin, which is a rather ritzy county overall, so the store was full of well read foodies and the like. Those who worked in the business, we were loving it, he was talking to us at times, making references and jokes that it takes being "in the life" to fully appreciate. I mentioned to him that reading his posts on here on ChefTalk when he really gets going is like getting extra little bits of books!

Ask him the questions you really want answered, challenge him, I'm sure he gets repeated questions in his promotional circuit, throw him some curveballs! Look at the questions all posted here, pick a thread he hasn't gotten involved in and ask him one of those perhaps!

If he comes by you, be sure to go check it out!

SG

Devotay · #13 01-26-2002, 10:09 PM

Hello!

I will have the rare privelage of being a "author-escort" for Mr. Bourdain this coming Friday when he comes to Iowa City to read at the best bookstore on the planet, Prairie Lights Books. This means, essentially, that I provide his wheels for this leg of his trip, and I get to take him to dinner.

This is where it gets puzzling, though. Do I follow my knee-jerk instinct and take him to one of my restaurants, or do I take him to one of the other area places (an outstanding Thai place here in town comes to mind)?

I've read all his stuff, including the Typhoid Mary biography and his two works of fiction. While I found Kitchen Confidential a touch apochryphal, I loved it, and I identified with so many scenes.

So whaddaya think about the restaurant dilemma? And do you think I should ask for a walk-on part in the movie version of Kitchen Confidential?

Peace,
kmf

Greg · #14 01-27-2002, 03:58 AM

I think that, while it may seem selfish and self-serving on the exterior, taking Anthony to your place would be a good idea (I've seen your menu!). Especially on a busy Friday, because the other place may not know of him. They would not be able to gaurantee a pleasurable dining experience, whereas you would.

BTW, how's the wood-burning oven thing going?

Live_to_cook · #15 01-28-2002, 11:38 AM

Take him someplace different and interesting where there is unusual offterings - if that's your place, all the better. If it's the unbelievable local specialty, fine.

Look at this guy's brutal schedule. The only thing that keeps him going is probably looking forward to a bit of exploration. And the booze, of course.

My thinking, once you've had royal Thai banquets in Thailand, how interesting can your very good local Thai place be?