Meeting an Inspiration

There was only one show on the Food Network I ever cared about watching – Tyler Florence.  I just like the guy.  I like the way he cooks.  I like how easy he makes everything look.  I like that his recipes are usually recipes that Patti and I would actually make at our home, and not some crazy restaurant style with wacky ingredients.  I also like that he laughs at himself and has fun.

If you’ve read my Award Winning BBQ Sauce recipe, you already know that he was my inspiration to start making my own BBQ Sauce.  As I said, he made it look easy, I love BBQ, so why not try?  I did.  And I did it well.  That sauce took 7th place at the Memphis in May BBQ Cooking Contest this year.

Yesterday, Patti and I had the exciting opportunity to meet The Man himself, Tyler Florence, at a local grocery store where he was signing his book, Tyler Florence’s Real Kitchen.  See?  Even the title agrees with me…his recipes are REAL.  NORMAL.

It was without a doubt one of the coolest foodie experiences of our lives.  We only got a minute with him, but I was able to tell him the story of his inspiration for my BBQ Sauce and thank him.  He gave me a high-five when I told him it took 7th place and simply said, “Hey, now we need to get it in the top 3, right?”

Right, Tyler.  What a cool guy.

To read my BBQ Sauce recipe again, click HERE.

Have a great weekend everybody!