Celebrity chef Alton Brown hosted a book signing event at New York City Barnes & Noble to celebrate the release of his second volume in the Good Eats trilogy, Good Eats 2: The Middle Years. Author/actor John Hodgman (the “I’m a PC” guy) shared the stage and conversation with Brown (pictured, via).
Brown and Hodgman have been friends since a 2004 road trip. Brown brought a tiny bottle of New York rye whiskey while Hodgman came with a large bottle of Kentucky bourbon. Brown asked for a volunteer and one excited young woman excitedly popped on stage. Brown ordered: “Go to the cafe and get us some ice.” Have there ever been incidents in the past where authors have drunk on stage during events?
Brown’s encyclopedic tome weighs 3.85 pounds, half an ounce more than the previous volume, Good Eats: The Early Years. Hodgman complimented Brown for actually writing the books himself. Brown responded: “I’m actually writing these books. I’m almost done with my next book, how ’bout you?” Hodgman sipped his drink and answered, “Fake trivia takes time, you know.” After the talk, Brown personalized and signed every single book.