It’s a Guy (Fieri) Thing

Last week, believe it or not, I had the privilege of speaking with Guy Fieri over the phone.

Yes, me, Susan Whetzel, talking to THE Guy Fieri, host of several Food Network programs, including our household favorite, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We love that show, and the recipes from it. It seems that Guy is just about everywhere these days, from commercials, to Minute to Win It, and now, he’s taking to the road again on what just might be the coolest Rock Concert-Not Rock Concert/Food Concert ever. I’ve never really heard of anything like it.

The Guy Fieri Food Show, according to Guy, will be unlike anything the food audience has ever seen. Although there will be cooking, of course, Guy’s inner rockstar will be on full display with a “killer” fur covered DJ booth, manned by LA’s own DJ Cobra. Not cool enough? An Australian mixologist/performer will open the show with drinks and dazzling I can only imagine will put Tom Cruise and his Cocktails of the 1980s to shame. Plus, expect to see some pork on the menu…Guy’s tour is presented by the National Pork Board. I’ve had nothing but great dealings with the NPB, and I know they will put on one heck of a show!

Ticket prices are very reasonable, from $35 and up, but the true fans will get a lot of bang for their buck, especially those who choose to fork out for one of Guy’s VIP packages. For just under $300, you can opt to sit on stage, sample the cooking, meet and greet, and take home a belly of fine cooking and a copy of Guy’s new cookbook. What’s not to love?

Speaking of the new cookbook – Guy Fieri Food comes out early next month. Amazon currently has it on a special pre-order price at just around $17. Not bad for a 400 page, 150+ original recipe cookbook. Illustrations are by Guy’s tattoo artist, and full color photos present the eye candy we all crave when looking for the next best cookbook. I can’t wait to get mine!

I guess my favorite part of talking with Guy was how REAL he was. A REAL dad, real cook, real man. I asked him about cooking with kids, because I know he’s an advocate for getting families in the kitchen together. In fact, he even petitioned to get the second Saturday in May recognized as a holiday for family cooking – and succeeded! Guy is a firm believer (as am I) that kids should be exposed to as many foods as possible – not just what they ask for. Moms and Dads who only serve mac & cheese and nuggets? Listen up. Yes, that’s what many kids ask for, and even stomp around until they get. But it’s not healthy, and not practical. Exposing your kids to a variety of cuisines makes for a well rounded child, and a healthier one at that. We do NOT make two dinners in this house. If we are having goat cheese chicken, so is Seven. Sure, if he wants to scrape out the goat cheese, okay, but it’s what he’s getting for dinner. He loves broccoli – especially teriyaki broccoli. He loves carrots, and potstickers, and squash. Did he want to try them at first? No, not really. But he loves them, and your kids may, too. Guy expressed that every recipe in his new book is “Kid Friendly”, some more than others, especially those that may have too much heat or require deep frying, but all are family based and would make for a great evening in the kitchen together. He really recommends getting the kids in on the meatball recipe!

I also asked him about Social Networking. Honestly, he’s a little shy about it. He does his own Twittering, though he rarely has much to say. Why? Because he thinks he is boring his fans to death if he tweets what he’s doing. Or that he’ll sound “stupid”.

Really? Guy Fieri has the same anxieties the rest of us do? Whoudda thunk it.

I bet those nerves don’t show on stage. What do you think?

For those of you interested, the tour dates are as follows, and tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Scoop yours up while the getting is good!

MAY

Tue – May-17 North Charleston SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Wed – May-18 Charlotte NC Ovens Auditorium
Thu – May-19 Cherokee NC Harrah’s
Sat – May-21 Windsor ON Caesars Windsor – The Colosseum
Sun – May-22 Cleveland OH Palace Theater
Mon – May-23 Columbus OH Capitol Theatre
Wed – May-25 Midland MI Midland Center For the Arts
Fri – May-27 Sioux City IA Orpheum
Sat – May-28 Hammond IN Horseshoe Casino
Sun – May-29 St. Louis MO Blanche M Touhill Performing Arts Center
Mon – May-30 Kansas City MO Midland Center For the Arts

JUNE

Wed – Jun-01 Fayetteville AR Walton Arts Center
Thu – Jun-02 Catoosa OK Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Fri – Jun-03 Robinsonville MS Bluesville
Sat – Jun-04 New Orleans LA Harrah’s
Sun – Jun-05 Austin TX/San Antonio Bass / Paramount
Tue – Jun-07 Mesa AZ Mesa Arts Center

For more information on Guy, his tour, and his book, be sure to head over to www.guyfieri.com.

And, if you intend to catch his Charlotte, NC tour stop, let me know…I’ll be there!

To Pre-order your book (Hello? DO IT!) – You can get it here…along with the DDD Books. great to have!