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When a sandwich is not just a sandwich! /  by George Geary

This past season on The Next Food Network Star the winner was 'The Sandwich Guy".. (I am sure just like you.. you give names to people). I thought what a crazy concept.. How hard is it to make a sandwich? I still think that when I see a book all devoted to the subject.. But then again I am sure there is a book on how to make your bed.

Here is a sandwich on the famous Muffiletta from Central Grocery in the French Quarter. Its a filling sandwich that would be nice with a bowl of soup. 

Central Grocery Muffulettas

The Deep South /  by George Geary

One of the best parts of my career is the traveling to different parts of the world. I never know what I will encounter.  From Labor Day until about the 15th I was in the southern states. Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama.  I spent a weekend getting my 2012 Tour of New Orleans ready (Check out the tour page for the information). Then I headed out on the road trip. First stop Alabama. I had not taught in Alabama since Hurricane Georges went through and canceled my tour in 1998. I was asked to teach in Birmingham, AL. It was a cozy and warm school with a terrific clientele.  While driving in Mississippi on my way to Alabama I stopped at an old general store: The Simmons/Wright Co. It had been built in the 1920s and was still in the same family. Trust me I would not have wanted to eat anything from the store.. The front part was filled with semi-antiques.. (Top and bottom shelves of displays were not for sale). I found the craziest thing on the top level. About 300 prs of shoes in original boxes from the mid-20s.  Crazy I tell you!  I had to purchase something so I got a box of old glass German Christmas ornaments   and a bar of soap made by a local.  I had intended on stopping for a soda or ice cream, but they only thing they sold close was watermelons. 

some of the boxes of shoes....

In Birmingham I taught a Breakfast Brunch Class where we had a terrific cake. The recipe is here: Cinnamon Pecan Coffeecake.

Then off to Atlanta to Cooks Warehouse.. They are currently opening their 4th location in the greater area. I taught 3 hands-on classes. All were very special classes for me. It was historical George Geary I should have called it. One of the classes was based on my first pastry job in LA. We did an array of cakes. I am doing that class again in West Lafayette, IN. After that class I will post all of the recipes for it. Another class was called the Best of the Best. One great recipe from each of my books.

As many of you know my hobby and a passion is saving American architecture. With Frank Lloyd Wright and Los Angeles Conserving being the forefront.  I was please to take a tour of one of the Ustonion  FLW homes in Alabama, then I went off to Jackson, MS where I had a private tour of the Medgar Evers Home  (see the movie Help) arranged by her daughter who is a close friend. It was moving and very touching to see the home.

 

On my way to the airport I had a few hours so I stopped into Willie Maes Scotch House in the 9th ward of New Orleans for some of the best Fried Chicken around!

 

Here is another recipe: Banana’s Foster from Brenanas.. Yes. I am on a Southern Food Streak! All week I will be posting more of the great 

Check back next week for a whole lot of recipes! 

 

George 

The Big Southern Tour /  by George Geary

Next week I will be starting on my BIG Southern Tour.

Atlanta, GA (3 locations) , Birmingham, AL and Hattiesburg, MS.I love the south.. The foods are rich with history and flavor. I have a couple of classes that I am going back to my “roots” recipes I had developed at my first culinary job in Hollywood. And also a class on the World Famous Brown Derby. I purchased a cookbook that was printed in the 1930’s so the recipes are full of flavor and cream! Check my first page on this website for information on all 5 classes.

Tomorrow I am headed down to San Diego to teach a sold outclass. When I put together classes I start with the subject of the class and then go from there. I thought.. Shall I dare? Do a class on the most over rated, over cookbook-produced subject of the past 3 years? Well lets do it.. Lets see if I can get a few people.. No not a few.. SOLD OUT with 60! Cupcakes. Yep.. I caved.. Cupcakes. I will have over 300 cupcakes all lined up. This weekend I made chocolate clay carrots and white rose buds. I will put some pictures up later this week.  Wish me luck!

Wednesday I am headed into Santa Monica (where I was born) to a cheese shop to learn to make Mozzarella. I have made soft cheeses before but would like to see the masters do it. When I took an Italian Food Tour of New Jersey last year I was surprised at all of the different flavors of the mozz. Each very unique!

Be looking for pictures this week via #chefgeary (twitter) and Facebook!

Cupcakes, Cheese and New Orleans at the end of the week.. Oh Boy!