Third Coast Cuisine

In the six year history of the Next Food Network Star, Guy Fieri is the only bona fide star the reality show has produced (although Aarti Sequira may be the second).  Since then his life has been a whirl wind.  Here's a brief rundown according to Guy's web site:

In 2006, Guy Fieri (‘Fee-eddy’) premiered his first show, Guy's Big Bite on Food Network. Today, this "Culinary Rock Star” also hosts top-rated show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, as well as the special series Tailgate Warriors and guest judges on Next Food Network Star. On March 14th, 2010, Guy made his debut as a game show host on the new NBC primetime series, Minute To Win It. The show became an instant success and is currently airing its third season.

In 2009, Fieri put together a motley crew of chefs, flair bar tenders and hangers own for the Guy Fieri Road Show,  "the first ever rock n' roll culinary tour."  2010 saw a repeat performance.  According to eat.com's Doug Quint and Bryan Petroff, "this spectacle is part cooking demonstration, part concert, and the next step in Fieri's epic march towards culinary world domination."

Between May 17 and June 7, the ‘Guy Fieri Food Show,’ sponsored by the National Pork Board, will feature an interactive culinary event where attendees will enjoy a live cooking demonstration. With Fieri’s high-energy attitude amped up and the non-stop adrenaline rush of a rock concert, audiences will walk away armed with recipes, tools and tips and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This year Road Show includes the usual cast of culinary cronies including the Third Coast's own Chef Pete Blohme (pictured above with Guy) who plies his trade in picturesque Fairhope, AL where he is known as Panini Pete.  This year's tour includes stops in the Gulf South with dates at Bluesville in Robinsonville MS (Fri - June 3) and Harrah's Casino in New Orleans (Sat - June 4).  For tickets news and date changes check out Fieri's web site HERE.

If you’re not able to catch Fieri in person, his new cookbook, Guy Fieri Food: Cookin’ It, Livin’ It, Lovin’ It offers readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the man behind the food. His one-of-a-kind style literally jumps off the page, as he takes meals from everyday to over-the-top. America knows Fieri has always been adventurous when it comes to food, and his cookbook is chock-full of new recipes, including over 20 inspired pork creations. Among them:

• Summer Grilled Pork – Featuring boneless pork chops and bacon, it’s “pork on pork,” rolled and stuffed with big flavors and basted with a rockin’ honey, beer and mustard glaze.
  
• Watermelon Pork Tacos – An unexpected pairing of juicy watermelon and lean pork tenderloin, these fresh summertime tacos come together in romaine lettuce “shells.”
  
• Pork Blade Steak Piccata – With all the favorite flavors of its famous Italian namesake, Fieri shows off pork’s versatility in this reinvented masterpiece for the grill.

From a Rocky-obsessed Philly expat, Way South slings the City of Brotherly Love's finest export in styles ranging from the traditional Whizzed Balboa to experiments like the pizza-steak Marciano, plus sides like a meal-sized portion of Philly-topping'd tater tots called the Mickey, effectively putting your Minnie days behind you.