Note: I am not a professional writer, so please do not make fun of my grammar/tense/whatever. Anyone who does will have to make me dinner.

And now on with the story!


Tyler Florence was promoting his new cookbook, Tyler Florence’s Real Kitchen. He's scheduled for 2pm at Cambridge’s Harvard Coop on April 12, 2003. I’m coming to meet you Tyler!!!

Hubby and I arrive about 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. We were actually on time, which is quite amazing. Anyone who has driven in Cambridge will know what I mean. We find parking and trek across walkways to The Coop. We go up to the 3rd floor and find about 10 rows of chairs. 8 rows are filled somewhat, so we go in the 9th one – not bad! Not a lot of people (yeah, baby, more intimate). There are about 40 chairs and about 10 more people standing. I heard Tyler’s voice coming from somewhere in the distance. An employee said that he was doing a radio show and will be seen shortly. So we all just study the books on the surrounding shelves, such as Religion and Philosophy categories, even a How to Keep Your Marriage Divorce-Free book was staring back at me. La la la. Where is the MAN? And then, in an unmistakable Tyler Florence voice...

“HI GUYS!” whoa! Just like Rusty Wallace! (for that story, see my Nascar page here, towards the end).

From behind us, Tyler walks to the front of the room with styrofoam coffee cup in hand. There he is!! He’s just like on TV! I notice his height and what he’s wearing. Hey he’s not this 6’5” tall giant as he appears to be on TV. He is about 5’9” or 5’10”. Dressed nicely in a green sweater, jeans, and sneakers, he looks like a normal, down-to-earth guy.

He took the microphone and thanked us all for coming and complimented us on what a beautiful group of people we were. He started talking to us about how it took 2 years to do the book and how it doesn't contain foie gras or anything complicated, just simple, good stuff. Ok, what is this incredible force keeping me in my seat and not running up there to take him home with me??? Being genuinely interested in the audience, he makes eye contact with as many people as he can, and mentions how this is the biggest book tour ever done by a Food Network star. He’s such a nice person and as the time is passing, you like him more and more.

Hmmm do I know anyone here? Should I run up to the mic and ask "OK, who is from the internet here?" Nah. I like listening to Tyler. Is the person aside of me from the net? (and she was! hiya Minxie!) How about that person over there? Do they seem like computer material?? Oooh Tyler is done talking. What now?

We had a little Q&A session. Some random points were:

- His comfort food? Honey Nut Cheerios and black coffee.
- He cooks with bottled water (as seen on the Seafood Soup episode) because tap water could taste metallic-y, etc.
- Saffron lasts forever but the taste isn’t as strong the older it gets
- He loves Chinese food
- He has read the message boards on the Food Network. (you rock for asking, CTCook) Had a giggle about the scruffy face comment. Thought fan forums and websites are great.
- He enjoys snowboarding, photography, and spending time with his son.
- His girlfriend likes to travel with him.
- The book is in it’s 5th publication
- Food 911 has been picked up for another season and Boston will be one of the areas
- Has a contract for 2 more books
- Is good friends with Bobby Flay

He also mentioned his work history, such as working at Cibo (pronounced Cheebo, not Seebo as I thought) and doing at least 15 Ready Set Cook episodes.

Tyler seemed a bit nervous (I know I’d be petrified doing public speeches - especially if I was a man not knowing what all of these ladies were thinking!). It made him that more likable and believable as a normal person and not this untouchable, mega TV star with his nose up in the air. You wanted to just be his friend and sit aside of him. He has that ability to draw you in, that’s for sure.

After the Q&A, it was autograph time!

The bookstore people handed you a book and post-it note to put your name on it so Tyler knew whom to address the autograph.

I stood in line and was watching a guy in front of me talking on his cell phone. “Yeah, not yet, the guest of honor is here, but I’m not there yet, just one more minute, yeah, almost there, yeah, yeah, uh huh, ok I’m next!” and the phone is handed to Tyler. Tyler actually took the phone and said hello to this guy’s grandmother. Now if that’s not the nicest thing, I don’t know what is. In case Grandma still didn’t believe it was Tyler, the guy also had his wife/gf videotaping the entire thing.

There were two ladies who were next. OH MY I’m after them! Ok, try not to push anyone outta the way! Must...meet...Tyler. They finish up their conversation and YEEE HAWWWWW!!! “Hi Tyler! It’s nice to meet you!” He held out his hand for a shake and said “Hi! ___ (forgot what he said, perhaps nice to meet you?)” I’m beside myself at this point.

As he was signing my book, my husband said to Tyler "my wife is one of those people with a website". Doh! I was just gonna git my book n autograph n be on my way. Guess hubby wanted to share about my little ole page, or get me to talk, or try to embarass me, or all of the above. Well, I'd better hold a conversation now so 1) Tyler doesn't think I'm a nut and 2) I've got something to talk about to my fellow Tyler Florence Fans. Tyler looks up at me and says "oh YEAH?" I said, "yes, just do a search on you and it's one of the first ones that pop up". "OH YEAH? cool! I know... there's one... with... wallpaper". So I said, "yes! that's the other one, I know that one!" (oooh I gotta tell Miss Hestia!) He said “that’s great!” about having a website.

At this point I'm about to just tell everyone to go home so Tyler and I can go get a coffee and discuss website stuff. But alas, there *were* others behind me and I didn't want to take up too much of his time.

I introduced my husband as the photographer. Tyler enthusiastically stood up, held me close like we were best buddies and said in my ear “for the website, right”. He kept thanking me for everything (talking, showing up, getting a book, doing a website, etc etc) then shook my hand goodbye. Noooo you come home with meeeeee. You are so nice!

Oh well. All things come to an end. I strolled (or was I skipping?) down Cambridge streets not caring if I got lost. There was a song in my head, something like: I met Tyler, la la la, I met Tyler, oh yeah, I met Tyler, la la la!

Friends ask if I’ll ever wash the entire left side of my body (see photo) and my right hand (handshake) again. They also ask if the maroon colored shirt is vacuum sealed and has a security system protecting it. LOL. They’re so silly!

Anyways, my advice is this. If you ever get a chance to meet this wonderful, very approachable person known as Tyler Florence, go for it. You will have that warm, fuzzy feeling from his charm and kindness.

BTW, do you realize how many security companies are listed in the yellow pages?

Here we are!

"Best Buds"
(well, we look like best buddies!)



Here's another fan's story


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