By Staff
Arthur McLean
If you've ever seen me in person, it wouldn't be a stretch for you to guess I like food. That's why I like the Alabama Department of Tourism's latest promotion. They're going to make 2005 the year of food for the state's tourism campaign.
To kick things off, they've published a brochure listing the 100 dishes to eat in Alabama before you die. And that's actually what they've called it. And they say there's actually closer to 200 great meals listed waiting at 200 different locations.
I'm kinda feeling like Elvis staring down the barrel of a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich right about now; all atwitter with anticipation. The brochure also lists the dates and places of all the state's food festivals, like the Elberta Sausage Festival and so on.
A copy of said brochure is already on its way to my door. If you fancy yourself a bit of the gourmand as well, you might want to consider picking one up yourself. I hear gift certificates to said listed restaurants would make great stocking stuffers.
If you think about it, it's also a great way to do a little sight-seeing and road-tripping on fine weekends right here in our own backyard. Get the brochure and a map. Pick a dish, a location, fill 'er up and off you go. Seafood one weekend, fabulous steaks the next.
No, I'm not on the tourism department dole, I just think it's a good idea. What's the first question you ponder on vacation after you reach your destination? Where to eat of course. I think it's also a great to encourage a little more in-state tourism, where our dollars stay in state for a change.
And let's face, it's about time Alabama got it's due when it comes to food. Most people when they think of southern cooking might think about New Orleans for Creole cuisine, or Memphis or North Carolina for barbeque and Florida for seafood. Of course, north to south and in between, Alabama has all of that in spades.
So, I'll see you next time the dinner bell rings.
Correction: In last week's column, I had a "slip of the fingers" and called Burt Rutan a test pilot. He was actually a test engineer for F-4 Phantom fighter program. My apologies.
Arthur McLean is the editor of the Atmore Advance.