Will you look at that map. What kind of mentally unstable individual would willingly subject themselves to 16,000 miles of open American road without being paid millions in return? Me, of course.
What you see here is the first incarnation (7,000 miles) of my planned spring food tour. Sometime around the first I will be jumping into my trusty 2009 Cooper Convertible, roll down the roof, turn on the Ramones on my radio, and drive.
It all started in 2010 when we (a few friends and myself) finally applied for and were awarded the hilariously funny WTF brand. For those who haven’t been to a ranch, cattlemen “brand” their steers and cows with a simple logo to make sure the animal is returned when lost and not stolen. Like a microchip only, you know, 1740s tech. As the proud owners of the Wild Thorns Farm we hoped against hope to find the one Texas official who didn’t blink over the acronym – and we found him.
That year we started a small run of BBQ competition presences as “WTFBBQ” because the name was just too cool to pass up. We lost every single one of them but we had more fun than anyone else and definitely were the most fun to be around, too.
We decided to make 2012 our “big” year and compete everywhere. Then two got married (to each other), one opened a successful restaurant in DeSoto, IL, and another one started dating and isn’t allowed to travel. But, hey, let the wimps stay at home, Jonas is going on that trip come hell or high gas prices.
The map above is in flux. You might notice a slight left coast slant which isn’t intentional, just the result of knowing more people on that side of the world. My trip will, hopefully, be much more even centered.
Along the road I hope to be cooking a lot. And that’s where you come in :)
Have a couch or bath tub I can crash in? Even though I plan to be frugal on my trip, $1400 in gas alone is nothing to sneeze at and if there’s a couch I can rest my weary head I’d prefer it over a night at Motel 6, even if they leave the light on for me.
I’ll do cooking demos and small dinners for scraps wherever I am. My price for a cooking demo is low – the equivalent of a night in a hotel and breakfast. That’s the cheapest you’ll ever get this kind of spectacle.
I am hoping to host a dinner in every city I stop. Many places such as LA, SF, Seattle, Salt Lake City, and Vegas already have one planned but more is always in the cards. Dinners are either hosted by someone (in which case you get to decide who comes) or organized by friends (in case you want an invite). I’ll stop anywhere and drive anywhere we can get 12 people to break bread at. The cost of a dinner? Ingredients, nothing else.
I am doing this as a fun tour and to promote the print version of my Creative Commons licensed book on cooking. If you know a cooking book store in your town I’d be forever grateful if you could get me in contact with people there, either by sending me their contact info or making an intro. I’ll stop anywhere they’ll let me do a book reading.
Just holler and we can have coffee as I pass through.
I admit it’s a crazy idea and half cocked at that. The notion of traveling the States, seeing things, and meeting people has been there for a while, even before WTFBBQ, but never came to fruition. Now with everything else in place and some money in the bank I can finally do it. And do it I will.
Send me a message or join the American Food Nomad group (https://groups.google.co
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Dude, even if we can’t get food, I’d love to at least get a drink when you’re in the Bay Area.
Shit, man, I was JUST about to send you a message on Quora telling you that I’ll come and drag you out if you don’t come as my guest to the Viking themed feast we have planned.
Oh, excellent. Time/place, and can I bring my lady?
Of course. And I’ll keep you posted.
You will be coming in for an interview on air when you’re in Vegas, right?
Absolutely. Let’s plan on it. Will you buy me food?
When do you roll into LA?
Early days of April, around the 10th. I sent an email to the guys at Surfas (http://www.surfaslosangeles.com/) they seem to be doing lots of the speaking and demo stuff and if they say yes I’ll revolve around them.
Awesome, can’t wait to see you man. I’ll see about a couch if you still need one by then ;-)
Most excellent, and yeah seeing old friends is the best part of the trip. Can’t wait, either, man.
Venkatesh Rao did something similar to promote his book (http://www.tempobook.com/2011/04/21/road-trip/), you should connect with him and see if he has any tips. Also, totally down to connect with you and @jorm while you’re in town!
Hey Jonas, please consider adding me to the LA group — also if you contact chef Tim Morrill at The Curious Palate in Santa Monica, you may want to be in LA longer than a day (Surfas is not at the beach and LA is a big place).
[...] The 2012 Food Tour [...]
Jonas, you could try couchsurfing.org. It’s big in Mexico; not sure about the US. Usually really friendly hosts with couches or spare bedrooms.
I actually considered it. And then the offers just started coming in. I am well covered anywhere up the West Coast except for Mendocino which I might not be stopping at since the place I would have come for has been defunct since 2010 (a true shame).
For some of Idaho and on I am still considering it, depending on the simple question of whether I find a travel mate or not for those stretches.
I think I hit an old version of your site (maybe the Quora link is out of date?)
Any thoughts on including Western Canada in your trip? I might be able to find some locations that would love to have you (with accommodations, breakfast and beer money). Let me know and I’d be happy to help find the financing to make it possible.
I was definitely thinking about it. I’ll be in Seattle so it’s not that far.
Come to Louisville, KY and we can do all of the above. Fantastic local bookstore 6 blocks from my house, a guest bedroom here, we will do the event here at my house in my back yard (see my blog for other event photos). I am a hobbyist event planner/former caterer/huge local food foodie and my husband (ceramics prof and artist) and are always open to help out a new book! My friend in Denver passed your site on to me. We would love to have to in the Bluegrass state!! Holler back!!
Jonas
A fan, Brian, is suggesting you stop at Blue Chair on your tour. Are you actually coming to Edmonton, Alberta?
If you are, let me know
I’m not sure how it would work, or what you have planned, but we can talk.
cheers
harold