burger meisters

Food Network stars Paula Deen and Bobby Flay were in town this morning to shoot a special called "Tricked Out Tailgating." Terry Morrow's column in yesterday's paper had all the details. Despite the current price of gas, I had to drive down to UT and watch for a while.


I arrived just as the taping began. In the first segment, the two teams had to prepare burgers.


Paula was teamed with this year's Memphis in May grand champions. Bobby's team consisted of UT fraternity brothers. The judges were from Memphis in May, UT and the American Tailgaters Association.


I was hoping to get Paula and Bobby to sign my Food Network hat. The closest I got to either of them was a photo with Paula's husband, Michael Anthony Groover.


I finally got some pictures of Bobby when it was time for the judging.


Before they started the Chicken Wing competition, I tried to get a little closer. The guy in the ref suit took his job very seriously and escorted me out of the area. As I was leaving, Paula was sneaking a cigarette break behind the trailer. I waved and she waved back.