Food TV

I know it’s been a week since I posted, but I am back now, with the renewed vigor of one who thought they were on the verge of death only to be granted a last minute reprieve. That being said, todays blog is not specifically about AB, rather it is about a wonderful community of people known as the Briners over at the Good Eats Fan Page. When I published my interview with Nic Skrade of Uptown Tattoo, I got introduced to this wonderful community. What I found in the forums was a group of very close friends, almost family. They laugh together, cry together, and support each other at the hard times in their lives. They are young and old; Christian and Pagan (and probably any other faith you can think of…); Republican and Democrat… They are as diverse a group I have found online. And I love them.

This Christmas, I had only been a part of the group a short time, when I found that they have a fun gift exchange with each other over the holiday season. According to Shawn Banks, the site moderator and organizer of the gift exchange, the purpose behind it is “a fun way for foodies to get at least ONE foodie gift, put together with them in mind, and lots of love”. And that is exactly what it is. While I did not fit the criteria of being a member of the board for at least 6 months or 100 posts, I was still allowed to participate. I appreciated the confidence and trust put into me even though I had just joined their group. What I found out, is that while trust is a key issue in a group gift exchange with what amounts to a bunch of strangers across the country, it is not wholeheartedly relied on. Unfortunately in the world, some people are out to get something for nothing. And sometimes life happens, and what was intended as a gesture of goodwill is no longer possible. Knowing this, ChefShawn instituted what is known as the “gypped fund”. This is to cover a secret santa gift for those that are screwed out of the gift that they deserve, having given one of their own. Everyone who joins the gift exchange is encouraged (but not required) to give a gift of $3 to go towards this fund. Before the gypped fund was instituted there were several volunteer secret santas to cover those that did not recieve their gifts, simply out of the holiday spirit…

Of course, all hope is that the fund will not be needed for the purpose intended. And so, it was decided that the money would go to a worthy cause if it were not needed for Briners whose Santa’s abandoned them. Where to send the money you ask? Why to Alton Brown’s charity of choice, of course!!! Heifer International, dedicated to helping underprivleged families in rural areas and third world countries, by providing them with livestock and the knowledge of how to care for it and use it to feed their families. Each donation to Heifer International comes to families in the form of cattle, pigs, goats, etc… It worked. Last year the Briners were able to donate one animal to the cause. This year, however, there was a different spark to the group. This year, several Briners said that they would be a replacement santa to those who did not receive the gifts that they were promised. The reason for this, was that they would donate another set of wonderful and amazing gifts to someone, simply so that the fund was not touched. Because of the goodness of the hearts of these people, and the generosity of one who has said that they would double whatever was donated by the group as a whole, the Briners are going to donate an amazing $1200 to Heifer International this year. It seems that they will be able to donate a cow, a pig, and several chicks, “and then some” according to ChefShawn.

I am proud to be a member of this group!!! Kudos to all the members of the Good Eats Fan Page, and Kudos to Alton Brown for inspiring his fans to donate their hard earned money to such a worthy cause!!!!