I agree, shroom. I met him at a book signing at a small independent book store in Milwaukee a couple of years ago. He was as engaging and patient, ever so patient, with the gushing fans and the student chefs alike. He took time to talk to everyone who stood in line to have a book signed. He had a nice word for this community too (I know he was a member and posted at one time... can't find his name on the list any more). He was not dismissive of his Midwestern audience, as we often experience here from East coast people with his high media exposure.