It seems to be universally agreed - Bobby Flay is irritating. Very. Amanda Hesser mentioned him in one "Food Diary" column, where she talks briefly about the "smirk" on his face. I can see that quite clearly. I like Tony Bourdain and Alton Brown a lot. As much as I like Bourdain, I don't see what he meant about Alton Brown's "holier than thou" speech. I don't get A&E, but I saw part of Alton's acceptance speech on the internet (http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/awards.php?year=2003) and it wasn't that bad. It was sort of self-deprecating, actually. Alton Brown may have just been surprised by being greeted by Tony Bourdain and not known how to respond that quickly and Bourdain just misunderstood. I think I'm being objective in saying this, having done the same thing myself many times - I was a completely socially inept dork for much of my life. I really find it hard to believe that he's a jerk - I've read MANY nice things from the people who have gone to his book signings. He'll sign anything, take pictures, and stay until the last person leaves. (Or the store kicks him out, I guess.)
