Meet Taylor Mathis, Author of THE SOUTHERN TAILGATING COOKBOOK

On Friday, October 4, 2013, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Avid Bookshop will host cookbook author Taylor Mathis in celebration of The Southern Tailgating Cookbook. As this is an off weekend for the Georgia Bulldogs, we think this cookbook will kick your next tailgate up a notch (that's the UGA vs. Missouri game on 10/12!). You'll also be able to sample some of the recipes from Taylor's book!

According to tailgating enthusiast Taylor Mathis, “You’ll understand why a game day in the South is unlike any other” when you read his cookbook, The Southern Tailgating Cookbook: A Game-Day Guide for Lovers of Food, Football, and the South.  

Mathis is a food and lifestyle photographer who pursued his love of college athletics by visiting various colleges and universities in the South to learn about their favorite tailgate specialties and game-day traditions. He spent two and a half seasons traveling to 35 different college games and stadiums across the country throughout 12 different Southern states.

“From these tours, I was able to see what tailgaters were eating, what kinds of foods worked best for tailgating, and experience the traditions and atmospheres that make tailgating a fall pastime unlike any other,” Mathis said.

Featuring 110 vibrant recipes inspired by his travels, The Southern Tailgating Cookbook is chock-full of Southern football culture, colorful photographs of delectable dishes, and essential preparation instructions. Mathis worked with his mother, Sally James, to develop and test recipes such as Chicken-Sweet Potato Kabobs, Zesty Arugula and Kale Salad, and Deep Fried Cookie Dough—something to satisfy every fan’s taste buds.

Fans can also use Mathis’s cookbook to learn about various schools’ traditions and tailgating cultures. 

“Every team has its own colors, chants, songs, and traditions that are unique to them,” he said. “At every campus I visited I was able to witness and partake in the clothing and greetings that are a part of their game day tradition. Fans wearing bowties or sundresses with high heels are something you won’t see in areas outside of the South, for example.”

His entertaining rundowns on unique southern football traditions—from fans’ game-day attire and hand signals to the music of the marching bands—are sure to lift both seasoned and novice tailgaters to greater heights of tailgate pleasure.

According to Mathis anyone can tailgate. “Tailgating is an activity for all ages, from nine months to ninety-nine years, and it appeals to anyone who loves great food, being around loved ones, and supporting his or her team.”

“I hope this book leaves you inspired for your next tailgate, backyard barbecue, family reunion, or any other event you’re hosting.” Mathis said. “Remember, you can’t control how your team performs on the field. All you can do is throw the best pregame celebration possible.”