Response from Alton Brown

Celeb chef clarifies his relationship with Greenpeace

Posted by Grist at 12:03 PM on 01 Jul 2008

Read more about: food | interview | Tis the Season | grassroots activism

A couple of weeks ago, we ran an interview with Food Network chef Alton Brown about his new sustainability efforts. In the course of the piece, Roz Cummins asked him if he'd be willing to crew on a Greenpeace boat, and he said yes -- an answer that's apparently been repeated and miscontextualized all over the place.

Brown dropped us a note to clarify his position. Here's what he has to say:

Dear Editor,

Just to set the record straight: Although I would be very interested in spending time on a Greenpeace vessel in order to learn more about the organization and their actions on the high seas, I am not a Greenpeace "supporter" per se. I strongly disagree with several of their stands and find many of their methods extreme to the point of being counter productive. That said, I do respect their passion and commitment.

Thanks for your time and for your work,

Alton Brown

For story: Response from Alton Brown
5 Comments | Post a Comment

Tsk tsk! Pshaw!

What a disappointing volte face! (Or is it a flip-flop?)

If AB seems to approve of Greenpeace one moment, then what are his reservations about them the next? He may indeed be right that some things they have tried to do were counter-productive; but he might try to specify what they are for us.

In fact, Greenpeace strikes me as being a work in progress. And in the past couple of years, they are making some nice positive developments. E.g., earlier this year, it was quite impressive, the way their scientists documented new and interesting fauna on the floor of the Bering Sea.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 12:56 PM on 01 Jul 2008

For crying out loud!

I love AB, but he's a friggin' CHEF on the FoodTV network! He's not running for public office! Who CARES what he thinks about GP?

Honestly, get a life.

No individual raindrop ever considers itself responsible for the flood.

by moehrlei at 1:57 PM on 01 Jul 2008

Seafood industry pressure?

He probably got special deals on seafood orders. Until he told the truth.

If he is New York based at all, angering mob run food supply companies is not good for one's health. He could be sleeping with the fishes, if he isn't more careful.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin

by amazingdrx at 2:15 PM on 01 Jul 2008

hardly an about face

In the article he said he'd be willing to go on a boat with Greenpeace to document illegal tuna catches. Rather specific and not a full endorsement of Greenpeace. I also doubt he gets lots of fish from industry groups and he's not based in NYC, he's based in Atlanta.

by latenac at 6:56 AM on 03 Jul 2008

TV celebrity chefs

often are morons.

my business was just featured on the food network and the "talent" from FN was a f-ing joke. His claim to fame if his barbacue sauce with HFCS, nice!

by Bud Dingler at 4:22 PM on 05 Jul 2008

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