Austinist Author Interview: George Duran

Austinist: You write about cooking, expression, and just generally being awesome. But what would you do if you had no hands to cook, write, or make foul gestures with?

Duran: Have you seen the You Tube video of the lady who has no hands and does EVERYTHING with her feet? Simply amazing! Of course, that means that I would only cook cheese dishes so that any funky smell from my extremities can be easily masked.

Austinist: There’ve been so many classics which blur the lines between defined and defined-by for their era. The Old Man and The Sea. King Lear. Watership Down. What kind of book do you think the world needs today?

Duran: The world needs a book about Craigslist. There must be some etiquette protocol set for people who enjoy posting their genitals up in the food discussion board. Enough please!

Austinist: If you were able to bottle expression through the written word, what do you think it might taste like to someone who was deaf and blind?

Duran: An overwhelmingly strong nose with complex aromas ranging from boysenberries to fresh race-horse track dirt. The body has hints of freshly painted graffiti but a clean aftertaste...similar to the soap you were forced to "eat" when you swore as a kid.

Austinist: What would you say of the recent surge in popularity surrounding cuisine crafters? Bourdain, That Naked Chef dude. Even Alton Brown had a barbeque book out a few years back (loved it). How is the phenom of celebrity chef becoming so mainstream?

Duran: It's important to remember that the Television is part of the American culture. Therefore it's only natural that food has become a theme to be covered through this medium. As long as these chefs are inspiring viewers to start cooking in their own kitchens, I see no issues with what they are doing.

Austinist: Is there anything about this year’s Texas Book Festival that you want to highlight, other than the gift of your participation?

Duran: Can I plug my book now? I'm highlighting my non-Rod Stewart, un-presidential campaigning, ambidextrous, soon-to-be-classic, full-of-bottled-expressions, humble-chef cookbook entitled "Take This Dish and Twist It". If you've got a sense of humor, love to eat, and want to get inspired in your own kitchen with simple and original recipes...this book is for you. Otherwise, just come and say "hi". I promise I won't bite too much.