FARMER'S DOZEN: LINDSAY BIERMAN

Akin to a baker's dozen, my Farmer's Dozen is a quantity of a dozen or so questions - a series of questions with fellow designers, authors, tastemakers, friends and Southerners alike.
 

When I think Bottega in Birmingham, I think about fabulous food, amazing atmosphere and my buddy Lindsay Bierman. Whether it’s entertaining new ideas for Southern Living or just catching up, any meal shared with Lindsay Bierman, or any time for that matter, is an absolute treat. Our conversations range from food to fashion, architecture to design, down to just “how’ve you been today.” And while this Farmer can usually count on being one of the best dressed gents at any given event, Lindsay Bierman will always give me a run for my money.

It’s an honor to work with Lindsay as an Editor At Large for Southern Living, but truly the pleasure is being able to count Lindsay as my friend—he’s the perfect sounding board, mentor, and inspirational pal. Ladies and gentleman, we are happy as a duck on a june bug to have Lindsay Bierman with us for the Farmer’s Dozen.

 FARMER'S DOZEN: LINDSAY BIERMAN

1. You went to undergrad at Georgetown and grad school at UVA, two of my favorite college towns. Describe some of the similarities and differences between the mid-Atlantic South and the "deep" South. 

It’s kind of like the difference between France and Italy, which struck me on a train ride I took from Paris down to Venice. As we began to roll out of a station near the border, late at night, the groggy French passengers remained quietly seated, but the Italians jumped up and called out the windows “Partiamo! Partiamo!” to no one in particular. In the American South as in Europe, the personalities and contrasts seem to get bigger the farther South you go. Whether you’re talking about food, fashion, architecture, politics, sports, or religion, the mid-Atlantic states (if you’ll forgive my generalities) have much more reserve and restraint. Alabama’s rougher around the edges, but that’s not always a bad thing—that’s what gives it so much soul and charm. 

A Time to Cook

Ok, ya’ll, I am thrilled! Nothing like a fun trip to the mailbox. For this Farmer, a fun mailbox run usually constitutes new magazines to pour over, a letter from a friend or a lack of bills. Yet, the first copy of your cookbook sent from my publisher is a true treasure!

 

A Time to Cook – Dishes from My Southern Sideboard will be in stores this spring! Blood, sweat, tears and a great deal of butter went into the writing, cooking and photographing of this book. The fabulous Helen Norman photographed the book for me. She also photographed Porch Living and we have worked together with Southern Living photoshoots as well. We had a blast, and, ps, photographing a cookbook is tough work – it takes a great deal of will power not to swipe a lick of whipped cream or a bite of a biscuit!

FARMER’S DOZEN: DEBORAH ROBERTS

 Akin to a baker's dozen, my Farmer's Dozen is a quantity of a dozen or so questions - a series of questions with fellow designers, authors, tastemakers, friends and Southerners alike.


Middle Georgia can boast many a delightful character as a native son or daughter. From Flannery O'Conner to Senator Sam Nunn, we Middle Georgians are proud of those who have made their marks on the home stage as well as the world's.

I believe that the red clay of Middle Georgia stains not only our clothes and cars but stains our souls - as a reminder of the fertile lands from which we were raised. Peaches and pecans flourish in this soil and one Georgia peach in particular has made a name for herself - and no I'm talking about the Elberta. I'm referring to Deborah Roberts - ABC News correspondent, philanthropist and activist, fashionista, doting mother, loving and supportive wife and friend.

I want to welcome Deborah to the Farmer's Dozen my dear! Thank you for all you do for us in Perry and for hosting this ol Farmer boy in New York and even writing a story for A Time to Cook - you are one of Middle Georgia's prized daughters for sure!

 FARMER’S DOZEN: DEBORAH ROBERTS 

1. I know you are from Perry (because we always have to make that distinction that I'm from Kathleen). How has small town Southern living influenced your professional life as a news correspondent? 

My values are present in all that I do at ABC. The way I approach people and what I write in my scripts is governed by my upbringing and beliefs. I try to bring a calm sense of decency and humanity to my work