Pie on Dinner with the Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band’s Meet & Eat

St. Augustine, Florida

11/13/09

Friday the 13th is supposed to be a day of ‘bad luck’ or maybe to be cautious with your actions. Well, on November the 13th (a Friday) in 2009 I had luck on my side. With the help of Michele with one L and Rhonette I had a great day. Because of ‘One L’, Rhonette and I were given the opportunity to go and see The Zac Brown Band. If you are not a country music fan then you might not know who they are. But if you are, then you are aware of the great music that these guys make. You might be thinking to yourself at this point… ‘What has this got to do with food?’. Well, I am getting to that… hang with me and be just a lil’ bit patient. Not only did ‘One L’ help us with tickets but also was able to get us into the ‘Meet & Eat’. This was one of the best pre (or post) concert experiences I have ever had.

 For those of you that have ever been able to go backstage before a concert and meet an artist, then you are aware of awkward kind of feeling that is present there. In my life I have been able to go backstage for Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, Johnny Cash, Martina McBride, Train and many others. Please don’t think this is me being braggadocios. But of all of the artist that I have had the chance to meet, greet, hang with or get pictures made with… none of them can beat the down home and comfortable feel that The Zac Brown Band gives. The whole concept of a meet and greet is tossed out the window with the meet and eat. 

Zac Brown

As we walked into the backstage area that afternoon, you felt like you were at your best friend’s cookout and not a pre concert event. We saw the line for the buffet and decided to get our drinks first. On our way to the drink table we were intercepted by Zac Brown himself. He reached out his hand and asked us if we were having a good time. He then started up a conversation with us. He may very well be the most genuine music artist that I have ever met. The ‘Meet & Eat’ was a concept that he and his fan club put together to get to know the fans. Zac Brown stood there with us for a few minutes and even gave me an idea of a few of the songs they would play for the show. 

Zac Brown Band

After Zac moved from us he proceeded to ask some people at a table if they needed anything… Really he did. We grabbed our drinks and moved to the buffet. While in line, we got to meet a young lady named T-Bird. She happens to be the president of the fan club. We raved to her about the set up and manner of this event. Both Rhonette and I had nothing but good things to say about the whole experience. T-Bird had traveled down from Atlanta earlier that day for the show, and was going to see ZBB for the next 2 shows on this weekend. While talking to T-Bird she told us to be prepared for a great meal, boy was she right. My first thought was, ‘Who in St Augustine catered this incredible spread?’. That is when I was told by T-Bird that they eat like this every night. See, ZBB have ‘Chef Rusty’ that travels with the guys. Chef Rusty also has Josh who is his souse chef that is there to help. These guys are not only chefs but they appear to be good friends. After talking to them for a few minutes I asked if we could get a picture with them. They we cool and more than happy to do so. We stepped around the corner and took the picture. There is a request not to take pictures of and with ZBB at the Meet & Eat to keep it more of a family and not a fan feel. When we returned to the tables we saw Zac walking around with his little girl on his shoulders. They looked happy, and we all felt like a family.

 Now to mention the buffet! There was cole slaw, salad, various breads, green beans, potatoes, mixed veggies, grouper, pork tenderloin, and brownies and and and… uh, oh it was just wonderful. The cool thing about chef Rusty was that he was around and asking everyone around if they liked the food. He also was giving away his secrets on the preparation of the meal. Everything was so fresh and seasoned perfectly. At one point after I was finished with my plate I gingerly walked back to the buffet, grabbed a roll, tore it open and had them place a piece of beef tenderloin in it. That is something I have done before… There was no one item on the buffet that I was unhappy with, not a one.  Go to the video link at the end of this review, click on it and you will see the great food!

Zac Brown Band

Some may not know that Zac himself is a chef. Well known with his friends for various homemade sauces and spice mixtures. He has been a restaurant owner and manager. If there is anyone who knows good food it is Zac Brown. He also knows how to treat his fans. In the past I have met some real jerks that are stars on stage but Zac Brown is a real great guy. He likes to have fun, make good music, and treat his fans like gold. Thank you ZBB! And thank you One L. 

Check out the video here

Review by Pie, email:  pie@piesplate.com