Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/315858
MEN WHO COOK Photography by jenny evelyn prater by susannah maddux Shep Bickley, partner and grain merchandiser with Cain Agra, is not a meat-on-the-Big-Green-Egg kind of guy. He appreciates that green ceramic grill, but isn't afraid to shake up any who are Big Green Egg devotees. "…everything to me, that comes off the Green Egg, tastes the same. Not that it's not good…but I prefer the gas grill." But not just any gas grill pleases this grill guru. Shep's Viking gas grill allows for his adding preferred mesquite wood chips and versatility in flavor. Shep says he draws inspiration from well-known cooks Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence and Ina Garten. But, soon aer he mentioned star chefs, he shared a special recipe book: one his mom prepared for him last Christmas, complete with hand-written family favorites. And, apparently, he inherited her love of cooking and style in the kitchen. "She's like me…I'm bossy in the kitchen." Shep claims his demeanor in the kitchen is the reason his wife, Erin, quit cooking. But Shep enjoys it so much, she may not want to impede his pleasure. "He even emails our two daughters to ask them what they want to eat," said Erin. He then plans his menus around what his two girls want when they are home from boarding school. And don't assume his love for the grill means Shep's all meat and potatoes. A piece of grilled salmon happens to be his preferred dish. M 96 l MACON MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2013