Steven Raichlen: Man on Fire

Global grilling authority Steven Raichlen’s new memoir, Man on Fire: Of Life, Love, Literature, and Really Good Barbecue, reveals how a kid from Baltimore—armed with a degree in French literature—launched a barbecue revolution worldwide. With candor and passion, Raichlen shares the formative moments that shaped his career, including his early struggles as a freelance writer, his breakout success with The Barbecue Bible, and how an awkward first appearance on The Today Show kicked off a television career spanning more than two decades in English, French, and Italian. This book is a love song to the evolution of food and its impact on community and culture—and this is a must-attend session not just for foodies and barbecue buffs, but for travelers, history lovers, and anyone who wants to be their own boss. 

Purchase your book from Charis Books & More. When you check-out from that link, please mention that you will need to pick your book up at the event. Books will also be for sale on-site by Charis, and a portion of your purchase will benefit the Decatur Book Festival.

This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required, and seating is first come, first served. Signing information: Signing time: 1:00 PM

Signing location: Marriott Conference Center

About the Author

Steven Raichlen is an author, journalist, lecturer, TV host, and the man who launched the barbecue revolution. He has hosted popular cooking shows, like Planet Barbecue, Project Fire, Project Smoke, and Primal Grill, and written 34 books, including the international blockbusters The Barbecue Bible and How to Grill and the New York Times–bestselling Planet Barbecue and Project Smoke. Raichlen’s books have won five James Beard Awards and three IACP Julia Child Awards, and have been translated into 17 languages. He is a member of the Barbecue Hall of Fame and Taste Awards Hall of Fame. Also an award-winning journalist, Raichlen has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire, GQ, and all the major food magazines. He has appeared on numerous major TV and radio shows in the U.S. and abroad, from Oprah and The Today Show to Fresh Air with Terry Gross and Howard Stern. He also battled—and defeated—the Iron Chef in a Battle of the Barbecue Gods on Japanese television. His new memoir is Man on Fire: Of Life, Love, Literature, and Really Good Barbecue.

About the Moderator

Keith Pepper is the owner and publisher of Rough Draft Atlanta, a leading local media organization in metro Atlanta.  An Atlanta native with deep roots in the community, Keith acquired Rough Draft (née Springs Publishing) a community newspaper publisher, in December 2020 and has transformed it into a digital-first media company that reaches almost one million readers a month across print, web, email, and social media.

With over two decades of experience in local and global media, Keith's career began at age 16 when he started working at WSB Radio. He has worked in global leadership positions at Jupiter Media Metrix, Hitwise, Experian Marketing Services, and Outbrain.

Keith is the former board chair and current board member of The Atlanta Press Club and sits on the boards of the Georgia Press Association, and the Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce. Previously, he was a board member of Kate's Club and Wholesome Wave Georgia. Keith is a graduate of the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, where he also serves on the advisory board.