The Butter Queen

This Friday, Central Market will be completely out of whipping cream and butter. From noon to 2 p.m., skip your lame work lunch: Ina Garten is signing her Barefoot Contessa cookbooks at Central Market, 5750 E. Lovers Lane. And when the Contessa's in town, may no dairy product live to its stamped expiration date. May no sugar, be it brown or otherwise, sit idly by on a shelf. May no man, woman or child utter the words, "no-carb diet." Garten will only sign books purchased at Central Market that day (They're really specific about it. I'm guessing it's because Ina's totally over her Sharpie-signing people's boobs phase. The Web site even says that if you bring a book from home for her to sign, you're only getting a bookplate—no actual pen to book contact. Someone say Diva? Whatever. As long as "1/2lb. butter" is the first ingredient in every recipe she writes, I'm happy), so bring some cash. And bring an appetite, too—the CM is baking up free samples of brownies, cookies and cupcakes made from Barefoot's recipes and mixes. Call 214-234-7000 or visit centralmarket.com.
Fri., Nov. 30, 12-2 p.m., 2007