As I watched Renee Ferguson hold her own in a challenge on the Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay,” I became certain that this “Turkey Diva,” is soon to become the next “Holiday Hostess.” So I invited Renee—who has just authored a book called “Talk Turkey to Me” – to join me on Tripodder.com for a holiday podcast. Renee spent 14 years as a Butterball Hotline Expert. When people would call in on holidays with traumas of cooking their birds, she was there to give them guidance, support, and often times counseling.  While witnessing everything from tears to laughter from various callers throughout the years, talking and cooking turkey became Renee’s passion. Her new book shares anecdotes and stories from her experience as the “Butterball Call Girl,” as Bobby Flay calls her.  
     “It was such an enjoyable mix between our personalities,” says Renee of her recent appearance with Bobby Flay. “I think Bobby was surprised when I told him where to put his stuffing.” Renee is from Geneva, Illinois, but her goal is to eventually be known all across the country as the official go-to expert during the holiday season. “Talk Turkey to Me” was a finalist in the 2007 Indie Book Awards, and has been endorsed by the National Turkey Federation.
    During our interview, Renee shares some colorful accounts from her tenure at Butterball. One story involved a family who went to grandma’s house in Louisiana, where someone decided to thaw a turkey in the swimming pool. Mom decided that she and her children weren’t eating a bite of the turkey, so she took them to McDonald’s after visiting with grandma. Another caller told Renee that her husband had the bright idea of keeping the gas grill free of grease by filling the bottom of it with kitty litter—not such a bright idea after all.
    As Renee and I continue to talk, I flip through this book of humor, delicious recipes, and culinary guidance, and I begin to crave a holiday feast. Garlic-Herbed Cream Cheese Smashed Potatoes, Raspberry-Lemon, Marbled Pound Cake, Deep-Fried Sweet Potatoes with Sugar and Cinnamon… wait, I haven’t even reached the Turkey Part yet.  
    Long before Renee reached her status as the “First Lady of Turkeys,” there was a photo taken of her as a little girl around six years old standing a in a field facing thousands of white turkeys.  As if it was a sign of things to come, you can see the army of birds in the photo looking up to Renee as if to say, “You are our leader.”  
    To get an idea of what is to come for your upcoming holiday feast, I recommend a few web sites. First, log on to Tripodder.com and listen to my interview with Renee Ferguson. After that, if you’re ready to purchase her book or simply see some menu ideas and register for her newsletter, go to www.TurkeyTools.com. You can also find “Talk Turkey to Me” on Amazon.com.
     ”Even if you’re just Martha Stewart for one day, you feel pressure to make everything perfect for this one meal.” Renee wants to make sure we all are in the same boat when it comes to any meal or occasion —holiday or not—that requires cooking and talking turkey.
I’m still working on perfecting my own recipe this holiday season. Renee is consulting me and suggesting Bourbon butter injected into the breast. No matter what happens to you this holiday season, take Renee’s advice: “Don’t get your giblets in a knot.”