Veteran Birmingham News reporter Bob Carlton, seen here with cookbook author
Alison Lewis, has a popular new item at Pepper Place: Bob’s Soon-to-Be-Famous
Pimento Cheese.
Birminghamians have a lot of choices for pimento cheese, and another local celebrity is making a strong case for his own version of the Southern classic.
Bob’s Soon-to-be-Famous Pimento Cheese, made by Birmingham News food writer Bob Carlton, made its commercial debut at Pepper Place Saturday Market this month. And it was a huge success: He sold all 78 containers before 11 a.m.
Carlton says he’s been making his own pimento cheese for more than 10 years, bringing it to parties and giving out tubs as gifts, but he started selling it only about a year ago. “I started selling it word-of-mouth, just sending out e-mails and seeing who wanted to order some,” he said. “It has grown from there.”
Carlton’s recipe includes four cheeses and diced jalapeños, in addition to the traditional pimentos; a little cayenne pepper adds to the kick. “Each batch is different, depending on how heavy-handed I am with the pepper,” Carlton said. The recipe uses very little mayonnaise, but “like any true Southerner, I swear by Duke’s,” he said.
He sells the 12-ounce containers for $8.
Carlton appears to have serious pimento-cheese chops, despite his relatively narrow culinary background. In 30 years with the daily newspaper, he covered city hall, music movies, television and several other beats before moving on to food.
Carlton plans to have his booth for Bob’s Soon-to-be-Famous Pimento Cheese again at Pepper Place throughout the summer, including July 23. Next, he will be at Helena Market Days from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in Old Town Helena. He says he wants to get into local supermarkets and plans to talk to store owners, but that it’s likely a long way off.
To order Bob’s Soon-to-be-Famous Pimento Cheese, email bobspimentocheese@gmail.com or call (205) 919-6724.
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