Talkin' food with Andy Bean

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Andy Bean, the defending champion at the Regions Charity Classic, discusses his favorite foods, restaurant and a unique culinary experience he shared with Jack Nicklaus.

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Q. What food always reminds you of home?

Andy Bean

BEAN: Black bean soup with no onions. Not spicy.

Q. What's your favorite restaurant, and what do you order there?

BEAN: Outback Steakhouse. I usually order either the blackened Mahi or blackened swordfish. I rarely order steak when I go in there.

Q. Where was your most memorable meal?

BEAN: Anytime I have the opportunity to go to Seafood World in Lighthouse Point, Florida. I always order the blackened swordfish. It's awesome. It doesn't get better than blackened swordfish at Seafood World.

Q. What's the best snack?

BEAN: When you're playing, its Granola bars in the green wrapper and bananas.

Q. Favorite "competition day" breakfast?

BEAN: A bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar, white toast with no butter, and a side of bacon.

Q. What are your comfort foods?

BEAN: Sliced apples with my daughter's homemade dip that includes cream cheese.

Q. Is there any food/drink that you've had to give up recently?

BEAN: I can't eat sausage or whole wheat bread. I'm allergic to both but I haven't been able to figure out what causes that. It's probably either an additive or preservative in both.

Q. What would we find in your refrigerator today?

BEAN: Definitely a gallon of sweet iced tea. You'll find plenty of fruits and vegetables but I don't eat enough of either. There's also a bottle of bar-be-que sauce from either The Rib Crib or Sonny's.

Q. What's the most unusual thing you have ever eaten?

BEAN: I remember being with my dad on a dove hunting trip with Jack Nicklaus and his sons, Steve and Jack Jr. We were hunting just outside of Tampico, Mexico and just before lunch, I shot a gigantic rattlesnake that had been fairly close to Steve Nicklaus only moments before. It was about seven feet long and we decided we didn't need him around for the afternoon. The crew that was with us cleaned him and we had him for lunch that day. I've also had gator tail which is also very good.

Q. If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

BEAN: I think just a good dinner with my family anywhere.

Q. Do you or your family have a favorite food tradition?

BEAN: I usually cook quail and other wild game for everyone who comes over to our house on New Year's Day for the bowl games. We usually invite 125 people and about 500 show up. There's food for everyone though.