One of the questions I get asked most is, “Do Food Network hosts read this website? Do they love it or hate it?”

The answer: most of them haven’t acknowledged our existence. Paula Deen’s people sent me an autographed cookbook with a pair of pink bedazzled eyeglasses, Andrew Zimmern’s people sent me a t-shirt, and Tyler Florence threatened to sue me if I ever “harassed” him again (Tyler, you can have my 1995 Toyota Celica and my college loans; they’re all yours, dude!)

And then there’s Alton Brown. Last week, he wrote me one of the best e-mails I’ve ever received in my life: a simple note to say how much he enjoys reading this website, that it makes him laugh often, and oh yeah: that he made a $100 donation to show his gratitude for doing what we do.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

Just when you thought the man couldn’t possibly get any cooler, he challenged his fellow Food Network chefs to a financial throwdown  and offered to match all of their pledges to this website. Oh, it’s on now!

I sent out Twitter messages to Rachael Ray, the Deens, Alex Guarnaschelli, Bobby Flay, Ted Allen, Charm City Cakes, Guy Fieri, Adam Gertler, Giada, The Neelys, and Aaron McCargo to alert them about the challenge. We’ll keep you updated if any Food Network personalities actually do step up, admit they like the site, and decide to make a donation… though I’m not expecting to hear from Tyler Florence any time soon.

All jokes aside, a huge thanks goes out to Alton Brown for doing what he does, for doing it so well, and for being able to laugh at himself along the way. Cheers, Alton!

UPDATE: If any of the hosts actually DO contribute to Alton’s throwdown, a portion of the money collected will be donated to FeedingAmerica.org. For every $1 donated, Feeding America helps provide 7 meals to men, women and children facing hunger in our country.