Andrew Carter Curtis

famous catfish stew

Famous Catfish Stew is a timeless true story of a young veterinarian (author) and an aging mentor, replete with Southern traditions. As the knife making skill is taught, life lessons are learned, and a way of life is shared. This mentor, Mr. Andrews, is a craftsman with an artistic eye, but his eye for beauty transcends the material side. In transforming a rusty piece of metal into a beautifully handcrafted knife, Mr. Andrews shares valuable lessons of simplicity, patience, optimism, and quality. An unexpected twist leaves the author with a gift more profound than he could have ever dreamed to receive.

Famous Catfish Stew

1. Cut/dice 3.5lbs. red potatoes

2. Dice 2 large onions

3. Smoke 4lbs. catfish filets (preferably on a charcoal grill)

4. 4 bacon strips

5. 4 tbs butter

6. 2 tbs Worcestershire sauce

7. 2 tsp seasoning salt

8. 2 tsp salt

9. 2 tsp garlic powder

10. 1 tsp black pepper

11. Items 1,2,4,5 in large stock pot- stir on high

12. Add 2 qrts tomato juice

13. Add remaining ingredients, except catfish, and bring to a boil, then simmer

14. Mix in chunks of catfish while stew is simmering

15. When potatoes are cooked, stew is ready to serve

Praise

Endorsed by Mr. Andrews’ family!

"It's hard to adequately put into words how much this book means to me... Papa was right there on the page!"
"The way you described their place was wonderful, and I felt like I was right back there again with Papa in his shop and Mama Nell relaxing in her chair."
This book “… is something to treasure and pass on to the next generations.”—Amy, Mr. Andrews’ granddaughter

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“You can turn to Famous Catfish Stew and escape to reality— where people engage with nature and one another in wisdom and honesty… You will hear the rustling wind in the South Georgia pines, smell the soft, southern air, and feel the fulfillment of caring friendship. I commend this book to… all whose souls seek refreshment.”—William H. Capitan, PhD, President Emeritus Georgia Southwestern State University

“Andrew is a watercolorist, using words to paint soft, gentle scenes of landscapes, life, and friendship… Andrew says, ‘It’s a shame the world could not know Mr. Andrews.' With this book, readers will know him, and their lives will be enriched, too.”—Kathleen Vestal Logan, author of Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On!

“Such a special story. Felt like I was there with y’all. Very well written.”—A.C. Wood, Commander, United States Navy

Famous Catfish Stew is a heartfelt true story of friendship, mentorship, and the quiet wisdom found in a simpler way of life.

When young veterinarian Andrew Curtis sets out to learn the art of making an antler-handled knife, he never expects the journey to shape far more than steel and bone. His search leads him to Edwin Andrews, an elderly South Georgia craftsman whose humble home, worn tools, catfish pond, and unforgettable kindness become the setting for a life-changing friendship.

Through afternoons spent grinding blades, fishing for catfish, sharing pepper jelly, and listening to stories from a man who has lived with faith, patience, humor, and generosity, Curtis discovers lessons that reach far beyond knife making. Mr. Andrews teaches him that imperfections give handmade things their character, that time given freely is one of life’s greatest gifts, and that the richest moments are often found in the simplest traditions.

At the heart of their bond is a recipe known as the Almost Famous Catfish Stew—a dish reserved only for special occasions. As the years pass, the stew becomes more than a meal. It becomes a symbol of friendship, memory, gratitude, and the legacy one person can leave behind.

Warm, reflective, and deeply personal, Famous Catfish Stew is a tribute to an extraordinary friendship between two men separated by generations but joined by shared respect, Southern tradition, and the beauty of slowing down long enough to truly listen.

Perfect for readers who enjoy inspirational memoirs, Southern storytelling, stories of mentorship, and books that celebrate faith, family, friendship, and the simple gifts that shape a meaningful life.