Cotton Row, Commerce Kitchen chef James Boyce talks Taste of
Home, football food, al fresco dining  Chef James Boyce stands
on a balcony at his downtown restaurant Cotton Row. (Matt Wake/
Matt Wake | By Matt Wake | Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on September 05, 2013 at 2:29 PM, updated September 05, 2013 at
2:39 PM  HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- "I always tell people the best
recipes or concoctions are accidents," chef and restaurateur
James Boyce says.  He's seated at a second floor corner table
inside his dandy downtown restaurant Cotton Row, which is housed
in an exposed-brick space that dates back to 1821. Afternoon
sunlight peaks through a nearby balcony door and over his
shoulder.  About 10 years ago while still based in Laguna,
Calif., James had to improvise when he arrived sans dessert at a
Long Beach home to cook a five-course meal for about a dozen
people. The scenario birthed the Peanut Butter & Jelly With
Phyllo, the Cotton Row sweet which features strawberry compote,
chocolate ice cream, peanuts