Of the more than 700 souls who waited in line Tuesday to get books signed by Martha Stewart — a line that hugged corners, and filled an antechamber with cordoned switchbacks, and shot through the lobby, and spilled into the parking lot fronting the Georgia Aquarium’s Oceans Ballroom — there were about 30 bored kids splayed on the floor, a handful of restless husbands and one dog. The rest were women.

Beaker, the dog, waited from 10 a.m. for the book signing that didn’t start until three hours later. A trained service dog, he accompanied his mistress, Kathy Rossi-Evanina, who brought her own book, “More Cooking with Canines” to present to Stewart and raise awareness for her Alpharetta-based group, Canine Assistants.

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ELISSA EUBANKS/eeubanks@ajc.com

Martha Stewart signs two of her cookbooks Tuesday at the Georgia Aquarium.

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• Check out photos from the event

Stewart was in town Tuesday afternoon to film a television segment at the aquarium and sign copies of two books: “Martha Stewart’s Cookies” and “Martha Stewart’s Cooking School.” As servers offered cookies to everyone in the restless crowd but Beaker — the kitchen baked 2,000 chocolate chippers and ginger-dark chocolate chews for the occasion — Stewart sat down to answer some questions. She wore a blue blazer, blue slacks and extremely high-heeled boots and was game for any query thrown her way.

Q: In Taiwan they call whale sharks “tofu shark” for the soft texture of the flesh. Have you ever tried it?

A: (Laughs.) No! I’ve never been to Taiwan.

Q: Do you put sugar in your cornbread?

A: A little bit. Doesn’t Scott Peacock put a little bit in his cornbread?

Q: We hear you’re planning to have chef Joe Truex from Repast cook on your show.

A: Yes, we’re looking forward to having him. We always do our research to find the best in every city.

Q: What do you think of chefs cooking so much variety meat these days? Do you get sick of it?

A: Well, everyone has to experiment and try different things. I think it’s good.

Q: What do you slam together in the kitchen in 10 minutes?

A: On Saturday night I had six people over for Valentine’s Day and the cooking took only 10 or 15 minutes. I made bucatini pasta with a grated domestic truffle from North Carolina in butter and sea salt. That, and a good salad from the garden.

Q: Do you think the Obamas should plant a vegetable garden on the White House lawn?

A: Yes, I do. Alice Waters was proposing they dig up the Rose Garden. I think they should keep the roses. They could dig up part of the lawn and have a nice fenced-in vegetable patch. They should get plenty of volunteers. I’ll come and weed anytime.

Q: Who does the best Martha Stewart?

A: There was that woman on “Saturday Night Live” (Ana Gasteyer). But, really, good impressions are of people who are down and out, and that’s not me anymore!

Q: So … checking out any dining in Atlanta?

A: There are too many places to try and not enough time. I’d love to try Bacchanalia, and I heard about this place Cakes & Ale. What are the cakes?

Q: What’s your favorite cocktail?

A: I like straight vodka with orange. Or kumquat. Yes, a really good kumquat. And ice. And a beautiful glass.