Baking Powder Drop Cheese Biscuits

My dad likes cooking shows, mostly Alton Brown, but he likes a variety of shows. He told me a while back that he had found/made/discovered the recipe for the cheesy biscuits from Red Lobster. Not the ACTUAL recipe, but one very similar. So I told him he had to send it to me. In truth, I haven't made these yet. Why? I don't know. No time to I guess. But they are on my "To-Make" list. So until then, here is the top-secret recipe! :)

Baking Powder Drop Cheese Biscuits
(aka: Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits)

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
¼ tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup shortening or butter
2/3 cup milk or buttermilk
1 egg
½ -1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup melted butter (optional)
¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)

Directions:
In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Cut in shortening/butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a bowl, whisk milk and egg. Add cheese to crumb mixture then stir wet ingredients into crumb mixture just until moistened. Drop by heaping spoonfuls 2 in. apart onto an un-greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Optional: Brush tops of biscuits with butter (optional garlic mixture).

Serve warm.