After the Press Conference we were sent to the Diamond Lounge at Grand to have one on one interview with Paula Deen. How exciting! I was last and glad. Each media person walked away saying they had never had such a fun interview. You could tell too because of all the laughter. One writer said, “I have never had so much fun at a press conference ever…”

During my wait “to be next” I was privileged to meet Karl Schumacher, Paula’s CFO.

He has worked for Paula for something like 16 years.  Karl was telling me how at the restaurant in Savannah everyone gets a plate of Hoe Cakes and each table has a bottle of maple syrup.  He said in the new buffet at Harrah’s not only will they have the maple syrup on the tables but they will have an open grill and people can watch them make the Hoe cakes.  Cool huh?

Also he was saying they, being Paula Deen Enterprises, has had so many offers thru the years to open another restaurant.  But, they have declined all offers. Paula and Michael felt it was hard enough to run what they had, living near the restaurant, they couldn’t even imagine having to run one miles from home, until Harrah’s. Seems Paula Deen Enterprises and Harrah’s Entertainment have the same goals and are on the same wave length. Karl said they were excited about the partnership.

The chefs and cooking staff of Harrah’s / Grand will go to Savannah for training.
Plus Paula and her staff will be in Tunica off and on to make sure “things are right” for a year.

As Paula said “When I say it is delicious, I want you to think it is delicious too”.

Meeting Karl was a delight. I left thinking hmmm wish I had a CFO like Karl.

 My turn came and I asked Paula if maybe we could sit at a table instead of the sofa, because I am a kitchen table kinda person.  Plus I write better at a table than my lap.

She was relieved and we began what I will always remember as one interview I will never publish. I took no notes. We just sat and talked about everything.  For the next 20 minutes plus, we laughed, we almost cried (just wet eyes), we whined, we rejoiced, we had a sisterhood moment.  Her crew was telling her time was running out and neither of us had finished all we had to share.  She told them to just wait a minute she found a new best  friend. I felt the same way.  We promised to keep each other’s secrets and I had to reassure her I had no hidden tape recorder and she knew I had not written one word.
We laughed and she said she would just say “Jen’s a Liar”.

After all, the only thing I can retain is fluid these days. My interview with Paula Deen was a true gift. One I will remember for a long time.

As she walked away she said “See ya tonight”. Then I thought Oh my goodness! Tonight? I had no ticket and it was a sell out crowd.  Again I was blessed as one of the fantastic Harrah’s team found me one.  I was sweating that one.  Thanks Harrah’s.

The Grand Event Center was packed! Total Sell out! Rightfully so as Paula Deen puts on a show.  The two hour event consisted of about 10 minutes cooking and the rest was like she was in your kitchen visiting or a stand up comedy act, depending on how you perceived it.  Any way you look at it my face was hurting from laughing so much.

Husband, Michael, joined Paula on stage.  The two make quiet a pair.  When they are together they emit joy and happiness.  You can tell they are truly “made” for each other.

Paula took questions from the audience.  Her southern politeness was tested as one lady at first was full of compliments and told Paula how beautiful she was but then began to tell her a recipe was wrong and she needed to change it.  Paula was open to suggestions and was willing to see what she had to say.  Well the rest of the audience was sitting there in a dead silence with their mouth open wondering how this woman had the gall to tell the Queen of Butter she had a recipe all wrong.  Well there was no stopping the woman in the audience.  You know how some people can be given a chance to tell someone they are wrong……and there’s no stopping them. You got it.  Finally Paula had been pushed to the edge and come to find out they were talking about two different recipes.  Paula stopped and just said. Bitch Bitch Bitch! The crowd roared.

An over zealous, bubbly young man just had to hug Paula and tell her what a big fan he was.  He proceeded to tell her he watches her on TV everyday and is so consumed with her he can’t keep a job.  Paula stood back looked at him and said “ Don’t you use me like that! Get a Job!”.

Paula so graciously accepted letters and gifts from several fans ages 6-60. There is just something about Paula Deen that makes her audiences love her.  If you have watched her shows or read any of her books “you get it”.

Michael and Paula’s agent were urged by Paula to make Double Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake.  Michael tried to be cooperative, it was hilarious.  I won’t tell all as you need to see the show if you missed it.  Hopefully Harrah’s will have her back soon.  Everyone in the audience did get a sample of the mouth watering cake.

During the show a drawing was held for a free Viking Stove.  A lady named Margaret won it and was thrilled as she was building a new house and she needed a new stove.

In the picture here Paula is autographing a cardboard stove for the winner as Michael tries to hold it still.

Paula raised her right hand and professed to the audience she was a slot slut.  Earlier during the day between the press conference and the show she and Michael hit the high limit slots. She admitted to winning one jackpot of $60,000. (A lady told me she actually one 3, another one being at $40,000) Michael said pots and slots were a natural with Paula.  Michael also murmured something about only 3 hours sleep. We all know that feeling when we visit the casinos.  We forget bed time.

Here’s a picture of a picture of a picture of one of Paula’s wins.

The lady is dynamite.  I don’t know how she keeps her schedule. Tuesday morning was a press conference, Tuesday night a show, then to the airport to fly to New York to do the Today Show Wednesday, then to Georgia for a taping on Thursday and she was leaving Friday for a Paula Deen Cruise with her fans and family.

One thing is for sure Paula Deen is a very special lady.  To start out packing and selling bag lunches to jetting around the country with an entourage of seven people.  She continues to help her viewers make that “special dish” or “special occasion”.  But most of all she gives women hope and inspiration,,,,, not to forget... a lot of  laughs.