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| Paula Deen with Tommy McFly |
by contributor Brendan Kownacki
It was a packed house of fun and flavor at the Washington Convention Center over the weekend for the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show.
Dozens of exhibitors showcased their products on multiple stages and hosted cooking demos. Among the presenting chefs were James Beard Award winners and local chefs that included Next Food Network Star contestant Mary Beth Albright who served up a beef stir fry.
The main stage was host to a parade of celebrity chefs including Giada de Laurentiis, Guy Fieri and the queen of southern cuisine, Paula Deen.
Deen delighted the crowd with stories about her family, recipes and her signature decadent approach to comfort food.
"I don't like prissy food," she said of her approach to cooking. Deen shared that when in the District, one of her favorite dining spots is Art and Soul by chef Art Smith. "[He has a] nice twist on southern food."
Fans reacted with shouts of "I love you" to the mothering chef.
Also on hand was 94.7 Fresh FM host Tommy McFly who had a chance to catch up with Deen after her show. She did an interview with McFly on the morning show earlier in the week and said "I thought you'd be older and heavier" upon meeting the radio host.
The flavorful day sent everyone off with, as Paula said, "best dishes."
