Paula Deen's Homestyle Grocery Store Products

First, there was this press release:
http://www.advfn.com/news_Synergy-Brands-Announces-Celebrity-Cook-Paula-Deen-Signs-Off-On-Licensing-Agreem_39510234.html
Then, this writer for the Buffalo News: 
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/hungryformore/2010/08/great-moments-in-food-pr-paula-deen-flour-in-a-box.html 
 
Some of these products turned up at Big Lots. A number of seasonings, including Cajun Seasoning. All the seasonings are made in China:
http://www.advfn.com/news_Synergy-Completes-Its-Relocation-of-Spice-Manufacturing-Operations-to-Tianjin-C_40186836.html
But I decided to take one for the team and try her "Mashed Potatoes, Skins N' All". $1.95 for a 13 oz package. Makes 12 1/2 cup servings. The front of the box states 'From My Kitchen To Yours'. The ingredients include dried potatoes, enriched wheat flour, modified food starch, dried potato peels, vegetable shortening powder, and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. The potatoes are tasty and pasty. They remind me of the mashed potatoes that come with Swanson frozen dinners. The closest national brand product I can think of is Betty Crocker Homestyle Creamy Butter. 
Its amazing what exposure on the Food Network is worth.
Edited to remove reference to FF mashed potatoes.

She's building her Empire. She also has opened several restaurants in Indian Casinos along with her Pots & Pans, Cookbooks and other stuff!

I did a review of our two visits to the Horseshoe Casino, when Paula Deen's organization had taken over the Buffet service...and done a pretty good job with the improvements. They also have a 'Gift Shoppe' by the entrance to the Buffet. It reminded me of an oversized Cracker Barrel Lobby full of 'Quaint' Homey stuff.
Deen's business  ventures also include a line of furniture that has been featured in several of the Louisville area furniture stores. Not Ethan Allen for sure, but a couple of steps above Value-City and Wally World. I guess I would call it the Redneck IKEA !!!

WOW, flour in a box, what will they think of next. I guess they missed the press release when ziploc bags came out................

I saw an ad for a company called American Mattress that now has the Paula Deen Collection of mattresses. Ack.

Integrity.  So rare it's a gaddam super power.

Selling her name to inferior products?
 
Guess it's all about the money.

mar52


Selling her name to inferior products?

Guess it's all about the money.

Mar, I believe Paula Deen would sell her toenail clippings if she thought she could...you'd need to check the packaging, if she did, for the Made in China tag!

I'm amazed at how this woman and her advisors have made her into a  - well - what she is today.  Don't get me wrong - for a few years after she began on the FN she was a firecracker - great presentation and some really good recipes.
 
Then came the commercialization  and we've been bombarded with cookware, candles, magazines, condiments - and that's all I've really been able to look at - although I've heard of more.
Enough.
 

I have some sympathy for her personally. She had a really rough go of it just 20 years ago. Broke, 'Abandoned', and selling sandwiches in offices for a living.  I'd say we are seeing an over reaction to not liking being poor.  Sometimes good judgement falls by the wayside when the emotions steer a persons work ethic.
 
Hopefully she is finding happiness in the financial success.
I do like Lady and Sons, and now have found the local Casino Buffet that is run by her company to be quite good also.  I won't bother with the 'name-brand' furniture.

mayor al


I have some sympathy for her personally. She had a really rough go of it just 20 years ago. Broke, 'Abandoned', and selling sandwiches in offices for a living.  I'd say we are seeing an over reaction to not liking being poor.  Sometimes good judgement falls by the wayside when the emotions steer a persons work ethic.

Hopefully she is finding happiness in the financial success.
I do like Lady and Sons, and now have found the local Casino Buffet that is run by her company to be quite good also.  I won't bother with the 'name-brand' furniture.

e

 
Well said. I agree. While Lady and Sons is touristy the food can be quite good. And it must be hard not to go fo more and more dollars when people stand in line in all kinds of weather to give her lots of dollars. Those who like her food should also check out her brothers restaurant Uncle Bubbas. ten minutes from Lady and Sons and not nearly as crowded.