Paula Deen has been up and Paula Deen has been down.
Right now, Savannah’s best-known chef is down about 40 pounds.
And the best-selling cookbook author was really up on Friday afternoon, enjoying the best day of her Florida book tour with a stop at Barnes & Noble at Lake Sumter Landing. Watch video of Deen’s visit here:
Deen warmly greeted her long line of adorning fans who stood 350 deep, snaking through the rows of shelves at the book store. There were plenty of “Baby,” “Sugar” and “Darling” greetings for the fans who literally screamed with glee when Deen appeared in the store to sign copies of her new book, “Paula Deen Cuts the Fat.”
Bethany Boston, a physical therapist with Kindred at Home in The Villages, was the first in line, still wearing her scrubs from work. In December, Boston and her husband held their wedding reception at Deen’s restaurant in Savannah. They didn’t get the chance to see Deen, so Boston wasn’t going to miss her again.
“I just love her,” Boston said.
Peter Cakmis of the Village of Belle Aire, has been a Paula Deen fan, through thick and thin.
He had written Deen a note of encouragement a few years ago after she concealed a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis and became embroiled in a racial controversy. At the time, Deen responded with a personal note and autographed photo. Cakmis brought those items to Deen’s book signing and the two shared an emotional moment.
“I think she is a wonderful, wonderful lady,” he said.
Barnes & Noble sold out of Deen’s books and a reserve supply the author brought along was soon depleted. The books that had been put up as a background display for the event, were soon taken down and sold.
All the way at the back of the line stood Kimberly Carfield of Oxford and her two-month-old baby Makenzie. Carfield had come to Deen’s booksigning for her sister, Jessica Watts of Lady Lake. Watts was sick and couldn’t make it.
“My sister loves Paula Deen and watches her every day,” Carfield said. “I love her, too. I had to be here. I had no idea there would be this many people here. It’s crazy.”
