Paula Deen is a self-made success story. She learned the secrets of southern cooking from her grandmother but had no idea that her love for grandma's Southern cooking would lead to a life-long career. But don't let her sweet, warm, down-home demeanor fool you. Behind that big smile and big hug personality lies one of the sharpest minds in food marketing. It all began with the need to support herself and her two sons. She moved from Albany to Savannah, Georgia, and started her own catering business called The Bag Lady, where she prepared fresh lunches to sell to downtown businesses and doctors' offices. She parlayed that into her own 42-seat restaurant called The Lady and Sons. In 1995, the restaurant was moved to downtown Savannah, where it's been ever since. She's written a series of successful cookbooks and stars in two television shows. Her cookbooks include Paula Deen and Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style, The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook, The Lady and Sons Too, The Lady and Sons Just Desserts, Paula Deen Celebrates, and Paula Deen: It Ain't All About the Cookin.' She also recently published Christmas with Paula Deen.

Paula brings a sunny personality, electric energy, and a southern touch to the Food Network with her show, "Paula's Home Cooking". She also shows her fun side on her second show, "Paula's Party". Her warmth and vitality make believers and friends out of everyone. Not since Julia Child has the public seen so much cooking with butter.

Her appearance at the IDDBA Show is sponsored by Smithfield Foods.