Paula’s Birthday Party…The First Time We Met

Tweet
Pin It

Paula’s Birthday Party…The First Time We Met

By Libbie Summers, Food Editor

Paula reminded me the other day in her kitchen about the first time we met. I was standing before her, she said, like a drug dealer with a beautiful tray of butter poached lobster shooters…I remember it like it was yesterday. She said she ate six of the shooters…I remember she ate seven.

The day we met was Paula’s surprise 60th birthday party. I had been hired by Brandon Branch to style and cater the event. Her family had rented a “slightly aged” motor yacht that was going to cruise the Savannah River for three hours the night of her birthday with 30 guests and a band onboard. Myself and a team of four stylists, one reluctant boat cleaner (my husband) and a funky florist worked two days around the clock. We turned, what I must say if I can quote Carol Brady, a “broken down barnacle barge” into an ultra hip mid century club. Envision Georges Briard glassware, chocolate browns, chrome, leaf greens and animal hides. I was a little nervous about the menu, all Brandon told me was to do appetizers that Paula would love but were “different”. Okay, I can do “different”. My whole life is “different”. Here was the menu from that night 3 years ago this week. It was one of the best nights of my life. I thank Brandon for hiring me, the guests aboard for making it so fun, my wonderful staff of family and friends and those SEVEN butter poached lobster shooters!

Paula Deen 60th Birthday Party Menu:
January 19th, 2007
3 Hour Sunset Cruise on the Savannah River

Butter Poached Lobster Shooters
Shrimp Forks with Avocado and Bing Cherry Mash
Potato Baskets with a Tangy Horseradish crème Fraiche and American Caviar
Roasted Chicken Empanadas with a Salsa Verde/Orange Dipping Sauce
Scallop Burger Sliders with a Cilantro Lime Mayo
Avocado Goat Cheese Dip with Toasted Whole Wheat Pita Chips
Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip
Spicy Rosemary, Sea Salt and Chili Cashews and Almonds
Trays of Exotic Fruits
Petit Fours and Freshly Spun Gold Laced Cotton Candy

Eat Something Homemade,
Libbie

Let us know what your thinking. Drop us a note at foodeditor@pauladeen.com.

Read More From Holidays and Entertaining.

Read More From Birthdays.

Reader Comments:

I love you recipes,thank you dear Paula.

By Gabriel Gutierrez on November 12, 2011

It’s me again the Georgia Peach, I also had a “Surprise 60th birthday” in March, 2007! My family from Florida, Georgia and friends from all around were there. It was wonderful. I had been in Florida with my daddy, taking care of him all of 2006 he had cancer and died January, 2007. So that was really a great party just what I needed. Just wanted to share that with you. But this ain’t about me. I hope you had a wonderful birthday this year mine is coming up next month, 63, don’t know if I could take another big surprise party! YEAH I COULD. Love you Paula

By Jackie Butler on February 17, 2010

Happy Birthday!!!! Ihave been to your Lady and Sons for my birthday twice and enjoyed!!!!!!!May be we can come again. Hope you have many more.
Love to all!!!!
Donna

By Donna Futrell on January 24, 2010

Happy Bday Paula,mine is sat,the 30th,hahaha
going to make a cake and some nibbles,
love your recipes Paula.
thnxs,vicky

By vicky on January 23, 2010

A very Happy Birthday Paula. You are a true inspiration. I have all of your recipe books, your biography book, all your seasonings, aprons, etc. I have admired you since I read your biography. I sort of relate to all you went through. I wish you many, many more birthday!

By Anne Bennett on January 22, 2010

happy birthday and many more. we were born the same year. I think that is great. kay

By kay dow on January 22, 2010

happy Birthday, Paula! Watched your 2005 show today with past President Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter. What a wonderful show. You are a terrific inspiration and a terrific Mom.

By Mary Ann Micheals on January 22, 2010

Dear Paula,

Happy Birthday, albeit a belated one from a fellow Capricorn. My birthday is on January 8.

I love your show and try to watch as much as possible, when not working and taking care of my husband and three girls. I have always loved your way of explaining things as you cook and your liberal use of butter. My husband and I are transplanted southerners who have to come back “home” to get our fix of North Carolina BBQ. We have raised our girls on things such as grits, greens and sweet potato pie. I hope one day to make it to your restaurant to try some of your delicious food that I hear some many rave about on TV and online.

Take care and much love to you and your family.

By Sharon Mountain on January 22, 2010

I’m sorry I missed your big day Miss Paula. I hope your birthday was wonderful. Many more to you.

By Robin Burns on January 22, 2010

Happy Belated Birthday Paula, love you…

By Michael on January 22, 2010

HEY PAULA A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISH TO U. HOPE U HAVE MANY MORE WONDERFUL BIRTHDAYS. I LOVE TO WATCH U ON FOOD NETWORK. NEED SOME NEW SHOWS ON PAULA’S HOME COOKING.

By donna sharpe on January 21, 2010

Miss Paula, My brother, Billy, and I want to thank you for always making your show fun! We are young “chefs”! Billy is 5 and I am 6 1/2. We love to cook with Gran. We came to your restaurant (Gran & I) and I love your chicken and green beans. Billy wants Gran to bring him to your restaurant too! Granny says, “Someday”. Anyway, we just wanted to say have a great birthday. Maybe Gran will fix green beans this weekend! Yummy. We love you!

By Hannah & Billy Taylor (Granny too!) on January 21, 2010

Happy Birthday Paula. I hope that you had a great day and that you have many more birthdays.

By Shannon Phillips on January 21, 2010

Dear Libbie, Thank you SO MUCH for this fun and interesting article! I’m a very big fan of Paula’s and unfortunately, here where I live on Long Island, our cable company is in some kind of “price war” with Scripps Network which owns/controls The Food Network. Because of this dispute at midnight on New Year’s Eve, ALL the Food Network shows (including Paula’s) disappeared from our TV screens here on Long Island! YES, Libbie….We’re PAULA-LESS!! What a way to start the new year!! So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE keep these fun and informative articles COMING, O.K.?? Thanks Libbie!

By Ellen Lacho on January 21, 2010

A very Happy Birthday to an inspiring women! I just returned a couple of days ago from Savannah! This trip was my birthday gift from my husband. I got to enjoy your resturant, the tour, and Uncle Bubba’s! It was my Paula Deen gift and I thank you both for a wonderful time.

By Diana Sears on January 20, 2010

Happy Birthday Paula!
My birthday is today also. You are a wonderful inspiration and has greatly improved my cooking skills.

By Glaydas Lewis on January 19, 2010

Happy Birthday, Paula!

By Kathy Jordan on January 19, 2010

Happy Birthday, Paula! I wish you many more!!

By Kim on January 19, 2010

Happy Birthday Paula!!! I hope you have wonderful day.

By Angela on January 19, 2010

Dearest Paula,
Happy birthday Paula. I enjoy watching you on television several times daily. We have a lot in common, our birthdays are 18 days apart, mine is the 1st of Jan and I am sure that we were born in the same year 1947. You raised 2 sons and I raised
2 daughters alone after a divorce and then I met my soul mate too. I also own a restaurant with my brother, not as formal as yours but a sesonal one.
I have viewed your web site about yours and I hope that when I go to NC to visit my brother I hope that we can make the trip to Savanna to visit your restaurant. I wish you many more birthdays and shows on television.

By Peggy-Anne Oleskiewicz on January 19, 2010

Happy Birthday Paula, you make a rainy day sunny with your bright smile and happy laugh. Can’t wait to meet you Sunday on the Solstice, till then
Happy Birthday
Mary

By Mary Costa on January 19, 2010

Pauladeen.com

Paula’s Birthday Party…The First Time We Met