Paula Deen Ventures announced Monday that the Queen of Southern Cuisine, Paula Deen, will embark on a 20-show nationwide tour this year. “Paula Deen Live!” will be an entertaining and interactive ninety-minute show featuring Paula demonstrating how to make her favorite seasonal dishes, including new recipes featuring Springer Mountain Farms chicken. For the first time ever, fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with Paula on stage and taste her delicious Southern creations. Paula and her husband, Michael, will share personal stories and engage the audience in cooking and games.

“I cannot wait to get on the road and meet so many of my amazing fans during these shows. From cooking up some of my favorite dishes to bringing fans on stage with me – it’s going to be an absolute thrill!” said Paula Deen.

“This is an exciting time to create “Paula Deen Live!” These unique, one-of-a-kind events will let Paula interact with fans across America who love her sense of humor and down-to-earth Southern charm,” said Gordon Elliot, Paula’s longtime producer, Executive Producer of “Paula Deen Live!” and creator of The Chew on ABC.

The first two shows kick off on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 in Pigeon Forge, TN where Paula is also opening Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen; a restaurant and retail operation which is scheduled to open late Summer 2014.

Dates for the first seven “Paula Deen Live!” shows are as follows. An additional 13 shows will be announced shortly.

• Saturday, June 21 – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at LeConte Center
• Sunday, June 22 – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at LeConte Center
• Wednesday, August 6 – San Antonio, Texas, at Majestic Theatre
• Friday, August 8 – Savannah, Georgia, at Lucas Theatre
• Friday, August 15 – Savannah, Georgia, at Lucas Theater
• Tuesday, August 26 – Atlanta, Georgia, at Woodruff Arts Center
• Wednesday, August 27 – Nashville, Tennessee, at TPAC – Andrew Jackson Hall 

VIP experiences, including reception with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, meet-and-greets, photograph opportunities, gift bags and VIP seating for each show will be available for purchase.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster on Thursday, May 1 at 10 a.m. ET. For more information, go to www.pauladeen.com/schedule

Springer Mountain Farms is a sponsor of “Paula Deen Live!”