A joint book signing with the Queen of Southern Cuisine, Paula Deen, and Savannah-based private chef and author Rebekah Faulk Lingenfelser, took place recently at The Lady and Sons, Deen’s flagship restaurant which has been an iconic eatery in Savannah for more than 30 years. 

“I absolutely adore helping the next woman pass it on,” Deen said during the event, which drew fans from New York, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and around the country. 

Lingenfelser connected with Deen while writing her new book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Savannah, but she has been a fan of Deen’s for many years, crediting Deen with teaching her the art of Southern, coastal cuisine. The event comes on the heels of Lingenfelser’s graduation from Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Institute of Savannah and the sixth anniversary of her Food Network Star debut. The author of Some Kinda Good and Unique Eats and Eateries of Savannah, Lingenfelser has had many culinary instructors, but next to her mom and grandma, she says Paula Deen has been her favorite.

“The first time I ever made shrimp and grits, it was Paula’s recipe,” said Lingenfelser. “While writing the book, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Paula over a slice of ooey gooey butter cake and a cup of coffee at her dining room table, and she shared her inspiring story with me,” Lingenfelser said. “Paula paved the way for women like me in food media and culinary entertainment, and I am so grateful for her generosity and kindness in introducing me to her fans and inviting me to cook with her on YouTube. I will never forget standing in her kitchen or being in the seat next to a living legend.” 

Unique Eats and Eateries of Savannah features more than 80 of the city’s food establishments, showcasing the people and stories behind the food, including The Lady and Sons on page 34. It is the newest local interest book in a national series published by Reedy Press, and is available in the Paula Deen Retail Store in Savannah or wherever books are sold. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit RebekahLingenfelser.com.