By JL Staff Dec. 10th, 2010

Food & Spirits: Harrah's Entertainment Atlantic City announced that Paula Deen, host of Food Network's "Paula's Best Dishes," has joined a team of prestigious chefs from around the country to host the second annual Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. The four-day festival is a partnership between Harrah's Entertainment, Food Network and Conde Nast Traveler and was held at all four Atlantic City properties, including Harrah's Resort, Caesars, Showboat & Bally's.

Paula Deen's southern flair has graced the homes of people across the country through her Food Network show and series of cookbooks, including Paula Deen and Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style, The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook, The Lady and Sons Too and The Lady and Sons Just Desserts. She began her business with a small catering company in Savannah, Ga., called The Bag Lady and in 1990 opened her critically-acclaimed restaurant The Lady and Sons.

Showcasing an array of national and local culinary talent including Guy Fieri, Sandra Lee, Sunny Anderson, Pat & Gina Neely, Ted Allen, Claire Robinson, Melissa d'Arabian, Anne Burrell and Alex Guarnaschelli, the festival included more than 40 lavish events including cooking demonstrations, wine and spirits seminars and walk-around tasting events.

"Paula Deen is the perfect addition to our talented line up of chefs for this year's Food and Wine Festival," said Don Marrandino, President Eastern Division Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. "We are so thrilled she is participating in the festival and I know her events will be big weekend highlights."

Conde Nast Traveler has long been considered the foremost expert in global travel and hospitality journalism. Their partnerships with Atlantic City further represent Harrah's Entertainment's commitment to providing one-of-a-kind signature events in Atlantic City showcasing the highest caliber talent while promoting the city as a unique and appealing destination.

For more information on the Annual Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival visit www.acfoodandwine.com .