Correction: This article has been updated since its original posting to correct an error. Gina Neely is not a Food Network Star winner. 225 regret this error.
The new Hollywood Casino Celebrity Chef series kicks off with best-selling author and Food Network TV star Gina Neely this Saturday, March 19.
The Down Home With the Neelys star will host an eat-and-greet event at Hollywood Casino, plus an invitation-only VIP dinner at the casino’s Celebrity Grill.
The eat-and-greet opens with an appetizer tasting featuring two dishes prepared by Hollywood Casino chefs, both within the $7-10 range at an average restaurant. Neely will then host a step-by-step cooking demo of the same plates. The idea is to show patrons that even some of the nicest cuisine is affordable and can be made at home, Neely says.
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Neely says she is excited for her debut in Baton Rouge, adding with a laugh that she hopes the Southern hospitality is as strong as it has been on social media.
“I’ve had fans message and post that they’re so excited for me to come to Baton Rouge,” she says. “I just want to give them what they give me. I’m excited to visit Baton Rouge and have fun and eat and laugh.”
Events like these are the best way to show the average person that cooking like a “celebrity chef” is more attainable than it seems, Neely says. The Food Network star says she looks forward to live events more than any other part of her career.
“I love being able to meet fans, talk to them, give them tips,” she says. “It makes the whole event warm and fuzzy and a lot of fun.”
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The cooking demo will close out with a Q&A session and autographs.
Bite & Booze frontman and recent Food Network Star finalist Jay Ducote will host the kickoff event and says he hopes to host more as they are planned.
Ducote says he and Neely will interact with the audience throughout the event.
The eat-and-greet is open to the public and begins at 2 p.m. Advance tickets aren’t required, but only the first 400 guests will be admitted. To be entered in a raffle to attend the VIP dinner, dine at the Celebrity Grill anytime until Friday, March 18.