From the moment Food Network star Pat Neely danced onto the stage, he and wife Gina served up an hour of Southern-fried food and fun, liberally spiced with their trademark flirtation, at Sunday's She expo.
The Memphis couple and Jillian Michaels, the tough trainer on "The Biggest Loser," were featured celebrities during the two-day She: An Expo for Women, sponsored by the Chattanooga Times Free Press. More than 160 vendors' booths were set up in the Chattanooga Convention Center offering health information, makeovers, jewelry, samples of new products and services.
Jason Taylor, president and general manager of the newspaper, estimated 2,600 guests visited the expo Sunday.
The Neelys have become hosts of their own cable TV shows, "Down Home with the Neelys" and "Road Tasted With the Neelys," in just over two years since being discovered by Paula, Jamie and Bobby Deen.
Mr. Neely and brothers Gaelin, Tony and Mark were first known for the barbecue restaurant they opened in downtown Memphis in 1988. Mr. Neely said the family now operates two restaurants in Memphis, two in Nashville (one of which is in the Nashville airport) and seven concession stands in Memphis' NBA arena, and they've written a best-selling cookbook.
"What you see on the show is who we are," said Mrs. Neely to their audience of about 500 people. "We've never had culinary training; we just learned from grandmother and mama."
The couple whipped up hushpuppy batter, which they fried along with catfish filets, while keeping up a nonstop banter with their audience as they answered questions. The personable pair worked like a standup act, feeding each other straight lines as often as samples from the dishes.
"Cooking is a great expression to show how much you love someone," Mrs. Neely told the audience.
"Guys, you'll have a lot more fun going into the kitchen with your wife than the Golf Channel will ever do for you," added Mr. Neely.
Kelli Pierson and 7-year-old daughter Stephanie arrived at the Convention Center at 9:30 a.m. to be first in line for a meet-and-greet with the Food Network stars.
"I like their sense of family, the way they love each other," Mrs. Pierson said. "They are so genuine and down to earth. I really relate to that."
"They're all about family and food," said Teri Kelley, who attended the expo with her daughter, April.
Sisters Mary Johnson Jackson, Lisa Johnson Jones, Lanetta Johnson Derrick and Pamela L. Johnson said they came to the expo specifically to see the Neelys.
"They were everything we thought they'd be and more," Ms. Derrick said.
In an interview with the Times Free Press, Ms. Neely said they are working on a cookbook expected to be released in early 2011.
"It's going to be an entertainment book, but not your traditional entertaining," she teased.
"People in the South tend to celebrate the traditional holidays, but how about some 'minimoons'?" Mr. Neely gave as an example.
"When you don't have time for a full honeymoon, you make a minimoon. It's an evening that we turn into a celebration; that's how we keep our marriage going," he said.
When asked about the possibility of a Neelys restaurant being launched in Chattanooga, Mr. Neely said, "Gina and I have seen so many blessings from God in our lifetime. I won't ever say never, but we've learned to take things as opportunities come to us and enjoy the ride along the way."
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