Paula Deen and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians announced plans to open Paula Deen's Family Kitchen at OWA – a world-class entertainment destination in Foley, Alabama. OWA, located minutes from Coastal Alabama's sugar white beaches, is the newest and largest entertainment destination in the Southeast. The resort spans 520 acres and includes a 21 ride amusement park, an indoor arcade, a 150-room Marriott TownePlace Suites, 16 outdoor Sports Fields, 65,000 sq. ft. indoor Event Center, and 168,000 sq. ft. of retail and dining opportunities. The addition of Paula Deen's Family Kitchen will afford even more opportunities to take in OWA's picturesque lakeside views all while enjoying a delicious Southern style meal.

"OWA has continued to build upon its vision of creating an authentic southern resort by sourcing top notch shopping, dining and entertainment experiences," said Greg Rawls, Director of Business Development for Creek Indian Enterprises/OWA.  He continued, "Adding a family-style restaurant to OWA's ever expanding lineup creates even more excitement for our guests. From the 6+ million annual leisure travelers and sports teams to our ever supportive locals, Paula Deen's Family Kitchen delivers quality food, service, and experience at a great value that everyone can enjoy."

"I'm so looking forward to teaming up with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Phoenix Hospitality & Entertainment to bring the newest Paula Deen's Family Kitchen to my fans living in or visiting Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley, Alabama," said Deen. "Everyone in my family just loves going to the beach and participating in the family entertainment at OWA. Together we will provide a truly memorable experience for folks who enjoy delicious Southern comfort food, family vacations and great entertainment." 

OWA is one of the diverse business holdings of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Alabama's only federally recognized Tribe.  Poarch's Chairwoman and CEO Stephanie Bryan noted, "We have always believed that fun, family and great food are the recipe for a wonderful vacation experience. It is exciting that one of the South's most famous restaurateurs is now part of the OWA experience and I know that our visitors will really enjoy getting to actually taste her special food that they have seen in cookbooks and on TV."

Paula Deen's Family Kitchen exemplifies traditional Southern hospitality and brings her famous family recipes, including Paula Deen's Southern Fried Chicken, to the restaurant table. "I have selected my favorite recipes to serve to my guests' family-style in an atmosphere just like my home.  It's all you can eat, so come hungry y'all!" said Deen. The Foley restaurant is the latest announcement in a rapidly growing expansion of the Paula Deen's Family Kitchen brand, which also has locations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Fairview, Texas and San Antonio, Texas. 

The restaurant will be accompanied by a retail store featuring items that have been hand-selected by Paula Deen to reflect her gracious taste and Savannah's rich cultural heritage. Many of her favorite products will only be found in the retail store inside of Paula Deen's Family Kitchen restaurants.

Phoenix Hospitality & Entertainment and its subsidiary, PD Restaurants, LLC, bring more than 150 years of collective experience in the restaurant, hospitality and entertainment worlds to this special project in Foley, Alabama.

"We are confident that the consistent high-quality food and service of Paula Deen's Family Kitchen will be warmly embraced year around by the regional visitors and sports teams as well as residents of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley, Alabama alike," said Rajat Shah, founder and CEO of Phoenix Hospitality & Entertainment.