Dozens of locals and tourists from locations including Alabama and Illinois flocked to The Lady & Sons restaurant on Wednesday for a chance to meet the most famous brothers in Savannah, Jamie and Bobby Deen.
The brothers were on hand to sign memorabilia including books to aprons and pose for pictures with their fans.
“Folks could bring in a spare tire and I’d be happy to sign it,” Jamie Deen joked.
In town since Sunday, Jean Pearman from Arab, Ala., came to the book signing — like others — to show her support for the Deen family in the wake of a national furor over Paula Deen’s acknowledged use of the “N” word nearly 30 years ago.
“When everything came out, I thought, she’s not the only one to say something like that. Everyone in their life has. I’d just like to say ‘hi’ to them and let them know we support them from Alabama,” Pearson said. “And to get my tote bag signed so I can rub it in my son-in-law’s face. He’s a big Deen fan.”
Sharing Pearson’s sentiment was longtime Deen fan Sandy Bangert, from west-central Illinois.
“We’ve eaten at The Lady & Sons, and it was fabulous. We’ll be back to eat there again, absolutely. She’s someone I wanted to support, and I think people need to support her even more now that everything is over,” Bangert said.
Paula Deen didn’t make an appearance, but a select group of fans were treated to a surprise telephone call from the celebrity chef that brought cheers and even a few tears from the crowd.
“Hey y’all, I just want to make sure my boys were taking good care of y’all and that they’re behaving,” Deen told the crowd. “I can’t begin to thank everyone enough for your support.”
And there was no doubt the Deen brothers felt that support.
“I feel like the amount of support we had a year ago was there 10 years ago and will be there 10 years from now. We don’t think we have fans. We feel like we have distant cousins,” Jamie Deen said. “Everyone is happy and healthy. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
And the brothers have a lot to look forward to. Bobby is in talks to begin work on his second book, while Jamie is in talks with Food Network for a re-order of his series “Home for Dinner with Jamie Deen.”
His first solo cookbook “Jamie Deen’s Good Food” is slated for release Sept. 19.