Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City is proud to welcome back America's favorite Southern Belle, Paula Deen to the Fourth Annual Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival, commencing Thursday, July 26, with events throughout the weekend. Ms. Deen rejoins the festival to share her delicious southern cooking for the second year with the world's most renowned chefs, icons, TV personalities, experts and guests. Her last appearance with the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival was in the summer of 2010. Ms. Deen joins arguably one of the strongest lineups to date, including Anne Burrell, Tyler Florence, Nadia G, Robert Irvine, Buddy Valastro and Andrew Zimmern. Ms. Deen enjoys one of her most successful partnerships with Caesars Entertainment, with her four signature restaurants at various Caesars properties; Paula Deen's Kitchens at Harrah's Joliet, Harrah's Cherokee and Paula Deen Buffets at Harrah's Tunica and Horseshoe Indiana. The event, which sells-out annually and is the largest food and wine festival in the market, takes place across all four Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City casinos and resorts - Caesars, Harrah's Resort, Showboat & Bally's.

"It's an honor to welcome Paula Deen back to Atlantic City for this year's Food & Wine Festival," said Jennifer Weissman, Regional Vice President of Marketing for Caesars Entertainment. "With her magnetic personality and warm spirit, Paula is a great partner of ours with her restaurants at our properties across the country and she has always been a fan favorite of Caesars Entertainment guests. We know festival goers are going to be elated by her return."

"I look forward to spending time at this wonderful festival at the Caesars properties in Atlantic City," comments author, restaurateur and TV host Paula Deen . "It's really special for Michael and I to be a part of such a wonderful event, and we look forward to bringing some Southern love to all of our friends at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival."

Ms. Deen will host two events throughout the festival, HOB Gospel Brunch and Chef in Restaurant, bringing her one-of-a-kind personality, culinary expertise and mouthwatering southern dishes. Ms. Deen will also make special appearances at other events throughout the weekend including Blues, Brews & BBQ and Sweet & Stylish, among others. Guests will also have the opportunity to get an up close and personal experience with the chef who undoubtedly is known for her southern charm at her book signing event at Caesars.

The eclectic group of top culinary guests doesn't stop at famous names as the 2012 Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival will also showcase wine, beer and spirits experts such as Gary Monterosso and Michael Green and Caesars Entertainment's top in-house culinary talents. The festival will offer local and visiting gourmands access to more than 30 events such as cooking demonstrations, wine and spirits seminars, and casual tasting events.

This year Caesars Entertainment has partnered with local charity, The Community Food Bank of New Jersey, to be the official charity sponsor of The Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. The community Food Bank of New Jersey fights hunger and poverty by distributing food and groceries, providing education and training and developing new programs to help low income individuals meet their basic needs. As a non-profit organization, The Community Food Bank of New Jersey acts as the central food distribution center for other non-profits in New Jersey that serve individuals including local soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters.