House Resolution 52

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING PAUL'S PASTRY SHOP IN PICAYUNE, MISSISSIPPI, ON BEING NAMED THE 2015 SOUTHERN LIVING KING CAKE FACEOFF CHAMPION.

WHEREAS, the best king cake served along the shores of New Orleans and throughout the otherwise competent bakeries occupying the French Quarter is in fact not made in New Orleans, nor is it baked within the established Louisiana boundaries, rather it is prepared in a small bakery nestled along Interstate 59 corridor off of Exit 6, known as Paul's Pastry Shop, which is touted by fans as "the biggest little bakery in South Mississippi"; and

WHEREAS, birthed in the early 1970's by confection visionaries Harry and Shirley Paul, this quaint Mississippi sugar haven initiated a King Cake Revolution throughout the continental United States when they began filling their king cakes with an assortment of fruits and cream cheese, then topping them with brightly colored Mardi Gras sugars and sliced almonds, thus beginning a new yet scrumptious tradition of the Mardi Gras King Cake; and

WHEREAS, considered by all who have sampled the delightfully delectable treats served at the small mom and pop bakery in Picayune, Mississippi, as one of the greatest treasures situated within the borders of the Magnolia State, Paul's Pastry Shop prepared an exquisite king cake that defeated eight other bakeries to receive the revered title of the Southern Living 2015 King Cake Faceoff Champion; and

WHEREAS, the King Cake Faceoff Championship was a heated pastry battle complete with delicious sugar, exotic spices and flavorful recipes, yet the decadent creation Paul's Pastry Shop pulled out of the oven and placed on the judges' table was unlike any other, as its sweet aromas engulfed the room and literally caused the mouths of all who entered the contest to salivate in anticipation for victory, but left having only tasted defeat; and

WHEREAS, for over 40 years, the Paul family has prepared batter, sliced fruit and perfected techniques, becoming masters in the kitchen, and throughout all of their test-tastings, late nights and victorious championship cook-offs, these hard-working dough punchers and pastry makers have always hand-made their wonderful cakes with all natural ingredients using an old family recipe; and

WHEREAS, not surprisingly, the secret of Paul's Pastry's exquisite cream-filled Mardi Gras King Cake could have never stayed south of the Mason Dixon Line, and because the news of its creation spread like wildfire, Paul's special king cake with its appetizing zing is now also savored in those parts of the world that are not known to celebrate Mardi Gras, a fact that is evidenced by the UPS driver's frequent trips to Paul's Pastry Shop, as each week, at least 2,500 of their cakes are shipped all over the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, to starving customers who have tasted the deliciousness and hunger for more; and

WHEREAS, baking, cooking, serving and pleasing the citizens of Picayune, Mississippi, is a time-honored Paul family tradition, and the current culinary genius running the renowned cake kingdom is Sherri Paul Thigpen, the daughter of founders, Harry and Shirley Paul; and

WHEREAS, the sweet fragrance of baking breads and cakes has drawn many travelers off of their course of travel and out of their way to make a stop at Paul's Pastry Shop, and while customers may choose from a tempting variety of more than 40 flavorful fillings, including Hawaiian Delight, Mississippi Mud, and Berry Deluxe, their taste buds continually desire Paul's original cream cheese king cake, the delicatessen that truly has made and continues to make Paul's Pastry Shop an overwhelming success; and

WHEREAS, while Paul's Pastry Shop received the coveted championship crown, the real winners are the local citizens in Picayune, Mississippi, and the incredibly fortunate tourists who have the opportunity to devour the sensational king cakes whipped up at Paul's Pastry Shop not only during the Mardi Gras season but any time during the year that craving for something sweet and heavenly strikes; and

WHEREAS, as thousands of king cakes are consumed at parties every year in Louisiana and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the cultural gumbo of European tradition, spiced with more than a dash of local flavor, that gives way to today's Mardi Gras, has evolved into an American phenomenon unique to the Gulf Coast Region, and Paul's Pastry Shop plans to continue their tradition of making a quality product for their customers near and far to enjoy; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of local Mississippi businesses that have made such an indelible impression on the restaurant and tourism industries by receiving such a prestigious honor and bestowing an overwhelming sense of pride upon this Magnolia State, as evidenced by the achievements of Paul's Pastry Shop:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Paul's Pastry Shop in Picayune, Mississippi, on being named the Southern Living 2015 King Cake Faceoff Champion, and extend most sincere wishes for the continued success of this fine Southern Mississippi institution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Paul family, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Picayune, Mississippi, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.