Senate Concurrent Resolution 587

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SALUTING PAUL'S PASTRY IN PICAYUNE, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE SOUTHERN LIVING MAGAZINE "KING CAKE FACEOFF 2015 CHAMPION."

WHEREAS, the best King Cake in NOLA isn't in NOLA, it isn't even in Louisiana. It is a short drive up Interstate 59, Exit 6, at Paul's Pastry Shop; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Living Magazine 2015 "King Cake Faceoff 2015 Champion" is Paul's Pastry in Picayune, Mississippi. It was a hard-fought battle. Eight king cakes entered, but only one could be crowned the champion. The real winners, of course, are all the folks who got to gobble down amazing king cakes during Mardi Gras 2015; and

WHEREAS, tell the folks in Picayune, Mississippi, that king cakes are strictly for Mardi Gras, and they're liable to shake their heads in pity for those of us who don't know any better. For them, any day is a good day to serve this pastry. Touted as "the biggest little bakery in South Mississippi," Paul's Pastry Shop brings this holiday treat to the Big Easy and beyond; and

WHEREAS, since the early 1970s, the Paul family has made cakes by hand with all-natural ingredients using an old family recipe. Currently running the cake kingdom is Sherri Paul-Thigpen, daughter of founders Harry and Shirley Paul. The shop is on State 43 North in Picayune, about 45 minutes from New Orleans. You'll know you're close when you smell the sweet scent of baking breads and cakes. Unlike larger bakeries in New Orleans, this Mississippi mom-and-pop store is where the filled king cake originated. Customers may choose from an assortment of more than 40 flavorful fillings, including Hawaiian Delight, Mississippi Mud, and Berry Deluxe. Yet it's their original cream cheese king cake that has made them a success. Paul's ships their cakes all over the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. As many as 2,500 a week go out to customers; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the restaurant and tourism industry in New Orleans in recognizing a local Mississippi business that has brought honor to the State of Mississippi as "Rex of King Cakes 2015":

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby salute Paul's Pastry in Picayune, Mississippi, as the Southern Living Magazine "King Cake Faceoff 2015 Champion," and extend our congratulations to the management and staff of this Southern Mississippi institution for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Paul family, forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Picayune, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.