After catching her chat, I noticed fans started taking pictures with Paula Deen's carboard cut-out. Feeling goofy, I posed for one and then headed to the Barilla tent for some delicious pasta and a much desired spot on a chair to munch on it.

Feeling tired, I decided maybe it was best to end things at the Grand Tasting Village. Having spent four hours there, I realized I had enjoyed myself but was still famished and could not stomach another ounce of wine. Good times, but it was time to close the weekend.

To bad I had to end it by getting a fever of 100 degrees...but hey, I had fun! And these events only come once a year.

Some advice to future Grand  Tasting visitors:

--Wear sunscreen

--Eat before you step inside

--Have lots of water

--Carry some anti-bacterial hand lotion

--Have fun!

Now, it's time to rest. 

--Aurora Rodriguez

Photo by Sebastian Dominguez