Making it divalicious

Jackie reinvented the dinner show.

“I decided if people wanted a ‘dinner show,’ I would give them one. And the critical difference between my show, and the dinner shows and dinner theater I’d been to in the past was the food. It was not going to be the churned out, mediocre slop masquerading as food that you get more often than not at this type of show. It was going to be well thought out, lovingly prepared, delicious food. I’d make sure of it by overseeing it from conception to consumption myself. By designing the menu, developing the recipes, training the sous chefs, and tasting everything along the way, I could make sure the final product was fantastic. I’d call it ‘eatertainment’ and I would make food a integral part of the show’s entertainment as well.”

Jackie’s debut “eatertainment” show, “The Fried Chicken Theory According to Jackie Gordon,” featured an evening of sweet soul music and sultry soul food. Guests thoroughly indulged in a three-course feast for the senses. It started with a choice of gumbos backed by a heavenly gospel choir, followed by a fried chicken with all the fixin’s buffet, underscored by a swinging jazz sextet, and a finale of platters of southern sweets set to Jackie’s heart-ripping classic soul music with her eight-piece band. Between the food and the music, Jackie told amusing stories that actually entertained and even educated the audience about the history of food and music.

“It was a huge success. Tabasco and Melbourne-based Eat More Poultry sponsored it. The crowds loved it! They ate well, were thoroughly entertained and even learned a thing or two.”

“The Fried Chicken Theory According to Jackie Gordon” has been produced numerous times for the public and for corporate events. Jackie returned to New York and launched her new business, Divalicious, Inc., in February 2003. Her first U.S. eatertainment show, “sayCHEESE!,” debuted at the West Bank Cafe—Laurie Beechman on 42nd Street in April 2004.