Newsletter – Issue 03
A.J. Brown captures Paula Deen’s down-home Southern flair with this unique upscale buffet.
A.J. Brown Brings Paula Deen’s Southern Charm to Hotel Buffet
A.J. Brown recently finished renovations on an appetizing project—bringing the Queen of Southern Cuisine, Paula Deen’s culinary vision and charm to life at popular hotel and gaming giant, Harrah’s in Tunica, Mississippi.
Extensive renovation on the existing buffet began with a trip to the Food Network star’s Georgia home, the setting for her popular TV show. The goal was to incorporate the themes derived from her family’s multiple restaurants into a cohesive, but unique setting.
The challenge was completing this detail-oriented project in just three months. A.J. Brown worked diligently to bring the star’s Southern flair to the 560-seat, cutting-edge restaurant modeled after her home. Extensive renovation included six serving stations each named after a Deen family member or restaurant. A.J. Brown successfully completed this unique, upscale buffet just in time for hungry fans.
This bustling 24-hour casino and bar is 140,000 square feet of non-stop action.
A.J. Brown Transforms Outdated Casino Into Ultimate Nightlife Destination
A.J. Brown recently completed renovation on the 140,000 square foot casino and Sphere Bar located at Harrah’s in Tunica, Mississippi. The project required a complete transformation from an outdated gaming area with a 1980s theme to a modern and sophisticated space with 60 table games, more than 2,000 slots and one of the South’s largest poker rooms.
The entire project was completed within a seven-month timeframe, and work was performed in two-week phases totaling 14 phases. A.J. Brown worked to bring a non-stop action feel to the casino by incorporating a new High Limit salon, comfortable poker room, and Sphere Bar located in the heart of the casino. The high-tech project required installation of color kinetic lighting that dances when a Jack Pot is won. In addition, A.J. Brown created three new entrances to the casino along with total restroom renovations. This reconfiguration transformed the Harrah’s casino and bar into the ultimate nightlife destination.
A.J. Brown brings Las Vegas-style buffet to hometown Harrah’s.
St. Louis Buffet Gets a Cutting-Edge Culinary Makeover
When Harrah’s approached A.J. Brown with a new buffet proposal at its popular Maryland Heights location to be finished in a 9-month time frame, Dan Steuber, Principal for A.J. Brown’s entertainment projects, was excited for the challenge. “Harrah’s wanted to bring the latest in Las Vegas-style buffets to St. Louis,” recalls Dan. “We needed to create a space that married functionality with the cutting-edge modern designs and tastes that Vegas is known for.”
Renovation of the 26,000 square foot banquet area—formerly known as Town Square Buffet—began in March of 2007 with an open date scheduled for December 20 of that year. A.J. Brown reconfigured the space to include an interactive, seven-station buffet each with its own “foodscape” and designated kitchen. The challenge was to create a cohesive and attractive setting that encouraged guests to wander through the space, while still having distinct culinary themes at each restaurant station. Access, scheduling, phasing and unique materials made this job difficult, but A.J. Brown completed the Eat Up! Buffet on time, providing St. Louis with a taste of Las Vegas entertaining.
