Aretha Franklin Is Launching a Food Line to Challenge Patti LaBelle’s
Patti LaBelle, left, and Aretha Franklin. (Photos: AP)
There’s about to be a battle between two legendary soul-singing divas in your grocery store. After Patti LaBelle achieved runaway success with her line of sweet potato pie at Walmart, Aretha Franklin says she’s working on her own line of food products.
“Miss Patti’s gonna have to move that pie to the side,” the Queen of Soul told Detroit’s WDIV Local 4 news in an interview Wednesday.
Franklin revealed she’s working with a Phoenix-based company to produce savory dishes including chili, gumbo, and baked chicken and dressing. Pies aren’t on the menu — for now.
LaBelle has been selling her sweet potato pies at Walmart since last fall, and the dessert sold out right before Thanksgiving when Chicago singer James Wright Chanel posted a video of himself singing while reviewing the pie.
Walmart recently announced it has expanded its LaBelle offerings to include a three-layer caramel pie and a vanilla pound cake. LaBelle told Yahoo Food in an interview that she also wants to bring heartier recipes, including her macaroni and cheese with lobster and shrimp, to stores.
Meanwhile, Franklin is donating food and hotel rooms to some residents in Flint, Mich., affected by the water contamination crisis in the town.
Love pies? Check out these stories:
Patti LaBelle Tasted My Sweet Potato Pie and I Almost Died
Patti LaBelle’s Sweet Potato Pie: How I Got My Hands on One
15 Things You Will Find on Patti LaBelle’s Thanksgiving Table
