Written by Ida Brown at The Meridian Star.

An award-winning baker and executive producer of a popular talk show is coming to L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen to bake.

Rushion McDonald, an executive producer of “The Steve Harvey Show,” will come to the local soup kitchen in March as a result of the facility’s executive director, Fannie Johnson, winning the Perfect Home Baking Experience with Rushion McDonald.

Johnson said she learned of the contest while searching on a popular social media page.

“I was actually there looking for Rushion McDonald’s page to help with our Minority Business Alliance. He’s an entrepreneur and on Monday mornings he goes on Facebook and answers business questions,” she said.

While browsing, Johnson learned about the contest and decided to enter.

“I really didn’t think I was going to win, but I entered anyway,” she said.

Earlier this month, Johnson received a call from McDonald informing her that she had won the contest and he is coming to her home to bake six desserts of her choosing. In the midst of her excitement, Johnson made one request of McDonald.

“I told him I didn’t want him to bake at my house, but where I worked – at L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen,” she said.

Instead of baking for the facility’s clients, McDonald will prepare desserts for members of Leadership Lauderdale, the Minority Business Alliance and several other individuals.

“I want to show appreciation to some of the people who have helped us out at L.O.V.E’s Kitchen,” Johnson said. “The community has been so good to us and this is one way for us to say ‘thanks.’”

In addition to having desserts prepared by the award-winning baker, Johnson also received a limited Signature Edition Perfect Bake PRO Scale and Recipe App, which she plans to donate to the kitchen.

“I’ve been learning how to use it,” said Johnson, who will assist McDonald in preparing the desserts.

Johnson said show executives plan to tape McDonald’s appearance at L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen.

“They said they hope to air it on ‘The Steve Harvey Show,’ but it’s not definite,” she said. “Still, this is something good for L.O.V.E.’s Kitchen and Meridian.”