In the kitchen with Smokey
Posted on Mon, May. 10, 2004
Philly@com
Smokey Robinson is getting into the food business. Taking a cue from musicians including Chubby Checker (jerky), Jimmy Dean (sausage), George Jones (bacon and bottled water), Dwight Yoakam (seafood) and Tracy Byrd (spices and seasonings), who already have their names on grocery items,

Robinson will put his first product - Soul Is in the Bowl Gumbo - in California stores this month. The frozen entree - which contains chicken and seafood, but no red meat - is expected to be available nationwide by year's end, Billboard reports.

The singer and his partners in Smokey Robinson's Foods plan to focus on ethnic and frozen foods, and will donate a portion of the company's profits to further education for minority children. Next off the stove: jambalaya and red beans and rice.