From Picayune Hotshots:

Picayune Hotshots 2026 Legacy Award goes to….

Paul’s Pastry Shop earned their spot at the table — and has become an iconic landmark in Picayune, Mississippi.

Way back in 1970, when Picayune was a whole lot quieter, Harry and Shirley Paul opened a little bakery with more grit than money. The place was small. The budget was tight. But the work ethic was solid — and around here, that still means something. They baked from scratch, showed up early, stayed late, and treated customers like neighbors… because most of them were.

At first, Paul’s did what any good small-town bakery does. Birthday cakes. Wedding cakes. Cookies, pies, donuts — whatever folks needed for Sunday dinner or a school fundraiser. Harry worked over at Stennis Space Center, and before long, coworkers were swinging by the shop telling everyone, “You gotta try this place in Picayune.” Word spread the old-school way — one mouth at a time.

Then came the King Cakes.

People from Louisiana started asking if Paul’s could make one. Instead of saying “that ain’t how we roll,” Pauls said, “Heck yeah! We can do that!” And buddy… they didn’t half-do it. They stuffed those cakes full of cream cheese and fruit fillings, piled on the colored sugar, and made something that flat-out tasted better than what most folks were used to. Before long, Paul’s king cakes weren’t just popular — they were legendary.

That king cake put Paul’s on the map and provided the well earned street cred that has lasted for decades!

Read full post on Facebook at https://facebook.com/picayune.hotshots.2025/posts/122165063594783097/.