If protests cannot prompt Paula to talk, perhaps prayer will?

A group of ministers is hoping that praying may get cooking sensation Paula Deen to end her affiliation with food processor Smithfield, which some people say has abused workers at a plant in Eastern North Carolina.

At the very least, said the Rev. Marvin Morgan, the ministers hope their gathering Saturday at Cobb Galleria Centre "will help her see the light."

A sweet-talking cook from Savannah who is hot stuff on the Food Network, Deen is appearing at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show at the Galleria. Deen, a partner with Smithfield in different promotions, is the star attraction in a two-day display featuring more than 100 exhibitors.

She's also the reason that Morgan and others say they'll buy general-admission tickets, then bow their heads. It's the only way, they think, to catch Deen's attention — others', too.

Since last year, the Deen has been the subject of protests over her work as spokeswoman for Smithfield.

"What we're trying to do is bring this whole matter to the attention of the public," said Morgan, a minister at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Atlanta. "Paula Deen has some issues she's not addressing."

Deen declined to comment on the matter for this story, but her publicist, Nancy Assuncao said the issue does not concern the TV chef.

"This has nothing to do with her," Assuncao said. "This is an issue that needs to be resolved by the two parties."

Smithfield, a food giant whose brands include Butterball turkeys and Gwaltney hotdogs, for years has been at odds with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. The UFCW tried in 1994 and 1997 to unionize a Smithfield pork-processing plant in Tar Heel, N.C. Workers rejected the union both times.

Two years ago, a federal court upheld a cease-and-desist order the National Labor Relations Board issued against Smithfield. The order was based on union members' complaints that the food processor intimidated workers in the 1997 election.

The union says the plant has abused its workers with unreasonable work demands. The critics also say it is a dangerous place, where fatigued employees are in peril from sharp objects.

"It's a rough place to work," said Leila McDowell, a Washington public-relations specialist whom the UFCW has hired for the Smithfield campaign.

Smithfield last year filed a lawsuit accusing the union of violating anti-racketeering laws. According to the suit, the union is calling on boycotts of Smithfield and trying to ruin its public image — a tactic Smithfield likens to extortion.

A spokesman for Smithfield said the campaign to speak to Deen is a ruse to build union support at the plant, where about 5,000 people work.

"It's a big plant," said Dennis Pittman, who heads corporate communications for Smithfield. "It's a big value to the UFCW."

Morgan, who said he also serves as a pastor for the union, said the ministers merely want to offer some supplication to the Lord. If Deen hears them, that's fine.

That's equally fine with Assuncao, Deen's spokesperson.

"You know?" she asked. "We all need prayers."