We are so excited to introduce finalist April Slayden! June is going to be a big month for this adorable Tennessee native – she’ll be flying to Savannah to potentially become a Real Woman of Philadelphia AND she’s getting married! April was so self-assured, quirky and fun in her recipe video, all the while creating a truly inspired Appetizer using plenty of Philly Cream Cheese - she really caught our eye and we think you'll see why.

We were lucky enough to catch up with this busy girl to find out what excites her about cooking!
 
1. What is the best meal you’ve ever eaten and why?
 
The night my fiancé, Zach, proposed to me we went to a little French restaurant in Clear water, Florida.  We were the only ones in the restaurant, sitting in a cozy booth with French music playing in the background.  I had the New York Strip Au Poivre grilled and topped with a wonderful black peppercorn sauce with the creamiest mashed potatoes I’ve ever had. The steak melted in your mouth, and the sauce was out of this world. The owner even surprised us with a wonderful bottle of champagne.  Maybe it was the food, maybe it was the champagne, maybe it was the big, diamond on my finger, but that was the best meal I have ever eaten.
 
2. Describe your biggest kitchen disaster.
 
Oh boy!  My mom’s birthday this past summer…it was unbelievable!  I had looked for the very best chocolate cake and icing recipe I could possibly find.  I finally found one that had awesome reviews.  So the day of her birthday I had all of the ingredients ready.  I began making the cake and poured the batter into the pans.  While they were baking I made some delicious Philly cream cheese chocolate icing!  Yum!  Once the cake cooled, I turned them over to get them out of the pans.  Wouldn’t you know they both fell apart with half of the cake left in the pan!  I forgot to butter and flower the pans.  I was so frustrated that my wonderful cake was ruined that I decided to go back to grocery and buy a chocolate cake mix.  I mean I still had that wonderful frosting! 

About the time I got home, Zach arrived and cheered me up a bit.  So I got the batter mixed up, and I began pouring the batter in my GREASED pans.  The glass bowl that batter was in was so heavy, it slipped out of my hands, the batter and glass went all over the kitchen!  I stood there crying as Zach laughed and hugged me at the same time.  He volunteered to go BACK to the grocery and get yet another cake mix!  I finally got a chocolate cake made, but at least I still that the great Philadelphia cream cheese icing!
 
And here’s April in her own words. She’s so genuine, funny and smart – we’re thrilled to have her as one of the 16 Real Women of Philadelphia finalists!
 
"I am a recent broadcast journalism college graduate, and now I am also a realtor here in Tennessee.  I am marrying the love of my life, Zach, on June 11, 2010.  I told him about a month ago that I really want to do something with cooking one day, and my dream has been to be a cooking show host.  Seriously, I am not even just saying that!  When people have asked me asked what I would do if I could anything, that was my answer!  I loved being in the field of media, but I wanted to be broadcasting something positive and enjoyable to watch.  I began looking for an opportunity, and I just happened to see an email from Kraft about this contest.  Zach told me (even with beginning my career, planning a wedding, and buying a house) I had to make time do this, and his belief in me is what gave me the confidence to really go for it. 

Cooking is the one thing I can do anytime, and it just does not feel like work.  Like I mentioned we just bought our first home, getting married in June, my real estate career is beginning to take off, and now this has happened.  I have been on cloud 9 since I received the news, and it is truly a once in lifetime experience.  I am going to cherish these next few months.  Wow, what a beginning, thank you!"