Oprah Orders Pappas Crabcakes While Filming Henrietta Lacks Movie in Baltimore

PARKVILLE, MD — Oprah Winfrey, who began her career as a WJZ reporter in Baltimore, is back in town and she's enjoying some of her favorite things while she's here.

Winfrey is working on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a film based on the book by the same name, which is the true story of a Baltimore area woman whose cells were used for genetic research after she died, without her family's knowledge.

Winfrey, who is also producing the film with Alan Ball (True Blood, Six Feet Under), plays the role of Henrietta Lacks's daughter in the movie, which will air on HBO when complete.

The crew has been spotted filming at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Fells Point this week.

Winfrey ordered 175 crabcakes from Pappas Seafood in Parkville for the cast and crew, according to The Baltimore Sun, which reported she placed the request Tuesday night for delivery on Wednesday.

It is no secret that Winfrey is a Pappas fan. She officially stamped her approval on Pappas crabcakes in 2015, when she included them on her list of "favorite things," which comes out before the holidays each year.

”These perfectly seasoned Maryland crab cakes have more fresh, sweet lump crabmeat than I’ve ever seen in a cake," Oprah said on her favorite things list. "The blend of ingredients comes from a 45-year-old family recipe."

When the 175 crabcakes were delivered to those working on the movie, Winfrey said the cakes were "spectacular," according to The Baltimore Sun, which reports she eats her crabcakes with cocktail sauce and lemon.

In another score for Pappas this month, the restaurant won City Paper's award for the best crab cake of 2016.

• Oprah Puts Two Baltimore Items on Her 'Favorite Things' List for 2015

Photo by aphrodite-in-nyc via Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0.