Q and A with Paula Deen

America’s favorite southern Food Network star miss Paula Deen is one busy bee. She is the star of several TV shows, owner of more than one down-South restaurant, author of numerous cookbooks, and creator of the bi-monthly magazine, Cooking with Paula Deen. Deen also has her own extensive product line, where you can purchase everything from Paula Deen teakettles to Deen’s Peanut Butter BBQ Sauce. This Georgia native can even be seen making a recent guest appearances on the hit game show, The Price is Right. Tune in tomorrow night for Bravo’s Top Chef, and you can spot Deen making her debut as a guest judge.

While she now juggles an undoubtedly successful career, Deen didn’t come from living the easy life. At a young age, she suffered from the loss of both her parents, and later found herself impoverished with two young boys after struggling to get out of a bumpy marriage. You can read more about Deen’s story here.

In short, Deen turned to the kitchen to find comfort, and through a wonderful stream of events, she eventually ended up where she is today—a warm, busy, butter-loving celebrity chef.

I managed to grasp a few minutes of Deen’s time to ask her about a few of her favorites and to find out what kinds of things you might catch this sweet lady doing on her days off.

Favorite meal of the day?

Breakfast

Favorite comfort food?

Peanut Butter and Jelly

Sweet potato or white potato?

That’s a hard one, but I would have to go with a white potato because of the variety of dishes you can make.

Kale or collards?

Collards

Most utilized vegetable in your kitchen?

Onion

Favorite vegetarian dish you cook?

I would have to say my vegetable lasagna.  It is delicious!

Butter, butter, or butter? Just kidding. If you choose oil for a dish, what’s your go-to type?

Peanut oil

What is your top pick from the selection of pie flavors on your Walmart line?

Pecan pie

Ever watch the Food Network?

Not really, I don’t have time to watch very much television.

In a few words, describe your experience as the grand marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade?

I absolutely loved being there and sharing it with my family, it was a day we will never forget.

With eggs in so many different baskets, how do you keep yourself balanced and stress free?

I have a great team who I don’t have to micromanage. They keep my head on straight!

Complete this sentence. “People are surprised when they learn that I…”

Love slot machines!

“There are few things I love more than…”

My precious family