Paula Deen: A Short History of a Fine Woman & Chef

May 16, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Celebrity Cooks, The Facts / History at 8:26 am |

Paula Deen & Sons.jpg

Paula Hiers Deen was born January 19, 1947 in the town of Albany, Georgia.  She is known as a proficient chef, restaurateur, writer, TV personality & mother.  Deen resides in Savannah, Georgia where she runs her restaurant The Lady & Sons with her two children Jamie & Bobby.   

Paula is also known for her ability to overcome agoraphobia, or a strong fear of public places, as well as raising two boys as a single mother.  Soon after Deen moved to Savannah in 1989, she divorced her first husband and was left with $200 & two young children.  So she did what she does best, she cooked up a storm.  Deen started a catering business called The Bag Lady where she would make sandwiches and other meals while her sons delivered the food, due to her agoraphobia.

The business was quite successful and outgrew Paula’s kitchen in a matter of months.  She was hired as the head cook at the local Best Western hotel where she worked for five years before opening her own restaurant, The Lady & Sons which is now a Savannah tradition. 

Deen took up with the Food Network in 1999, when a friend introduced her to Gordon Elliott. She would also appear on Ready, Set, Cook! & Deen got her own show, Paula’s Home Cooking, in 2002.

Paula remarried on March 6, 2004 to tugboat pilot Michael Groover. The wedding & preparation were documented by Food Network and aired in late 2004.  Not only is this woman a wonderful Southern US cook, she is also an achiever & over-comer. 

Stay tuned for the ‘Tuesday Paula Deen Menu Recipes’ post coming soon.

Eat well & Laugh often!

 

 

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33 Comments »

  1. Jeff W.Terry Said,

    November 7, 2006 @ 2:02 am

    I would love for Paula to read this.I’m a 46y/o male who loves to cook and was taught by my granny over the phone from SC to GA.She passed away last December and now I’m lost except for my imaganation.I was raised on frog leg’s and pickled onions and so-forth.All my life I’ve been doing it with LOVE and I think that’s what it’s all about but from watching TV I guess I’m completly dumb.I’ve learned alot!If I can ever afford to come to Savannah I’d love to meet you.I have a wife with cancer and a handicapped child so I’m not to where I can just take a trip and come down there.Til then keep on cooking and I’ll keep watching.Cooking for the soldiers( and I alway’s will)as I’ve been one myself for 19 years. Thank-You
    Rookie-GI

  2. Judy Nicholson Said,

    November 15, 2006 @ 1:34 pm

    I would love to have the recipe for pumpkin fudge.
    From one southern girl to another best wishes and happy holidays
    Judy
    Tifton Ga.

  3. John Johansen Said,

    January 26, 2007 @ 8:10 pm

    Paula:
    You’ll probably think this odd but after being with
    my wife for 64 years she died from cancer and I was never a cook. I happened to watch your show one day
    and got hooked. I scribbled down receipes and then I
    bought your book “Paula Deen Celebrates!” because it had
    some simple recipes like the home-cooking my wife used
    to make.

  4. John Johansen Said,

    January 26, 2007 @ 8:11 pm

    That other message just took off and I wasn’t finished.
    What I would really appreciate now is if you would send
    me a signed bookplate as I think you are the greatest!!

  5. Grace Said,

    February 3, 2007 @ 1:34 pm

    what is paula’s philosophy?

  6. Zac T.Schroeder Said,

    February 19, 2007 @ 10:55 am

    Dear Paula,
    My name is zac i’m a 12 year old student at Brandon Middle Shhool. I’m doing my first reasurch paper on you. I admire you Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay. I want to become a chef I luv cookin its so much fun.
    ps.could you send me some recipes for some yummy fride chicken.

  7. Kathy Said,

    March 7, 2007 @ 2:43 pm

    Excuse me for asking but I was wondering. Was Paula’s
    first husband Jimmy Deen the breakfast sausage guy?

  8. Allison Said,

    March 8, 2007 @ 9:32 am

    Dear Kathy,

    That would be a hoot, wouldn’t it? However, Paula’s first husband was named ‘Jimmy Deen’ whereas the yummy sausage man is called ‘Jimmy Dean’.

    Hope that helps!

    -Allison

  9. jeannie Said,

    March 17, 2007 @ 8:05 pm

    dear paula i just love when you cook. i just want to say bobby is very good looking. keep up cooking. i will watch you shows. from jeannie collige.

  10. Evelyn Said,

    April 25, 2007 @ 1:36 pm

    Hi Paula ! I watch your show everyday. I Just got your new Book “It Ain’t All about The Cookin’” , I just couldn’t put it down ! My husband bought it for me on a Sun. and I was done with it on Wed. It was great ! ! I visited The Lady and Sons last year. It was wonderful ! My kids think I’m a little nuts, I never want to miss anything on TV that has you on it. I think you’re a warm and wonderful woman. I wish you were my neighbor ! Best Wishes for your future

  11. verlene crawford Said,

    May 24, 2007 @ 1:46 pm

    paula, i use to make a coconut cream pie that you folded 1/3 of the beaten egg whites into the pie filling but i’ve lost the receipe and i can’t find another one like it if you could help me locate this receipe i would me greatful as it was the best coconut cream pie ever .i enjoy watching you on tv like the cook books and can not get up to the resturant often enough its great. thanks

  12. Toby Spradlin Said,

    June 1, 2007 @ 11:02 am

    Paul, I just love your show and the way you cook. I was born on January 19, 1961. I beleive this is your birthday too. One of my biggest wishes is to meet you in person. I live in Paintsville, KY. My friends say that I cook like you and look like you. To me that is a compliment. Maybe, we can meet someday.

  13. marcia hurn Said,

    June 20, 2007 @ 7:18 pm

    To Whom It May Concern:
    When visiting your web site, the home page, third item down is listed as: Lady and Sons Resturant
    top secret famous Copycat Resturant recipes Paula Deen’s Lady and Sons Pecan Dreams…
    Lady and Sons Resturant Savahah, Georgia,
    Comes up as pornography!!!

  14. Shirley Woodham Said,

    June 25, 2007 @ 9:41 am

    Thought you might want to share this recipe with others.
    Baked Chicken and Vegies in Foil
    Marinate 4 boneless chicken breasts in:
    1 / 3 c. olive oil
    1 tsp. rosemary
    1 tsp. sage
    1 / 4 to 1 / 2 tsp. lemon pepper
    Spray 4 large pieces of foil with oil.
    Can fill each with carrots, cabbage wedges,sweet potato or regular potato, onion, parsnips or your choice of combination. Lay breasts on top. Pour left over marinade over top of each. Wrap tightly and bake 350 degrees for 1 hour. Yum!!!
    Love your recipes and watching you prepare them.
    Love to you, Shirley from Redfield, SD (Pheasant Capitol of the World)

  15. Anita Leonard Said,

    July 16, 2007 @ 11:10 am

    Paula,
    I just love watching you. You are truly a Southern lady. I was just wandering if your son Bobby is married or has a girlfriend. I have a crush on him now for quite some time. I’m 32 years old and single. I just wanted to let ya know i’m from North Carolina and watch your show when I can. Keep up the good work.
    Sincerely,
    Anita Leonard

  16. Sebastian Said,

    August 12, 2007 @ 3:14 pm

    I can’t stand the old version of Ask.com! It’s absolutely frustrating. It blocks questions and doesn’t act like Lycos, it’s ridiculous. I love the newer version of Ask.com better. These ridiculous commands in the past drive me nuts.

  17. JoAnnA E. Foris Said,

    August 30, 2007 @ 12:01 am

    I’m a Bobby Deen fan too, I’m singl, I’m from: Hot Springs Village, AR & Bobby Deen is quite handsome-looking!! F.Y.I. my age makes me: 3 & 1/2 years, 2 months, & 1 exact day younger than Bobby Deen, that means my birthday is: 02/27/1974, & from hearing Paula Deen-Groover mention it, I know her younger son’s Bobby Deen’s birthday is: 04/28/1970!!

  18. Jeanette Ermark Said,

    September 23, 2007 @ 5:27 pm

    Hi Paula!

    My name is Jeanette, I am a single mother of 2 girls. I was born and raised in Copenhagen (Denmark), came her in 1986. I learned to cook from my grandmother, but nothing has taught me more that when I had children. I have done what many people has done and that is create a meal from what little food or $ we have available and make it into a super poor-mans food (lunch/dinner/breakfast). I would like to share my spaghetti sause and my danish meatballs, with you and others can you inform me to where I can send them please.
    I watch it with my oldest daughter all the time. Thank you for sharing your family,food and love with us.

    Bless you always
    Jeanette and kids.

  19. Angie Said,

    October 16, 2007 @ 11:48 am

    Paula,
    Just wanting to say Thankyou for bringing your true
    Southern Recipes and Southern Traditions into our home.
    You are the only true down home cook on television.
    You cook like our mothers and grandmothers cooked.
    You are not a chef, but a cook, and their is certainly
    a difference. You bring your cooking as well as the love
    of your family & friends to us all with each show you
    do. You are a sincere and wonderful Southern girl….
    Thankyou Again….keep the recipes comming.

  20. Amanda Sandage Said,

    November 18, 2007 @ 8:51 pm

    Hey Paula,

    I was wondering how can I meet your good looking son Bobby. I am 25 and I am going to medical school. I live in Buford GA. and I work as a teacher right now.

    P.S. I love to meet you to Paula I love your show and your cooking.

  21. Tracy Lynn Said,

    December 18, 2007 @ 2:33 pm

    It’s not often that I’m home during the day to even watch tv but not too terribly long ago, I was flipping aimlessly through the channels and there you were in all your southern glory, reminding me of my aunts and growing up with a big family and our love for food.
    I sat memsorized by that firmiliar ‘drawl’ and I was hooked, I added you to tivo and in the months I’ve watched you, I’ve been inspired to bake again and at 41, I started my life again after raising my boys. I enrolled in culinary arts school and very soon I’ll be a pastry chef. So, thank you, for what you do, you inspire people to show their love through good food and for some of us, you inspire them to begin again.

  22. Cathy Said,

    January 9, 2008 @ 10:49 am

    Dear Paula, From,the very first time I seen your show,Iknew, that I liked you!The way your warmth and your souther charm came thru the T.V. and into our home,your like a breath of fresh air.For Christmas,my husband bought me your Book,”It Ain’t All About The Cookin’”What a wonderful Book,2007 was a very hard year for us,and your Book was just what the Dr.orderd,I laughed soooo hard that I was crying!Thank you for the Great Gift of laughter,there is none better!And because of you,I’m going to start my own Business now.

  23. Lois Said,

    January 12, 2008 @ 8:46 pm

    Hi Paula,

    I love your Southern stlye of cooking! We were in Savanah, October was a year age, and we went to The Lady and Sons resturant. We just love it! We love you, Paula! We are planning another trip this year. I just finished your new book, loved it! I just love your cook shows! I hope to see you soon! My best Wishes from my house to yours! Love, Lois Vero Beach, Fl.

  24. amber Said,

    January 15, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

    hey paula i love your show i am doing my social studies project on you!my title is hey yall from my kichen to yours.

    love amber

  25. Paula Wojcik Said,

    January 22, 2008 @ 1:21 am

    Dear, Paula

    My name is Paula to, and Im 18 years old. I just joined culenary school and I am having a blast…every morning I wake up an hour earlyer than I am supose to because I can’t wait to get to school..cooking changed my life. I feel happy, exited and proud when I cook,almost as if Iwas making a difference. I never thought that I could make decent money just by cooking. But you know what, I don’t even care because I love what I do and that’s all that matters..When I watch your show you look so happy when you cook, I understand completely because I feel it to. It’s hard to explain, and the word “happy” can’t define it. But I know you know that feeling that runs threw your body. It’s Great….
    Thank you so much,
    love always Paula…

  26. Gendolyn Childress Said,

    February 3, 2008 @ 3:25 pm

    Paula, I’m new on the comuter. I so would like the recipes on the show were you and Bobby cooked his Birthday meal. Could you send it to me. The carmel cake
    looked so good. I watch you every day, and love your party show also. Your morning show at your home is “THE BEST” ! When are we going to see more of your Grandson??
    I love your family included in you shows. Wish I could fine a Michael like yours.

  27. Cheap Holidays Denmark Said,

    February 5, 2008 @ 3:51 am

    How to Cut Down on Holiday Spending Without Looking Cheap

    No one wants to look like a grinch, but most of us reach a point in our holiday shopping where we realize that we’re going to spend more than we want to if we get everything on our list. What to do… If you’re a parent, you have two options: ramp do…

  28. mary good Said,

    March 11, 2008 @ 12:20 pm

    where abouts savannagh do you live

  29. Lisa Said,

    March 23, 2008 @ 9:33 pm

    Paula,

    I absolutely love you and your show! You are my favorite. I live in NH but have many friends and family down south. I love your Southern cooking. You are beautiful and talented and have two fine sons. They both seem to have fun loving personalities like their Mom. Wishing you the very best in all you do!

  30. Jane Said,

    April 3, 2008 @ 7:00 am

    Paula,

    Our group from Illinois will be dining at the Lady and Sons on Tuesday, April 8th. In fact, the bus tour sold out when your restaurant was advertised! I am so thrilled to be coming and seeing your place and enjoying some great food. I like to make some of your recipes, especially the vegetable soup and the house seasoning. Would love to meet you and your family but know that is almost impossible. So glad you are doing well now. You have such a remarkable story with a remarkable ending.

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  33. AMBER Said,

    August 10, 2008 @ 4:43 pm

    PAULA I LOVE YOUR SHOW.I WISH I COULD GET ALL YOUR RECIPIES.YOU MAKE SOME OF THE BEST STUFF I LOVE ALL THE DESERTS THAT YOU MAKE.I LOVE SWEETS JUST LIKE YOU. I WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU AND COME TO YOUR SHOW PAULA PARTY.

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