Paula Deen Has 'Savannah Style' and Low Cholesterol

By Maggie Coughlan Posted May 17th 2010 05:00PM

While she may be most recognizable as the host of three shows on Food Network, Paula Deen's empire expands far beyond the kitchen. Best known for her love of decadent foods, her Southern pride and liberal use of butter, Paula has teamed up with her creative director, Brandon Branch, to co-author 'Savannah Style,' a year-round tour (and visual smorgasbord) of homes in Savannah, Georgia, that is sprinkled with advice and expertise. PopEater sat down with Paula and Brandon to talk about being named "the queen of cholesterol" and what 'Savannah Style' is all about.

Your new book is called 'Savannah Style.' What sets Savannah, Georgia, apart from the rest of the world?
Brandon Branch: That's a good question. I think Savannah people are definitely eccentric. We're really quirky. We love to bring life outside. We love to bring the inside outside. We love collecting things, we love things that tell a story, that have a history. We have such great architecture here, everything's old. We love really unique things.
Paula Deen: Savannah is all about details. It's those little things that so quietly take it to the next level.

Is there a famous house or location you'd love to decorate?
BB: I would love to decorate the Mercer House in Savannah. It's one of the most famous homes downtown. It's the house in the movie and the book, 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.'
PD: Where Jim Williams shot and killed his lover, and then a few years later, Jim William dropped dead in the same spot where his lover had [also] fallen dead in the library.

Does this mean there may be a Paula Deen home decor television show in the future?
PD: You know, I know never say never. I have no idea, honey, what God's got in store for me tomorrow! I don't know, but my head is up high and my eyes are open and I think Brandon's the same way.

You've got some diehard fans who would love to see that show come to fruition. What do you watch on television?
PD: It's so funny because I am a fanatic over Discovery ID. Solving mysteries! I love whodunit. I love 'CSI' -- all those shows. 'Criminal Minds,' 'Criminal Intent,' Discovery ID! Let's get onto the next murder and let me help you solve it!

Who is your favorite Food Network star?
PD: That's hard for me to answer because I don't really watch cooking shows. The thing that makes me the saddest is that I never got to meet Julia Child. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to cook alongside her and to have met her.

One young lady that was just here on set with me, Sunny Anderson, I thoroughly enjoyed being with her. I think she's a great little cook. And her name is perfect -- it fits her personality. 'Cooking for Real' on Food Network. Believe it or not, people think that those of us on Food Network get to see each other all the time, it's totally not true. One may film in LA, one may film in Atlanta, one may film in Jersey, one may film in New York, one may film in Savannah. We MIGHT be all at the same function maybe once, twice a year at the most.

Television shows like Jamie Oliver's 'Food Revolution' have made healthy eating both necessity and entertainment. Anyone who has watched a Paula Deen cooking show or special knows that your approach to cooking is much different. You've been called the "queen of cholesterol" by critics and fans alike.
PD: I don't let it bother me, I just laugh. I'm a firm believer that Southern cooking is not nearly as bad for you as people want to make it out to be. I would put my money up that we eat more vegetables than any region in the country. Y'all know that even if its got some ham hock in it, those vegetables are very good for your body. We don't, regardless of what people think, eat fried chicken at every meal. It's about moderation, it's all about moderation and then it's genetic.

My cholesterol is 137, so that ain't bad. You have to be responsible for yourself. You have to know your numbers and take care of your own dietary needs. No one can do that for ya. It's important that each person be familiar with their numbers, talk to their doctor and eat accordingly.

Regardless of what people think, we do not have fried chicken and biscuits everyday. Sometimes, we will just have a vegetable plate. It's not nearly as bad -- people joke on me! But it's alright, I just laugh along with it. But I'll tell you what -- I would rather have quality than quantity. I want to enjoy this beautiful life that God gave me. And do I have a news bulletin, you won't believe it, hold onto your chair -- none of us are getting out of here alive. So if I want a piece of fried chicken, I'm gonna have me a piece of fried chicken, but at the same time I'm gonna try and be responsible for myself.

Comments

(192)

Saturday 22 May

By alex smith

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There is absolutely NO WAY her cholesterol is 137 total. I am thin eat no read meats and take zocor. My cholesterold is 235. This owman is overwieght and eats the southern diet. You are doing all of us a disservice by publishing nonesense.

By Karen

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That's not necessarily true. My dear mother ate just about anything she wanted, including huge amounts of butter. She weighed well over 200 pounds and her total cholesterol was in the 150's, without medication. Her brother was very careful about what he ate and struggled to keep his cholesterol down. Everyone is different.

By Mary

My granddaughter and I are getting ready to make a trip to Savannah and I truly hope we get a chance to meet this beautiful lady who has such a great sense of humor. I have bought and read the book "Savannah Style" and love it. Living here in Oklahoma we could use a little "southern charm" in our lifestyle. Looking forward to eating at the Lady and Sons and posible meeting the great Paula Deen. She is a great inspiration to all single moms.

By Barb

Mary, I heard her restaurant is not that good and she isn't even there. She has others run it and she just gets the cash!!! Good luck.

sorry for the typos here it is There is absolutely NO WAY her cholesterol is 137 total. I am thin eat no read meats and take zocor. My cholesterol is 235. This woman is overweight and eats the southern diet. You are doing all of us a disservice by publishing nonesense

By Maricia12

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Some people are born with the predisposition to high cholesterol so even taking medication may not bring down your numbers where doctors say they should be. It is like some people can eat anything and remain thin where others gain weight if they ate the same way. Also exercise and weight lifting have been shown to keep cholesterol numbers lower. ??? Also some medications can raise cholesterol.

By Beth

So true, Marcia, people who have high cholestrol should know the VARIOUS ways people can get it before they say their 2 cents worth. That aren't worth much!

By Dorie

To J, You asked if anyone actually cares, guess some do. No,this isn't big news..it's called intertainment, fun, relax, take your mind off "real news", believe me, we won't miss any of the real news, if we do, it will be back tomorrow, or this afteroon, in 60 seconds, just take a break & lighten up a bit.

By kat

...137 after the lipitor.

By Helen Butler

Paula I love your cooking show, my best girlfriends from Savannah she told us all about the going ons at the parties in the movie midnight in the garden of evil...we couldn't wait the next day at work to hear the next parts of the story...Anyways, here in Dallas I opened a small bakery in the heart of dallas our specialty old fashioned teacakes made from my great great grandma recipe with my own blend of spices...which brings to your expertise to survive in a struggling recession what do you suggest to increase sells?

Sunday 23 May

By n.jebamoni

She is the phoniest of all food work stars.

By DebinSoCal

Got news flash....some of us bigger gals are genetically 'gifted'. Low cholesterol, low blood pressure, no diabetes. OTHER problems, yes, got some of them. But, these 3 are not on that list. Inherited. At least SOMETHING good was inherited.

If you want to eat at The Lady and Sons, you have to show up at the restaurant about 9 a.m. and put your name on the list for that day. They don't take telephone reservations. I know it is weird but that is the way it is done. Not sure why you cannot call. We were in Savannah a few yrs ago and wanted to eat there and that was what the Hilton hotel clerk told us we had to do. As it turned out it was the first wk in January so they were closed for a week for the New year holiday. We live 4 hrs away so we will get there one of these days. I get a lot of southern cooking so it is ok. A really great restaurant for southern food is the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, GA., about an hour from Atlanta. Delicious!

By diane

hugh....your just jealous,,,shes a terrific person,,sincere, and hard working,,,get a grip ,,,,

By pps

137??? hahahahahaha and i'm princess di. she couldn't have that low a number and be as fat as she is. sheesh. that woman makes heart attack food.

By FRAN

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT HER, SHE IS NOT FAT. SHE'S HAD 2 CHILDREN AND RAISED THEM ON HER OWN. SHE'S MADE A LIVING COOKING FOR OTHERS. YOU, HOWEVER, HAVE PROBABLY NEVER DONE A DAYS WORK IN YOUR LIFE. AT LEAST SHE CAN HOLD HER HEAD UP HIGH KNOWING THAT SHE DID HER BEST. AND YOU'RE PROBABLY JUST JEALOUS BECAUSE SHE MAKES A LOT MORE MONEY YOU. SPOILED SPORT.

You don't think she would reveal her real Cholesterol numbers do ya'll? It wouldn't sell her fattening books. She cooks junk food loading with bad things.

By Carl

She's a slob, do all Southerner's their mouth full? That is si disgusting.....

By JoAnn

No, all Southerners do not eat with their mouths full...nor do all Southerners talk with Paula's exaggerated drawl.

By Sue Bradley

Paula may have low cholesterol, but it doesn't mean you are immuned from a heart attack. A friend of mine had cholesterol in the low 100's and had no symptoms, but suddenly had to have open heart surgery.......

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