What Paula Deen Is Really Like (My day with her)
A few months back I drove down to Savannah, Georgia to spend the day filming with Paula Deen. We had a wonderful time and I found her kitchen to be one of the most comfortable rooms I’ve ever been in. The Episode we filmed airs this Saturday on the Food Network (click here to read times and please RSVP if you plan on watching).
What is Paula Deen like? Well she’s just like you’d think she is. She is gracious, kind, and absolutely beautiful inside and out. This is a warm hearted Southern Mama and Grandmama to the core. She is a generous person, heaping praise and thanks on all of those around her. She made me feel so welcome and we chatted about our grandmothers, life in the old days, and the joys of getting to be a Mama.
Blurry photo of us being silly
Now I want to tell you about her boys. They were both there, they were both as friendly as could be, and they were both so well mannered. I cooked with Bobby on the show and we had a great time. That boy could make a tree stump laugh! But the main thing that impressed me with her boys was that when each of them left, they went around to more than twenty members of the production crew and thanked each one of them by name and gave them each a hug. That speaks volumes to the kind of people they are and how they were raised. I always feel that my behavior is a reflection on my mother and so I do my best each day to be a credit to her. Bobby and Jamie definitely are.
I took my heirloom rolling pin to use in the recipe we prepared of my Mama Reed’s Nilla Wafer Cake and I also brought along some green stamps, tea glasses that used to be peanut butter jars (like my Mama Reed used) and an ad for the peanut butter that had come in them. We enjoyed chatting about them while we were filming.
The funny thing is, you know how Southerners really don’t hear our own accents? Paula said my Alabama accent made her sound like a yankee! ~giggles~ We all know that isn’t true but it was still funny to hear.
So yesterday on my Facebook page I asked if anyone had any specific questions about my filming with Paula and y’all came up with some good ones! Some are a bit more intense and some lighthearted. I’ll do my best to answer them below. I didn’t answer the ones that wanted me to ask Paula a question because I’m afraid I won’t be speaking with her before the show, and I left off some that ended up being duplicates (A lot of us want to know the same thing – but isn’t that always the way with family?).
April – How many sticks of Butter did ya’ll use during the show?
I think three but possibly four. As for my part in it, one.
Charles- Carol and I will be eating at her place in Tunica next week. Any free meals?
~Giggles~ It costs a great deal of money just to be Paula Deen – I can promise you that without a bit of reservation. I ate at her restaurant in Savannah and while I did ask her producer to get me a table there, I happily paid full price for my meal and would have never dreamed of letting her cover it.
Glenda – Will you be on her cooking show?
Yes. This Saturday. Here is the link on Food Network’s site.
I won’t be watching it when it airs though, I have an event at my kid’s school so I’ll let y’all see it first.
Ally- How did she get her courage to overcome Agoraphobia? Was it a strictly “mind over matter” thing?
We actually talked about that during filming. I’m not sure if it will make it into the show. I haven’t seen the episode and really have no idea what it includes.
Her overcoming that is especially impressive knowing what all she has to go through in public nowadays. I think I’d be hiding in a hole…
Donna- How did it feel to be in the company of someone that has gone through what you are now going through? Did you say “I wanna be just like her?” Is she as wholesome as she seems on tv?
Donna, you hit the nail on the head. I felt like I was with someone who understands so much of what my life is like now, things that I can never speak about because folks wouldn’t understand. The funny thing is that once I was finally with someone who understood it, I didn’t even need to talk about all of the things I’ve encountered on my journey. It was just nice being with someone who has traveled the road.
As far as me wanting to be like her, I have nothing but respect and admiration for Paula, both for the road she’s traveled and for the character and grace she’s maintained through it all. But I’ve never aspired to be like any earthly person other than my mother. As far as being more like my Mama, I’ve still got a long way to go 
.
Paula Deen doesn’t put on any airs. She is exactly who she presents herself to be.
William – How was your cholesterol – before and after?!
I can’t speak to cholesterol but my heart was definitely in better shape afterwards.
Donna – I saw her on Dr. Oz and was so touched by her desire to quit smoking. I hope her journey is successful. Does she cook anything without butter? Hehe
She cooks a great deal without butter but the moment she stops using it on air there will be moment people shout with outrage that she’s a sell out.
You don’t get to a certain place in public life without learning that you can’t please them all and it’s best to just be true to who you are
Jim – Butter or margarine?
Paula is decidedly and determinedly butter only. She faces as much criticism for that as I do for my butter/margarine shifting. In the end I feel this should be to each their own. Your kitchen – your rules. I wasn’t assigned to judge
Debbie – Has Paula stopped smoking. I also saw her on Dr. Oz and saw the very vunerable side of her that you don’t often see of famous people on tv. I could see her hiding her fear (searching for the right word) with comedy. She had me laughing and then crying for her and her struggle. I can relate as I struggle with food but it just all taste so good! 
Tell her how much we all love her next time you see her. We love you too!
Debbie, thank you!! I love you right back, I truly do.
I can’t speak to whether or not Paula smokes. I can’t imagine she is able to be who she is, with the great demands placed on her time and having to live under a microscope, without having something she does just for herself though – no matter what that is. If I were ever in her shoes, I’d need a truck delivery of diet dr pepper each day just to get out of bed
Willie – Just tell her that we all love you AND her.
I will do that Willie – and Thank you!!!
Janet -Did you get to meet her sons and husband?
Yes Ma’am! I met both of her sons, cooked with Bobby and spent a good bit of time talking to him, but didn’t get to meet her sweet husband.
Amanda – She seems so nice on tv, I bet she is even nicer in person? my daughter always says look mom our friend is on tv!
She really is a sweet and dear woman.
John- I would love to know what color she uses on her hair…..Beautiful silver……...
Oh isn’t it? I wish I could tell you! I complimented her hair as well. She said “Well honey, I wish I could give it to you but you can only get this color by an ex husband and two grown kids.”
Latosha – Many years ago (1994 or 95) I worked at a place and Paula Deen was a client. We supplied to her. I was her customer service rep.. We had many conversations and she even offered me a job over the phone. I had no desire to move from South GA and didn’t know her. BOY!!! I should have took up the offer! We got along FABULOUS!
She’s such a sweetheart, isn’t she?
Lydia – Ask her to come to Huntsville and have a great big Paula/Christy cookoff and fun-filled day of fans just hanging out…..
I’ll do that! We’d have to cook together though, I don’t do “cookoffs” as I have a strict policy of never competing with my recipes. Competing is saying that you think your recipe or cooking is better than others and I’ve never felt that way. You’re every bit as good a cook as I am, if not better!
Angie - how long before you started breathing normally when you were taping? I would have been hyperventilating from sheer joy!
I was never the least bit nervous. I was nervous the first time I did tv at a little local station in Huntsville a few years back. Once I got that behind me people have just been people ever since and I always feel blessed whenever I get to spend time with folks on both sides of the camera.
Michelle – Are her boys as cute in person as they are on tv?
Nope. They’re cuter.
Malinda – is she as sweet as she seems and funny in person?
She is a gracious and kind person, with generous heart. As for being funny – She’s a HOOT!
Jean – What was one thing you learned from her and what was your favorite part of this whole experience?
I had one question I wanted to ask her. One thing that I felt only she could understand.
All of my life I’ve felt like I was the last puppy in the box. The one nobody picked. Folks just walked by and didn’t notice once the shiny, cuter puppies were gone. That has made the success of my website and book and, well, I guess me, hard to digest and wrap my head around at times.
I wanted to ask Paula “How do you handle being the last puppy in the box all of your life and then all of a sudden being chosen first?”
I didn’t ask her though. Once I was around her I understood. I think we’re both still the last puppy in our minds, and that is what makes us who we are. It was comforting seeing that.
Gwen – Do you think she will ever have a cooking show, “Healthy Cooking with Paula Deen”?
That’s an excellent question and one only Paula could answer, of course. Personally, I kinda feel like I know where it would go. Paula never asked to be the Paula Deen brand that she is today. The public put here there. They took a shining to who she was and what she represented, the fact that she cooked like so many of our grandmothers and then had the nerve to be proud of her cooking heritage to boot, and they put her where she is. Some people in that same public will happily crucify her for being the person they lifted her up for being. If she were to change now, they’d call her a sell out. But the great thing is Paula Deen has the rare character trait of being able to remain true to herself though it all.
Candace- I have to wonder is she genuinely nice and sweet or put on? I do love Paula (not NEARLY as much as you, Christy..you’re the real thing…a Mama with young’uns and so forth) and have seen her somewhat get the “big head” over the years compared to what she used to be.
Candace you are so sweet. Thank you for such a wonderful compliment My younguns keep me hopping, that’s for sure! This is a great question and I’m going to expand on it a little bit, beyond what you asked, to address other areas in which some folks might think she has an ego issue.
I didn’t find her to have a big head or ego at all. She’s just a plain old thing in person and doesn’t act as if she thinks she’s any more special than anyone else. She works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.
As you get bigger, you have to form a natural insulation around yourself for the sake of your family and personal life and I can only imagine she has to have several layers. Sometimes you hear of folks running into her and saying “She didn’t even smile at me!” or the like, and it bothers me because I know on the other side of things, she may have been up half the night flying in, done tv, and radio that day, and then had a book signing where she was smiling and bright for three or four hours with hundreds of people in attendance. Sometimes, not smiling isn’t the equivalent of a frown. It just means your face would like to take a breath.
Ann - I’ve been meaning to ask but what were the cookies called that you took to the set then gave me the leftovers at the front desk of the Westin. They were absolutely fabulous.
I took two different kinds of cookies, Ann, and Paula and her boys tried them and liked them both! Dishpan Cookies and M&M Bar Cookies. I’m so glad you liked them and it was great getting to meet you!!!
So there you have it folks, the truth about Paula Deen. She is a hardworking, good hearted person who is also a devoted mother and doting grandmother…But I’m pretty sure that isn’t a startling revelation
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Posted by Christy Jordan
on Nov 4 2011. Filed under Guests, Life at Bountiful, Newsletters.
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Thanks for all the info on Paula, Christy. Hope to talk to ya later. Love you!
you too Angela!!! I’ve just about got a full voice today:)
The comment about the ego…
Anyone…celebrity or not…is human on their best day and definitely their worst. Even your best friend does not smile at you all the time, so a complete stranger is going to always be smiling? These people have to be able to hang out the ‘closed’ shingle sometime. It doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate the people who support them, but they can’t be pulled on 24 hours a day.
Thank you for blog and all you do. I recently made the lemon icebox pie…LOVE it. checked the cookbok out from the library…just to know to add it to my CHristmas list.
I can’t wait to see you, Christy. I mean that with all sincerity. You are doing an amazing job and I applaud you! You are pretty, talented, creative and bubbly. Congrats! Cindy
You could never be the last puppy. That broke my heart and made me love you even more. I guess we all have our moments where we feel “less than”. God bless you for sharing such a moment with those of us who love you dearly. You’re first in my litter of web friends!
I totally agree with Sue Horne. If you were a puppy, I’d pick you FIRST! I am surprised that you would ever feel that way. My whole family thinks you are absolutely awesome.
I agree with you, Sue!!! Christy is first in my litter of web friends, too! I hope you don’t mind that I “stole” your line…but she’s the best!! I think it’d be great just to hang out with her at my kitchen table, drink sweet tea (or Splenda!!), and just laugh and giggle!
I absolutely love your perspective about life and people. You are truly one of the most positive and generous people I have had the pleasure of “knowing”.
“The last puppy in the box”…. I have definitely felt that way this week. Now I have a great description to the feeling.
Anyway, I loved reading this post. I have your book and the day it arrived I sat on the couch and started reading. When my family came home they wondered why I was reading a cookbook. I tried to explain it was more than recipes, but they just didn’t get it. LOL!
You are so NOT the last puppy in the box!, bless your heart! Congrats and I’ll be at work, but will definitely tape the show- my 2 fav chefs!
When I first began visiting your site four months ago, for a long, long time I had been under the misguided impression that what you put into your recipes was more important than why you were making them in the first place. After reading (and enjoying) so many of your stories and recipes, it was like a veil was lifted and I realized that using store brand or no-name could be just as good, but I still stuck to my ways. Three weeks ago my husband was laid off from his job of four years. The first thing I did was look up your economical recipes and many slow cooker and casserole recipes to feed my family on an ever tighter budget. I bought the no name and less expensive brand name items (cans instead of bottles for pasta sauce, for example) and thought well, Christy seems to think they’re ok, and her family still enjoys her meals! So in a time of great need, your words helped me to stretch my food dollar and also realize that the yumms coming from my husband over the cheaper food items in the recipes was all I needed to hear to quelch my doubts. Now I get excited when I buy the less expensive items because of the money I’m saving. It puts a smile on my face during a tough time. In my books your the best puppy, because like they say, save the best for last. God Bless.
Wow! I’ve always felt like “the last puppy in the box” too but never knew how to express it. Thanks for putting words to my feelings!
Christy, I have been waiting on this show to air ever since you announced you went to Paula’s for taping. Wooo hooooo!!!!! Such an exciting time in your career I am sure. There are soooo many of your recipes that I will be making and I am sure each and everyone will be fantastic. Thanks for all of your dedication and for being you!!! Congratulations Christy!!!!!
Paula Deen seems like such an amazing strong and caring woman. I can’t imagine what it would be like to always be “on” so to speak and never seem to have any down time. One of these days I hope to be able to meet you and Paula both.
Congratulations Christy. You deserve every bit of your success. As for feeling like “the last puppy”, sometimes the last puppy is the BEST one in the bunch!
Thank you Christy! That was so fun to read. You are such a treasure to me!!!
Christy,
I’m sure Paula Deen is as wonderful as you say she is and as she appears to be, but your honesty about yourself and down to earth personality is what makes you so endearing. You make people feel special, a very unique trait in today’s “me, me, me” society. I hope someday you will have your own television cooking show so that everyone can discover what a true southern Christian lady should be like. Tell your Mama she done good in raising you. I know she must be so proud she could pop her buttons!
I really enjoyed these questions and your replies. After all these years, sharing my life with my sweet husband, with grown sons and adorable grandbaby, i too feel like ” the last puppy in the box” deep down inside. I just want you to know that so many of us out here love you, and you feel like a beloved family member because of your humble and loving attitude. You always say you are grateful , and you give God credit for blessings in your life. I am grateful for my computer and that i found your website a few months ago, your stories of your own momma and granmom and you have been a blessing to so many. Love, Granny M
Am so looking forward to Saturday and seeing you on the Paula Dean show. Have been a longtime fan of Paula’s, but don’t use her recipes. Know they’re good, but just can’t use that much butter. However, we know how to cut back on that and they’re still tasty. Do enjoy your blogs, cookbook etc. Wish you much luck on everything.
My dear sweet friend,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share a little inside scoop about Paula. You know, people are so quick to judge those who find themselves in the spotlight. Often those who criticize fail to realize that the person they are judging is someone’s daughter, someone’s mother, someone’s sister, someone’s grandmother. I appreciate your continued positive attitude and of course I’m just delighted to know that Paula is exactly what she appears – a gracious Southern woman… just like you. Can’t wait to see the show tomorrow!!!
Christy, thank you so much for sharing your adventure with Paula Deen. I feel like I can live this exciting time with you though your words to us. I am so proud for you and your family for your success in life of taking your love of Southern cooking and family and how it has grown and taken you to the home of someone so famous. I would have been pinching myself all day! Can’t wait to watch this on TV. From one Southern cook to another; we’ll leave the front porch light on for you. Barbara from Tennessee
Loved getting to read about your experience! Looking forward to watching the show!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I must say I am truly inspired by many people and Paula Deen is one of them. She taught me so such about cooking and family tradition. I would love to meet her one day, give her a great big hug and cook a dish with her. Its on my bucketlist! She does seem like such a sweet person. And now that i live further south (Arkansas) im close enough to come to Savannah and eat at Lady and Sons. Again thank you for sharing your experience and have a great day!
I love dishpan cookies!
I am so glad you had fun with Miss Paula! It is nice to hear about what she is up to and how she has stayed her humble self. About the butter issue: I had to switch to margarine because I found out I’m allergic to dairy, however, I have been a health nut for a looong time and I know that real butter is better for you than margarine. Folks will try to be experts and say “oh don’t eat butter!” And I say the closest you can get to organic (farm fresh!) butter the better! I love your take Christy–your kitchen your rules! I just don’t want someone thinking they have to switch.
I would always pick the last puppy as they are the most loving. So I would pick you Christy.
I also love Paula.
So, did you tape in her “real” kitchen or a studio that looks like her kitchen?
Do you think I’ll be able to watch the episode on the computer at some point? I don’t get the Food Network. I would love to see it!
My daughter and I always choose the last puppy, usually the runt, and they are definitely the best. I know how down to earth you are. I am proud to say that Christy Jordan helped me put my scooter in my van after a book signing. Bet even Paula hasn’t done that for someone. Wish you were here to help me decorate and organize my new (for me) home. Got to have the TV where I can see it from my desk, bed, and living room so I can watch my PBS cooking shows. Wish you would do one for them, not food network, so people without cable could see it… please?! They don’t have a southern cook on there yet.
I met Paula at a book signing event early last month. She was delightful and so friendly. I mentioned to her that I had quit smoking the day before and she told me it was the hardest thing I’ll ever do. I got the feeling she wanted to talk more about it; but her handlers were moving everyone along. As I was walking away she yelled, “good luck Hun!”. Well Miss Paula, it’s been almost 3 weeks and I’m still smoke free!
I just finished watching your show with Paula Deen and you were just wonderful! The cake looked so tasty and I’m thinking that might be a good cake to take with us when we go to our daughter’s home for Thanksgiving. Oh yes, I printed the cookie recipe yesterday and plan to make them soon. Congratulations on a great show.
I saw you on Paula’s show yesterday!! I was quite surprised as I hadn’t checked your blog for a couple of days and didn’t expect to see you. You did an AMAZING job! You were funny, friendly and your recipe looked delicious. You two seemed to be like “peas in a pod.” I bought your cookbook from QVC when you were on and love all the recipes I have tried… that’s when I started following your blog. You did just great on Food Network and I hope someday to see you starring in your own show!
Did Paula talk about being a diabetic when u were with her,? She never does any diabetic recipes and it would be nice if she did. I just wondered how she ate all those sweets she makes if she eats them or not. Us diabetics could use some good recipes if she has any.
[...] If you missed my Guest Appearance on Paula Deen’s Best Dishes, it airs again today (November 7th) at 5:00 PM Eastern and November 14th at 12:00 Noon Eastern on the Food Network. Click here for more information and to read about my day with Paula. [...]
Christy,
I just watched the show you were on with Paula Deen and enjoyed it so much!
The cake you made is a “must try” it looked so good!. You and Paula seemed to be much alike. I love you both. You both are truly real people and that is why she is so famous, and you will be too. Keep up being yourself-cause that is what it is all about in life. Thanks for the website, and good luck in the future with all your endeavors.
Tammy J.
Where can I find the recipe for the Vanilla Wafer Cake. I tried to write it down while you were making it one the show – but I don’t know if my t’s are table or teaspoon.
Thanks
Here is a link to the recipe Peggy. I hope you enjoy it!
http://www.southernplate.com/2009/02/mama-reeds-vanilla-wafer-cake.html
Hi Christy, I love your cookbook. Are you coming up to the midwest area??? I would love to see you.
Saw the show and loved it! You looked like you were having a great time.
Thank you so much for watching Shelia! We did have a great time!!
Christy,
do you have a link that i could possibly watch it online?
I’m afraid I don’t. Food Network keeps a tight reign on that stuff (seriously tight reign) but I keep looking hoping it will get posted!
Christy,
Thank you for this!!! I have loved Paula since I saw her in the movie Elizabethtown, which wasn’t forever ago but she sure is special. As for you, I don’t quite have the right words to explain the effect of the consistancy of love and grace and yumminess we can count on from you. Grateful for you and Gods work through your life. Yep, ‘those be’ the right words there. xoxo
Jenn, I just can’t tell you enough how much you just made my day. Thank you so much for such kind words. I hope you have a blessed day!!
Gotta say Im a bit jealous.I think paula is a long lost relative of mine.You wouldnt believe it but my family has their initials on a wall next to a picture of her with the Neelys in a men’s room in a Neelys bbq in Tennessee!My wife says I have a crush on her,I say I love good food.Have you ever done anything with the Neelys?
My wife and I moved to NC from Ca in a Caravan of 2 vehicles…after 3 u-turns in my big truck and her not tellin me on the c.b radio in her car she thought i was gonna loose it.Until…I saw the Neelys bbq sign.That woman knows my heart.
After getting to know you through your web site I would much rather meet and eat with you than Paula Deen! She’s good but you are fabulous! Love and best wishes to you and your family this Thanksgiving season. I am thankful for you and your web site!