May 27 2008
Cooking Star - Paula Deen
Cooking Star – Paula Deen
“Hey, y’all!” It’s “Paula’s Home Cooking.” You’d be surprised to know that Paula’s current show has only been around since 2002. I know, it seems as though we’ve watched her tv show forever. Maybe that’s because she’s a bigger than life personality, who stays in your mind and in your heart like her food stick to your ribs.
Paula Deen did have several shows with the Food Network before “Paula’s Home Cooking.” After meeting Gordon Elliot, he started a show with her as host called “Doorknock Dinners” and then you saw her in “Ready, Set, Cook.” Eventually Paula was given “Paula’s Home Cooking,” and the rest is history.
The Early Years
Paula was born in Albany, Georgia and by her own admission says it all started for her in her grandmother’s kitchen where she learned all the basics of southern cooking. No one knew back then that it would be her first course in becoming Paula Deen, cooking star.
After graduating from high school, Paula married. First she lost her father and then her mother shortly after. She was only twenty-three at the time and already had her two sons. Years later when her husband announced his plans to take a position in Savannah, Paula was already experiencing severe panic attacks that kept her from leaving her home, a condition called agoraphobia. After divorcing her husband she came up with the idea of making sack lunches that she would have her sons deliver. She called the business The Bag Lady. After her business grew too large for her own kitchen, she opened a Savannah restaurant by the name of The Lady and Sons.
Cookbooks and More Restaurants
During the time of her first restaurant, Paula also had her first cookbook published. She has since published several more cookbooks. She received the great honor of getting the “International Meal of the Year” award from USA Today. Today Paula has two shows on the Food Network. Her second restaurant, Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House, was opened with her little brother, Bubba. In 2005, her new magazine came out, Cooking With Paula Deen.
And guess what? Paula can now add the job of actress to her already abundant professions. She landed a role in Elizabethtown, starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. Her cooking is showcased in the 2005 movie. How did I miss that?
A New Personal Beginning
In 2004 Paula was married to Michael Groover, a tugboat pilot. The wedding was taped by the food network and aired for all to enjoy Paula’s happiness. Two years later, she welcomed the arrival of her first grandson, Jack. The first child of her son Jamie and his wife, Brooke.
Paula’s Statistics
Born: Paula Ann Hiers
Date of Birth: January 19, 1947 in Albany Georgia
Marriages: 2 marriages, the second to Michael Groover
Children: 2 sons, Jaimie and Bobby Deen
Grandchildren: 1, Jack, child of Jaimie and Brooke Deen
Restaurants: 2, The Lady and Sons and Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House
Current
tv shows: 2, Paula’s Home Cooking (2002 – current) and Paula’s Party (2006 to current)
Awards: 2007 Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Host
2007 Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Program
International Meal of the Year Award
Books: The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook
The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook 2
Paula Deen Celebrates
Paula Deen and Friends: Living it up, Country Style
Christmas with Paula Dean: Recipes and Stories
Paula Deens, My First Cookbook
The Lady and Son’s Just Desserts
Paula Deens Chocolate Celebration
Paula Deen: It Ain’t All About Cooking
Recipe
Our version of Paula Deen’s Cheese Biscuits
Cheese and Herb Drop Biscuits
Ingredients
2 cups self rising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Rosemary
2 tablespoons Basil, chopped
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/3 cup shortening
¾ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine all dry ingredients, mix well. Cut in shortening until crumbly. Combine milk and honey until mixed thoroughly. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and stir just until mixed.
Drop biscuits by tablespoon, or desired size, onto greased baking sheet. Bake for 14 – 15 minutes. Makes 15 to 20 biscuits.
