Last updated : Friday, September 18, 2009

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Paula Deen Has Tips for Moms

Known for her savory Southern cooking, and of course her relationship with her two sons, Jamie and Bobby, Paula Deen understands the connection between food and family. Starting over twenty years ago with a small catering company, Deen would make sandwiches that her sons would sell to office workers during lunch. The brand became so popular that she opened up her own restaurant, which continues to welcome swarms of soul-food lovers every day. Deen spoke with iMag about food, love and the constant process of becoming a chef. 

Food and family seem to be two major parts of your life…
My earliest memory is being 3-years-old, running in and out of the door at my grandma’s restaurant. So, from an early age there was food around constantly – ham, collard greens, chicken ‘n dumplings – it was always a big part of our life, and everyone’s lives, from early on. My family is also extremely close – we live within a 2-mile radius! So, the two have always been a huge part of my life!

You are extremely close with your two sons. How have your children affected your career?
They’ve had a huge presence in my business. My restaurant [in Savannah] went from The Bag Lady, to The Lady when I moved downtown. We’d been in business six years, and I sat my sons down and said to them, half of this is yours if you want it – but only if you work for it. And that’s when “& Sons” went up.

I had no idea that it would make women weak-kneed to hear our story. You hear a lot about boys following in their fathers’ footsteps, but almost never do you hear of sons following their mother.

But my sons – they were the reasons I got up every day. We struggled [financially] my whole married life, and I wanted to some day do something to give them a boost. I wanted to give them wings. The only way I knew how to do that was to involve them in the business. I never thought it would turn into this!

What do you absolutely have to have in your kitchen?
1. A cast iron frying pan
2. A cast iron dutch oven
3. A big pot, a big big pot
4. My granny’s spatula that I’ve had forever – made of stainless steel.
5. Butter!

What are some cooking tips for parents on the go?
Well, the first thing I can say is, give it a little thought and get items that are versatile. For instance – a nice big ham, totally cooked. You can slice it, have breakfast, lunch and dinner ready to go. If you keep a Smithville ham, some frozen biscuits, puff pastries and corn in the house, you have everything you’d need for three great meals right there.
Also, keep things in your pantry, in your kitchen so you have them handy and don’t have to run to the store constantly.

And, give us a few pieces of advice for the beginner chef?
1. Don’t set goals too high.
2. Go right by the recipe the first time, but then after that make it your own.
3. Don’t box yourself in.
4. And most important, don’t beat yourself up over a failed recipe. If it doesn’t turn out, give it to the dogs and order a pizza!

For more on cooking, go to the Food section.

 

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