Anthony Bourdain calls Paula Deen ‘the worst, most dangerous person to America’
Anthony Bourdain is happy to smack down celebrity food personalities. CREDIT: AP
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Anthony Bourdain has never been shy about his opinions. Just read his book “Kitchen Confidential” or listen to him on his Travel Channel show “No Reservations.”
In the current print edition of TV Guide magazine, he also sounds off on various celebrity chefs, including Savannah’s own Paula Deen, whose buttery blood might boil if she read this:
“The worst, most dangerous person to America is clearly Paula Deen. She revels in unholy connections with evil corporations and she’s proud of the fact that her food is f–king bad for you [...] plus, her food sucks.”
“No Reservations,” Mondays 9 p.m. Travel Channel
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By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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369 comments Add your comment
Peter
August 17th, 2011
5:57 pm
Paula Dean is making big bucks, that is wonderful for her……and the folks who eat her food I am sure are mostly obese.
kevin
August 17th, 2011
5:57 pm
bamabelle,
fyi, bourdain quite smoking some 5 or so years ago.
BIOMASS
August 17th, 2011
5:58 pm
I don’t like either one of them. If I had to pick one, I would say Dean is slightly more dangerous to the public. Bordain’s glorification of drug use is disgusting and I don’t wish him well.
Keeping it real
August 17th, 2011
6:00 pm
Tony is the man!!!Im from Savannah and Ms.Wilkes is 10times better
deegee
August 17th, 2011
6:01 pm
You go, Anthony Bourdain! Paula Deen grosses me out when she stuffs a fistful of deep fried, slathered in butter or topped with whipped cream high calorie food into her ever expanding jowls. Her chin and her chest have become one. BTW, you can say y’all without saying y’aaaaaaaal.
Mad Russian
August 17th, 2011
6:02 pm
He speaks his mind and says what he believes. Most of the plebes here seem to think Deen is some form of legitimate chef. She’s a country chef, makes country food, and in general, the stuff isn’t that great. Bourdain is my homie as far as I’m concerned.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 17th, 2011
6:02 pm
To paraphrase Al Capone, You got an all out prizefight, you compare bank accounts, and THATS how you know who won! My Guess is Paula is laughing all the way to the bank, and since I am utterly materialistic, I applaud her, though I wouldn’t let her feed me.
Grits
August 17th, 2011
6:04 pm
Unimportant people critisize people who have succeeded out of pure jealousy and spite. Anthony Bourdain is just trying to get his name in print.
Dirty South TV
August 17th, 2011
6:06 pm
“Bravo is one of the best networks on Cable TV there sparky”
savannah miss
August 17th, 2011
6:09 pm
im born and raised in Savannah. Never had Paula Deen but i tell ya my family and I used to love some Ms Wilkes. Great Southern Comfort Food…..but Savannah is much more than that. We have some of the freshest and best tasting seafood in the South. We knew a man who had a shrimp boat and use to sell us the shrimp right off the boat……and loads of blue crabs. mmmm love it…..Love Andrew and his show cant lie…..
Dave
August 17th, 2011
6:11 pm
I’ve eaten Paula Dean’s food twice and while Bourdain’s opinion is a bit overboard, I’d not recommend her “cuisine.” Mostly tasteless, poorly cooked. Go to Waffle House, or a meat and three if it isn’t time for breakfast – you’ll get a better version of the same stuff at half the price.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
August 17th, 2011
6:12 pm
For the record, Good eats reruns beat the hell out of anything else the food network has now…
Love ya, Alton!
bubbarex
August 17th, 2011
6:14 pm
I refuse to encourage Boredain by attacking Paula. Regardless of whether his comments have merit, Boredain is a Douche Rocket (someone who exceeds the rating of douche bag by such a phenomenal level that they must have been launched into douchebaggedness by some form of highly flammable fuel).
Daniel
August 17th, 2011
6:14 pm
Everything Bourdain said is 100% true. Paula Dean should be ashamed of herself. She is a corporate butt puppet dressed as an obnoxious southern stereotype. What he said about the other food network stars is spot on as well. Notice he isn’t bashing Alton Brown, because he actually has talent when it comes to the culinary arts and television.
Velveeta Smith
August 17th, 2011
6:15 pm
Airbrushed pig Paula Deen is an embarrassment to anything human.
B. Thenet
August 17th, 2011
6:17 pm
A former French chef who delights in offal questioning the overall healthiness of others cooking is chuckle worthy at the very least.
I do feel bad for all the talented southern chefs in this city that the face of Southern cooking to many in this country is that cheezy ham Paula Deen, but we do have guys like Blais and Brown to even up the playing field a little bit.
Sky
August 17th, 2011
6:17 pm
Am glad Tony called out some of these fluffers. Paula Deen is a flake, as is Rachael Ray. He’s dead accurate about Guy. People who cook should not look like that. AB is all that network has. The
show Network Star is another joke. Got Booby Flay and whatever her name is telling the contestants
they should act like this, or do this, but watch their shows, they don’t do what they’re demanding the
contestants to do. Its AB and Bourdain. Wolfgang and the guy at elBulli are semi retired. Peace Out.
lrogers13
August 17th, 2011
6:18 pm
I have to say that I am very surprised at the two people who claimed Alton Brown is not a very nice person (I’m being generous here). I also live near him and have met him on many, many occasions and he has always been kind, gracious, polite, and accommodating. Long before I ever met him I emailed him numerous times with questions and he answered back promptly and shared a lot of personal information that certainly led me to believe that it was truly him responding. I believe that for the most part people treat you the way you treat them, and that is perhaps the answer to this mystery.
Ruthie
August 17th, 2011
6:19 pm
I was raised to know that if you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all. That only leaves only one thing for me to say. Mr. Bordain, bless your heart!
Martha Weber
August 17th, 2011
6:20 pm
Enter your comments here
Thrash
August 17th, 2011
6:21 pm
What do all the people have in common that Anthony dissed? Their shows all have higher ratings than his. Jerk.
Martha Weber
August 17th, 2011
6:22 pm
What a jerk…he obviously does not realize how southern women stick together! He’s the bad guy here! Paula is a hard working lady…who had it rough for a long time…and now he’s shooting her down…let him walk her shoes …. he’ll wind up shoeless!!!!
Needleintheeye
August 17th, 2011
6:24 pm
I would rather take a needle in the eye that listen to her over-done southern drawl. It is all image. She sells an image of a southerner that I would rather not see. Only tourists eat at her place.
RGB
August 17th, 2011
6:28 pm
Who is Anthony Bourdain? I suppose both people who watch The Travel Channel know the answer but I never heard of him.
With his comment about “unholy connections with evil corporations” he could be a Democrat member of Congress. Both know little about being holy or about corporations.
Kevin
August 17th, 2011
6:35 pm
There’s nothing worse than a self-hating Southerner that is fixated on non-Southerners’ perceptions of the South.
Y’all make me sick to my stomach.
jt williams
August 17th, 2011
6:35 pm
he gets on my nerves sometimes, but he’s ok with me. and it’s mainly because he seems to be up-front. but i don’t know that for sure, because clearly, the box is full of lies. almost everything is a hoax, i lived in LA and worked on a lot of sets to know. but i knew before it was confirmed. paula dean, aw man…she’s ok, but anything tastes good with enough fat/salt/sugar in it. but that’s cool too…
snoopy
August 17th, 2011
6:40 pm
What an absolute jerk he is. Paula is a national treasure.
Jacob
August 17th, 2011
6:50 pm
Man, so much hate being thrown out there about people most, if none, of you have ever met. Bourdain is a highly talented Chef. I’ve read his book, eaten at Les Halles in NYC, and watch his show. So what if he’s an a-hole. His food and book are good. And his show is one of the only travel shows out there that depicts an accurate representation of the culture and people of the places he goes. As for Dean, she is what she is. A fun, entertaining, TV show host. If you find either one of them annoying, turn the f’ ing channel. Jeez!!
Southern
August 17th, 2011
6:53 pm
He’s a damn yankey, what do you expect? Most of them are jerks! They move down here cause it sucks up there and then criticize the south. Go back if you don’t like it!!!!!
tb
August 17th, 2011
7:00 pm
Am I the only one that likes them both? They both have their place and are great at what they do.
Ate at the old Lady and Sons and it was fantastic. Have heard nothing but bad things from the new one. Still, the criticism here is over the top. She is cackling all the way to the bank.
Bordain’s show is good and his way of giving the finger to traditional shows is part of his appeal. But he stepped over the line on this. But that is why we like him, right?
FEAR
August 17th, 2011
7:00 pm
Ok…um…..this was about food. Why are you idiots bringing politics into this? Simpletons.
Gary
August 17th, 2011
7:00 pm
I was ok with Bordain. His shows and books are pretty good. Saw him live at the cobb energy center. It was pretty entertaining. Insulting other cooks is just what he does and what his fans expect. After seeing him on Bill Marr on HBO, decided it was time to let go. No more for me thanks.
really?
August 17th, 2011
7:01 pm
He may be right…..but this is just more publicity for him to get his ratings up…and it will probably work. Chef beef….really? LOL!
Uppity Yankee Jerk Who Thinks He's So Great
August 17th, 2011
7:04 pm
@Southern
That’s OK, I think I’ll stay. It’s so much easier to find employment and get women when I’m competing with Southern men.
Gwen Lansing
August 17th, 2011
7:05 pm
If this guy thinks Paula Deen is the worst threat, etc., then he needs to get a life. What a loser.Does he really think cooking make that much difference to the world?????
luxomni
August 17th, 2011
7:07 pm
When Paula started, she talked like a normal Southern woman of her age. It’s the producers that have her ramp up the “y’alls” to the obnoxious level. I applaud Paula Deen for her pluck and determination. Her recipes aren’t too bad either. Bourdain has an entertaining show, but he seems to be a bit of a pretentious prima dona. I guess his ego can’t stand any competition.
matt
August 17th, 2011
7:11 pm
Preach on Tony, preach on. Not everything tastes better with a stick of butter. I feel my arteries clogging just from watching Ms. Deen cook.
My Two Cents
August 17th, 2011
7:12 pm
I agree with you “Southern”. As long as Delta is flying all of the better than we are attitude Yankees can go home any day of the week. This guy is an arrogant Yankee …sounds like he is jealous!
Savannahian
August 17th, 2011
7:12 pm
I’m from Savannah, and still live here, and agree 1,000% with “Former Savannahian”, Paula Deen’s food is NOTHING compared to Mrs.Wilkes’. I’m not saying it isn’t good, but Mrs. Wilkes is GREAT! Although Paula has done alot for Savannah, and brought tons of tourism to our city, she makes us look so stupid sometimes. Yes, we do say y’all, but it’s not every other word that comes out of our mouths. And her “southern accent” is fake. If you watch her old shows, she doesn’t sound anything like she does now….she actually sounds like a true southerner. And by the way she’s not even from Savannah originally, she’s from Albany….
Vince Doodley
August 17th, 2011
7:21 pm
Paula deen sucks out loud. Im from Georgia and cant stand her show. She is visually repulsive and the show itself cooks crap. My sisters family went to see her live at a mall in Atlanta and she didnt even cook. Just hocked her books. Dont even get me started on Rachel Ray. The world should be a Rachel Ray free zone. That little heffer cant cook and is one cookie shy of being a porker on her own.
gerry
August 17th, 2011
7:25 pm
Why is it necessay to talk about someone. I don’t remember Paula Dean begging for anyone to eat her food or eat in her place of business. She owns a business and if you like her food then by all means go and eat it and if you don’t then stay away. Very simple!
Savannahian
August 17th, 2011
7:32 pm
P.S. And by the way, even though her food isn’t excellent, I would consider her the worst person in America. Someone else already has that position and I think her name is Casey Anthony….
Savannahian
August 17th, 2011
7:32 pm
*wouldn’t….sorry
Stephanie
August 17th, 2011
7:35 pm
Enter your comments here
mike
August 17th, 2011
7:35 pm
Georgians are some of the fattest people in the country , so they are going to naturally pull for Paula ” throw a stick of butter in it” Dean. She has a following but she isn’t a chef. She is essentially owner of a country cooking restaurant.
Stephanie
August 17th, 2011
7:37 pm
I’ve eaten at both Lady & Sons and Miss Wilkes and I am falling on the side of Miss Wilkes’ for delicious Southern food. The Lady & Sons food was quite unimpressive and VERY overpriced.
In addition I’ve also eaten at Les Halles in NYC. Amazing French bistro fare. Highly recommended.
R Michael Haskins
August 17th, 2011
7:41 pm
You idiots are just jealous over how bloody rich Paula is now. Rock on, Paula!!!
Gerard. Southern Boy.
August 17th, 2011
7:43 pm
Tony needs to tone down his comments, they are mean spirited. I enjoy his show but over the years, less. Tony needs to watch out, he is running out of employers.
As for Paula Deen, well! As a Georgia Boy and chef, her faux southern accent is sickening. Nobody talks like that. As to her unhealthy cooking, that’s not her fault, it’s just the way it is down south. All she has to do is tone down the hokey accent.
Bill v
August 17th, 2011
7:44 pm
I don’t think half the people on here even know who Anthony Bourdain is. Andrew Zimmern is the guy who eats all the disgusting stuff. You probably shouldn’t comment on things when you don’t know what you are talking about. Bourdain is a chef turned author, who definitely knows his food.
tim
August 17th, 2011
7:47 pm
Bourdain is an a$$hole. He may be respected by chefs but he is not liked. I find it interesting that the people criticized in the article are all well-liked. Sounds like he could use a course in manners.