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
Mosell
August 18th, 2011
7:56 am
Paula Dean? The Most Dangerous person to America?? You have got to be kidding me. Turn off the damn TV. We are 14.1 TRILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT and Paula Dean is the most dangerous person to America.
what?
August 18th, 2011
8:03 am
Are you serious?
People wake up-liberal whackos are going to tell us what to et?
I use butter alot and I am not lard A– like alot of people.
His disdain is hypocritical -would he go after the Neeleys? Doubt it….
Dave in Marieta
August 18th, 2011
8:05 am
He’s telling the truth. The Food Network is nothing but a bunch of self-promoting hacks who can’t cook. Bobby Flay is about the last decent honest to goodness chef left on the network. The rest of their shows are amateurish cooks who have neither the skills or the originality of a true chef. I’m glad he’s calling them out for what they pass off as good food. I don’t dislike Paula but she is a sellout and her 15 minutes should be over.
pw
August 18th, 2011
8:16 am
Anthony is weird anyway. Paula is a down home cook whose food is delish (nod to Rachel). Why is it necessary to try to tear others down in order to make yourself feel superior. Thankfully both of these ladies are classy enough to ignore you. All food is not for everyone and if you don’t like what Paula or Rachel or even Sandra (who I’m not a big fan of)cook then turn to channel and don’t try the recipes.
My goodness.
pw
August 18th, 2011
8:16 am
I meant turn the channel.
SavannahLife
August 18th, 2011
8:24 am
I agree with AB. Paula Deen’s food is not good at all. I don’t know that many people in Savannah who would actually go to that crap hole that is called Lady and Sons. It is an over-rated buffet line. Yes, the lines are long to get in, mainly b/c of all the tourist who want to see Paula Deen, which isn’t happening. It might have been better back in the day when she was actually involved in it, but I doubt you see her there unless it is some publicity stunt. Her sons are really nice, friendly guys though! I get to play softball against them every year!
ideas
August 18th, 2011
8:37 am
Bourdain is a depressed Yankee. He hates everybody but himself. If he would just look inward, he would see that his personality and knowledge of good food is so whacked. Lving in Brooklyn all his life has left him so void of knowing what is good food or even for that matter a good and happy life. If you notice on his show, it and he are such a downer I could never believe anyone would put this hack on the air. He has nothing to offer except to make you think you have a good life and a good personality, COMPARED TO HIS. I do not personaly know
Paula, Sandra or even Emeril. By the way he holds Emeril in the same esteem that he has for Paula. Why does he not realize he is the most miserable person on earth and he cannot stand anyone who is funnier, better at cooking, better personality, more well liked, has a better show, oh hell anything better than this depression ridden piece of crap. If anyone watches his show and likes it, You must just look at your own depression and think how well off you are. He is a mental case.
Showman
August 18th, 2011
8:38 am
I waiting in line for Paula’s place Lady and Sons in Savannah for a huge let down. Food was terrible.
Laura
August 18th, 2011
8:39 am
Bourdain will get the last laugh when Deen’s strokes out from eating WAY too much butter and crap from her own kitchen. Bourdain’s show is always thought provoking and shows the world and its people cooking and eating whatever is near their home. I can’t bear to watch Deen waddle around a kitchen rattling her jewelery – she is a living caricature of middle-aged southern women. She’s definately in my dead pool because she eats loads of chow that is of little nutritional value, and only exercises her fat arms by filling her gaping piehole and whipping up more butter and cream. Yuck.
Bama Aaron
August 18th, 2011
8:40 am
I don’t understand all the Paula Deen bashing. I’ve met her a couple times and visited her restaurant and frankly I loved both her and her food. Bordain is a pompus jerk and I can’t sit through 5min of his show before I’m forced to change the channel. Food Network is better off without him.
The Alpha Male
August 18th, 2011
8:41 am
Sounds like sour grapes from a guy who was fired from Food Network because nobody gave a crap about watching him eat whale sperm and coyote milk.
Bhukkhar
August 18th, 2011
8:41 am
Paula Dean should do a porn video with Fabio. They both won’t believe it goes in like butter.
ceph
August 18th, 2011
8:44 am
Paula is an ambarrassment to the state of Georgia. As much exposure as she has had she has not learned anything. If she had to go through the qualifying that is now in place to become the Next
Food Channel Star she couldn’t get in the front door. I don’t know if eveyone is aware of it but all those dishes she prepares are created by the food channels chefs, once she gets past pork and beans with weiners she is done. I have eaten that slop she serves and it is terrible!!!!! When they had the celebrity chefs cook off from the thirteen states our esteemed Gov. Purdue picked Paula to represent us (what a joke) Paula’s dish looked like something a child would create. You could tell the other chef’s were embarrassed for her. I guess she made up for it by running around the other chef’s and acting like an idiot. She is nothing more or less than a hash house cook. (By the way I am from the South and I love Southern cooking . She prepares food as if she thinks people from the North think it should taste this way)
Jed Clampett
August 18th, 2011
8:49 am
I was wondering…..Delta is ready when you are.
Tarheel
August 18th, 2011
8:50 am
Bourdain is Culinary Institute of America trained chef. His hsow has done several episodse through out the Southeast. He has praised Southern cuisne before, mainly New Orleans and Charleston. He knows what he’s talking about people. Paula’s food is average on a good day. She is more media hype than anything.
Goofball
August 18th, 2011
8:54 am
Bourdain is such a toolshed. He’s spot-on with all of the people he talks about, but shows how much of a liberal wimp he is giving Sandra Lee credit. He’s probably afraid the Cuomo liberal mafia is going to turn on him. Grow a pair, you Marfin’s case!
katherine
August 18th, 2011
8:55 am
I don’t particularly follow Paula Dean nor use her recipes; but, as a southern girl, appreciate the fact that she is a NICE lady. Unlike…….
Sam
August 18th, 2011
8:56 am
Kevin’s comment, 8/17 at 6:35pm hit the nail right on the head. This bunch of self-hating Southerners make my stomach turn, too. Quit worrying about what the rest of the country thinks. We have a thing called “heritage” here and you should be proud of it. Cable TV and the internet are killing it. Foster it, people, or become homogenized and crappy, indistinguishable from Cleveland or Wichita. Come on, already.
Boo
August 18th, 2011
8:56 am
If I catch my husband watching Bourdain again, he will be in the back bedroom for a while. If you are really from South Ga.(I mean all of your life and your Mother all of her life and you are over 20), then you know a real “ya’ll” when you hear it. If you know Paula’s story, then you know that this public life is not a journey that she purposely started for herself. Her story is one of survival as a single Mother. People liked her food and the rest is history. If you don’t like her food or the way she cooks her food, then stay away and keep your opinions to your self. “Bless your hearts!”
Keith
August 18th, 2011
8:57 am
SORRY PAULA IS FROM ALBANY GA
ALBANY GA…AND HERE FOOD SUCKS. FAT UNHEALTHY FOOD…EAT THAT DAILY AND DIE. MUCH LOVE FOR ANTHONY….ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS ON TV.
Born and raised in Georgia a True Southern Cook
August 18th, 2011
9:06 am
To all the wonderful people and their comments. I have eaten at the Lady and Sons. I also have eaten at Bubba’s Place (Paula Deen’s brother’s restaurant). My daughter and I ate at both places and she said if she did not know better she would have thought that I had cooked it. I was taught at a very young age how to cook true southern cuisine. Yes Paula does pour it on a little thick with her accent. But that is the way alot of us do sound to yankees. Mr Bourdian may be a “Chef”. But I bet he could not hold a candle to a true southern cook. To all you people that think our true southern cusine will kill you NOT. Because a true southern cook will use fresh food from the garden and it will not be full of all the preservatives. I do alot of canning every year. When I cooked every night for my family we were not fat. I cooked with lard, crisco, fatback, Now we are all a little over weight (including yankees). Why because everyone eats out and you do not know what is in the food that you eat. I prefer to eat at home. Because I do not like other people touching my food. Everyone cooks different. That is what makes the world go round. But I would not allow Anthony Bourdain in my kitchen. Since he likes to eat weird stuff I have a pasture full of cow patties that he could try. All the food shows are just a gimmick to get people pulled in.You can take any recipe and make it as high fat or low fat as you want. Use your imagination.
JoeV
August 18th, 2011
9:08 am
If you are a true Southerner and you actually like the disgusting, fake manner that Paula Deen portrays us…well…you are an idiot. Someone stop this beast from making us look like the overweight, ignorant hicks that most of the country thinks we are.
Paula Deen is certainly bad for America; but she is definitely one of the worst enemies of good, intelligent, Southern people.
Prince Albert
August 18th, 2011
9:11 am
@ Bhukkhar “Paula Dean should do a porn video with Fabio”.
It would not work out. Fabio would want to use a tub of ” I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” and Paula would insist on using a stick of “Land O’ Lakes”. Maybe Bourdain could join them?
delois
August 18th, 2011
9:13 am
I agree with him. My husband and I have eaten at Paula’s place in Savannah plus a couple of her casino restaurants and the food is just crap. Bordain has a huge ego but I enjoy his show – gives you some good insight into local culture.
George W. Bush
August 18th, 2011
9:13 am
“Anthony Bourdain calls Paula Deen ‘the worst, most dangerous person to America”.
Apparently, AB has never heard of Barack Obama.
Kirk
August 18th, 2011
9:13 am
Someone forgot that all these shows and the people that star in them are for entertainment purposes only. Do not attempt any of this at home.
Marsh
August 18th, 2011
9:17 am
Way to be an a$$ about it, JoeV. Here’s an idea: move.
And to the “person” that said “Paula and her corn-pone show are clearly for the OTP, Cracker Barrel crowd:” got a newsflash for you. OTP is a lot bigger than you think, douche. Remove head from arse, look around, learn something.
Judy
August 18th, 2011
9:18 am
This is what gets me…food is a matter of taste. I love vegetables, my husband hates them. Some people like salty others like sweets. So who’s to say if something is tastes good or not. I agree that butter and fried is bad for you, but it’s yummy to eat ever-so-often. I’ve seen Bourdain’s show and personally think he’s boring. I like Zimmerman better, but I’m sure that others will disagree. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but they don’t have to be mean about it. Maybe his ratings are down and he needed some publicity. hmmmm?
Jason
August 18th, 2011
9:23 am
As far as I am concerned, Bourdain’s assessment of Ms. Deen and her cooking is right on the money.
Bosco Television
August 18th, 2011
9:25 am
Tony graduated from the CIA. He is opinionated, who cares, arent we all. Tony is where he is because he worked his ass off in kitchens, not like some of the others. He’s probably the most liked, among restaurant employees, than the others. He’s done it, read his books.
Tyler
August 18th, 2011
9:26 am
Marsh, before you preach to someone about “learning something”, perhaps you should have someone proof-read your posts. Product of the APS?
Bosco Television
August 18th, 2011
9:27 am
Judy, No Reservations was just nominated for more Emmys.
Brown Eyed Girl!
August 18th, 2011
9:31 am
I have to admit a couple of things. First, the Food Network has become so saturated with random cooking shows that I don’t watch it nearly as much as I used to. Their approach to food used to be from a pure creative stance. The only show right now that does that is Chopped, which is my favorite next to The Best Thing I Ever Ate. I watch the Food Channel more because they explore so many other aspects of food. It’s a fresh take, and I would say, it is what the Food Network was when it first started. On Food Network, it just seems to be more about the marketing and less about the food. Why would I pay $10 for Rachel Ray’s EVOO when I can go to the Mediterranean market and get enough authentic olive oil to last a year for $9 more.
Second, I happen to like Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservation. He had gone to regions of the world that I have never heard of and introduced me to foods that I never knew existed. He shows you the simplicity of food all over the world that we are completely missing out on here. There is nothing like eating lamb that has been simply seasoned with sea or kosher salt and grilled…and its healthier to boot. He has also done shows that show us the culture of other places and reveal humanity. I was moved to tears watching the show he did in Haiti a few months following the earthquakes. I learned about the food, I learned about the people and though I had no preconceived ideas, I saw the fighting spirit of the people that lived there. I appreciate what Paula has done for Georgia in general and Savannah specifically, but I have to say that over the years she has became more of caricature! I want her to be what she was when she started and I guess that is too much to ask. As for her food, $25 is a bit much for a buffet to me and I honestly have not heard very good reviews on the restaurants.
I am a native Georgian (Macon) and I know good southern food when I taste it. Paula is an exaggeration of how we cook. No, we do not use mounds of butter in our food, even before we became more conscious of our health. Before the introduction of smoked turkey products, my mother made greens that would make you slap yo momma without using any pork. The reality is, she caters to a segment of the population that love her just like Oprah, Phil, and Emeril! Anthony caters to a different segment! I think there is room for both!
By the way, I think it has already been stated, but AB does not eat grilled bugs and eyeballs. That distinction goes to Andrew Zimmern and I don’t like his show! Too over the top!
Life'sgoodDude
August 18th, 2011
9:42 am
Despite your opinion of Mr Bourdain, he right about Paula Dean and the rest of the “Celebrity Chef” crowd. Sometimes it takes a person who’s a bit of a dick to have the nuts to tell the truth about things that everybody else likes. Likes SO much that they willingly blind themselves from the truth of it. I applaud him for not only opening his mouth and talking crap about some of the most annoying people on T.V, but also taking his own advise and not cooking anymore. He even was able to continue having a hit show without lighting one gas burner, or using an ounce of Creme Fraiche.
Graham
August 18th, 2011
9:42 am
Bourdain putting down Paula?? Have you seen what that guy eats in foreign countries? He will eat ANYTHING…………….LOL
JoeV
August 18th, 2011
9:42 am
@Marsh
Why would I want to move? I am trying to say that we do not fit the image in which Paula Deen portrays us. We aren’t ignorant hicks, but if Paula Deen has her way everyone on the planet will think we are. This woman DOES NOT represent good, intelligent, Southern people. She is a fraud and she panders to the ignorant in our demographic.
Shawn Demery
August 18th, 2011
9:52 am
I’d like to get Paula Dean and Nancy Grace on a bed of butter noodles. hey Paula has been promoting Smithfield Hams. They are well known for animal cruelty. Bourdain does not promote any products and turned down many offers. He has integrity.
I’m Shawn Demery, now with 30% more lemon freshness.. .99X
Graham
August 18th, 2011
9:56 am
LOL Bourdain would eat cow dung if it was fried to show how sophisticated he was!!
J. J.
August 18th, 2011
10:07 am
Match heer income…Hater…people eat what they want, any way they want….WHAT A JERK!!!!!
YALL HOMEBOYS REALLY INOW HOW TO HATE….
frommiami
August 18th, 2011
10:11 am
Who cares what he thinks. I never watch his show because he is a pompous ass. As far as Paula Deen’s “unhealthy” food is concerned, no one is forced to eat it. I am sick and tired of the food police trying to dictate what we all eat.
phishinau
August 18th, 2011
10:16 am
Again, AB does not eat bugs, dung, rats, or anything of the sort on the show. He may have done so in the past at his own leisure, but who knows. I’ve been to Lady and Son’s and the best part about it was leaving. If all of you people who say you’re true “southern cooks” and that her food is as good or better than yours then you must be using the same canned ingredients from CISCO. Not to knock her, she knows how to make a dime, and is one of the few people in Savannah to actually own her building (which takes a boatload of money) so she’s doing something right. But please when making opinions, or throwing judgment around know the facts. AB has done really well for himself, overcome obstacles and is incredibly successful; as is Paula. I’m sure she could give a sh!t what AB says and vice versa. He happens to be opinionated and people like him for it or hate him for it.
tim
August 18th, 2011
10:22 am
Paula Deens stick is getting old. What doesn’t she put her name on. She makes southerners look like uneducated idiots. Y’all is getting old and worn!
savannah girl
August 18th, 2011
10:36 am
Paula Dean’s restaurant has a line outside full of TOURISTS who have NO CLUE how bad her food is. I live in Savannah and it’s all smoke and mirrors with her and dumb tourists fall for it because Paula Dean is “famous” Her food blows!
Savannah Girl
August 18th, 2011
10:39 am
Paula Dean’s restaurant has a line outside full of TOURISTS who have NO CLUE how bad her food is. I live in Savannah and it’s all smoke and mirrors with her and dumb tourists fall for it because Paula Dean is “famous” Her food blows!
Dave in Marietta
August 18th, 2011
10:41 am
God forbid someone like Anthony to point out the obvious. I used to like Paula but after seeing her make bread pudding for the hundredth time, it’s obvious she has shown us all she has to offer.
urban redneck
August 18th, 2011
10:45 am
can we vote for neither? bordain is pompous, and paula deen annoys me with her over-the-top accent.
Bourdain is Brutally Honest
August 18th, 2011
11:13 am
“she’s proud of the fact that her food is f–king bad for you” and she hid her diabetes, too. He doesn’t claim to be the greatest chef. His show is about travels. And if he wants to play critic – like the rest of us – he has a right to. And the fact is I used to also think Bourdain is a d-bag. At times he can be, but after watching enough of his shows I realized people probably hate him because he’s brutally honest.
Bill
August 18th, 2011
11:34 am
@jaypat Only Paula Deen is “southern” and the only one that cooks “southern”. Emeril is from MA, Brown is from California. Also, Kevin Rathbun is from KC and Blais is from NY.
WTF is with people’s weird obsession with being “southern”? Nobody cares.
Graham
August 18th, 2011
12:04 pm
Paula Dean is super successful and the jealous hounds are out in force. I only eat Paula’s food when I am in Savannah. Fried chicken,etc won’t kill ya if you do it in moderation. Ask the tourist people how much they love Paula! She brings the tourists to Chatham Co
Shawn
August 18th, 2011
12:27 pm
To everyone who is saying that Anthony Bourdain is an idiot or whatever, and that Paula Dean is a genious, get to the gym. Because you’re obviously sitting at your computer, stuffing a stick of fried butter down your throat as we speak. OR, if you’re not fat, you have high cholestorol or some other form of food induced sickness. Paula Dean will be the death of her followers. Heart attack waiting to happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!