The recent headline read, “Former Food Network Star Deen Shutters Restaurants.” The article declaring, “Culinary star Paula Deen has abruptly shut off the burners at her popular Georgia restaurants.”
Since 1996 Paula Deen, along with her two sons Jamie and Bobby ran Savannah’s, The Lady & Sons restaurant. It was their core eatery.
My husband and I were privileged to have dined there. At the time, nearly twenty-years ago, the evening line to be seated inside could run all the way around the downtown city block. Luckily, our long-held reservation gained us prompt entrance and dinner seating.
If you remember 20th-century downtown department stores (with their large plate glass showcase windows) you can picture the outside of Deen’s restaurant. It was housed, on a sidewalk corner, in just such a building. The restaurant helped revitalize Savannah’s downtown district.
From inside, diners could look out onto Savannah’s streets. Adjacent to the restaurant was a large gift shop, selling all things related to the Deen brand. Bestselling cookbooks, cookware, linens, you name it, there was something Paula Deen that could be purchased to take home.
Paula Deen, restaurant chef and former TV host was discovered by the Food Network and continued to charm a loyal fan base long after the Food Network canceled her show amid public disgrace. Of course, there were those who considered her calorie rich menu items much too unhealthy, while others liked her creatively prepared rich food.
My Paula Deen inspired recipe attempt came about when I saw a holiday meal segment of Good Morning America, wrapping your whole turkey in bacon before roasting in the oven. They said this added flavor and the turkey didn’t require basting. Credit was not given to Paula Deen.
During a visit from our adult grandson, I tried the appealing GMA recommended recipe. The moist turkey slices were not only a winner with Matthew, they were with my husband and me also.
Matthew informed me it was an attributed Paula Deen recipe and due to preparing a famed chef’s elevated turkey recipe, I scored bonus culinary points with him.
