Known for her rich Southern comfort food recipes and engaging television personality, chef Paula Deen faced career turmoil following a 2013 controversy. But now, over a decade later in 2024 at age 77, Deen has reclaimed her status as the beloved “Queen of Southern Cuisine” through successful comebacks on various food shows and publications, restaurant openings, endorsement deals, social media savvy, and ongoing philanthropic efforts. In this article, we will learn about What is Paula Deen Doing Now.
Paula Deen’s Current Projects and Ventures
The Magazine – “Cooking With Paula Deen”
Deen publishes the bimonthly magazine Cooking With Paula Deen featuring her recipes, lifestyle content, and a candid glimpse into her world. With over 1 million subscribers gaining home cooking inspiration from Deen, the magazine has been going strong since debuting in 2005.
“Y’all keep cookin’ with me now!” Deen says, referring affectionately to her loyal following.
Family-Style Restaurants
Deen has expanded her string of Southern-inspired family restaurants across the country in recent years. Visiting a Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen location promises hearty comfort cuisine in a charming, personal atmosphere reminiscent of Deen herself.
| Location | Opening Year |
|---|---|
| Pigeon Forge, TN | 2017 |
| Branson, MO | 2020 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 2023 |
“I just want to welcome everyone to my table,” Deen says.
Latest Recipes and Cookbooks
Deen keeps fans fed with regular cookbook releases. Recent additions highlighting her signature Southern style include Paula Deen’s Southern Baking and One Dish, Four Ways. She shares exclusives through her magazine and demos creative recipes on talk shows.
“I get my joy from cooking up food that hugs your soul,” says Deen.
Examining Deen’s Comeback From Controversy
Renewed TV Opportunities
Following damaging accusations in 2013, Food Network refused to renew Deen’s contract, leaving her distraught. But Deen regained TV exposure through competition appearances on Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. Fan support helped rebuild her confidence.
“My fans wrapped their arms around me, so I knew I couldn’t give up,” says Deen.
She subsequently launched a successful web show Positively Paula in 2017.
Social Media Presence
Deen has rebuilt her brand power by leveraging digital media, engaging over 7.5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Her posts featuring cooking videos, behind-the-scenes looks and promotional content drive brand partnerships.
“Social media allows me to connect personally with supporters,” explains Deen of her strategy.
Ongoing Endorsements
From cookware to canned goods, Deen’s cheerful Southern charm makes her a magnet for product endorsements. She currently promotes brands like Land O’Lakes butter, GreenWare bakeware, and Springer Mountain Farms chicken.
Deen reflects, “I only work with companies I genuinely believe in.”
Paula Deen’s Legacy and Significance
Cultural Impact on Southern Cuisine
Credited with introducing Southern comfort cuisine into mainstream culture through her TV shows and vast catalog of approachable recipes, Deen made dishes like fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and gooey butter cake beloved national staples.
“Paula Deen is the Oprah of country cookin’,” notes celebrity chef Guy Fieri.
Lasting Influence Despite Controversy
While Deen faced backlash over past insensitive comments in 2013, time has proven her cultural staying power thanks to loyal fans. Her restaurants thrive and products like Paula Deen branded cooking spray continue selling briskly.
“You came back stronger; the butter queen reigns!” writes one supporter.
Deen tears up acknowledging those who stood by her: “Y’all give me the courage to keep going.”
Conclusion
With enduring down-home charm and an empire now spanning magazines, restaurants, endorsements, and frequent TV appearances, Paula Deen recaptured her status as the beloved “Queen of Southern Cuisine” after temporarily losing favor.
By leveraging media platforms to connect with loyal supporters, she revived her career by doing what she loves – sharing indulgent recipes and peppy comfort food wisdom. Through resilience, Paula Deen continues welcoming a seat at her table for all who crave a taste of warm-hearted Southern hospitality.
Frequently Asked Questions About What is Paula Deen Doing Now
What is Paula Deen’s current magazine she publishes called and what type of content does it feature?
Deen has published a bimonthly magazine called Cooking With Paula Deen since 2005 featuring her recipes, cooking tips, lifestyle stories, inspirational messages, and colorful photos giving fans an inside look at her life on the farm and latest family gatherings.
How have Paula Deen’s restaurants performed, and are there plans to open more locations in the future?
Deen has seen success with her Southern-inspired restaurants called Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen in various cities, welcoming crowds eager for her signature comfort dishes in a charming atmosphere. Encouraged by the positive response, Deen hopes to open additional locations in new cities over the next few years to spread her wholesome Southern hospitality across America.
What new cookbooks featuring recipes has Paula Deen released in recent years?
Continuing to showcase her expertise on Southern cuisine and share wisdom gained from a lifetime in the kitchen, Deen has published various bestselling cookbooks in recent years including Paula Deen’s Southern Baking, One Dish, Four Ways, The Ultimate Recipe Box, and updated edition of her classic collection Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible featuring her greatest hits.
What recent television shows have Paula Deen guest starred in or competed in in the past few years?
Proving she still shines on camera, Deen has boosted her profile by making special guest and competition appearances on Food Network hits like Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped: Martha Rules, Halloween Baking Championship, Celebrity Family Feud, and Supermarket Stakeout over the past five years.
What types of brands and products is celebrity chef Paula Deen currently endorsing in 2024?
Deen leverages her cheerful Southern appeal promoting partners like Land O’Lakes butter, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Smithfield Pork, Springer Mountain Farms poultry, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, GreenWare baking products, and more. She also has her lines of Paula Deen branded cookware, canned hams, seasonings, and more.
Tell me about Paula Deen’s recent philanthropy and charity initiatives she has supported.
Deen has raised funds for causes close to her heart like battling childhood hunger through Save the Children and USA Harvest. She also mobilized relief fundraising to help rebuild her Savannah restaurant after a fire and assisted laid-off restaurant workers during the pandemic. Deen aims to make a positive local impact.
Where can I find Paula Deen’s social media profiles featuring updates of her latest work?
Deen engages over 7 million loyal supporters across her Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube platforms – @PaulaDeen. Fans can find cooking videos, behind-the-scenes looks, inspirational messages, promotional content, and more detailing her latest recipes, television projects, restaurant news, and recent family gatherings.
Does Paula Deen make any public appearances or conduct cooking demonstrations for fans nowadays?
Yes, Deen enjoys getting out to meet fans at events like the annual EPCOT Food & Wine Festival and frequent book signings whenever launching new cookbooks. She also holds VIP cooking demonstrations on her farms in Savannah for groups, where she shares preparation tricks behind her classic Southern recipes in an intimate setting.
How did Paula Deen bounce back in popularity after facing career backlash in 2013?
Despite losing key endorsements and her Food Network show in 2013 over accusations of past insensitive remarks, Deen leveraged unwavering fan support and a heartfelt apology tour to slowly regain trust and revived her career through high-profile appearances on programs like Chopped, her Positively Paula web series and bimonthly magazine that reconnected her with loyal audiences.
In what ways has Paula Deen influenced today’s perceptions and popularization of Southern cuisine?
Thanks to Deen’s friendly on-camera manner and collection of cherished regional recipes shared through her TV shows, cookbooks, and magazines, she made Southern comfort food staples like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, collard greens, biscuits, and pie approachable for mainstream audiences nationwide. In the process, she became an ambassador generating appreciation for humble Southern cooking.
How do Paula Deen’s critics in 2024 tend to perceive her compared to the height of past controversy in 2013?
While facing heavy backlash over past remarks in 2013 even after her apologies, in recent years more fans have expressed forgiveness towards Deen, praising her kind heart. And younger generations with less context around the scandal mainly know a spirited grandmotherly chef who celebrates delicious food bringing people together.
Why is Paula Deen considered a legend today within the culinary world?
With exceptional storytelling flair demonstrating Southern cooking techniques, Deen charmed television audiences for over 15 years while authoring dozens of popular cookbooks preserving regional heirloom recipes. She helped elevate and celebrate humble comfort cuisine while overcoming adversity. Her continued prominence cements her esteemed culinary legend status.
What are Paula Deen’s perspectives on current food and cooking trends?
While keeping up with trends like air fryers and alternative flours, Deen believes classic cooking methods and Southern flavors will always endure. She endorses moderation over diets in enjoying butter-rich, feels-like-home meals. Deen accepts cuisine continually evolves but aims to preserve the traditions and joy of generations-old recipes.
In what ways has Paula Deen updated her recipes and cooking methods over the years?
Deen has responded to shifting health trends by providing substitute ingredients to reduce fat, carbs, or salt in some dishes when possible, but avoids compromising rich comfort food textures and flavors fans cherish. She’ll suggest air frying chicken versus deep frying. But insists old-fashioned cast iron skillet cornbread remains sacred as is.
What personal life updates have been shared about Paula Deen’s home life and family in recent years?
The 77-year-old grandmother of four still resides in Savannah, Georgia with husband Michael Groover. She often welcomes extended family for lively gatherings highlighted in her bimonthly magazine Cooking With Paula Deen. Keeping farm animals, gardening, and motivating others with her faith remain passions outside the kitchen.
What ongoing challenges has Paula Deen worked to overcome in recent years?
Professionally, Deen has had to continuously prove resilience bouncing back from her 2013 scandal. She endured emotional grief after her son Bobby Deen dealt with multiple health issues in recent years. But her abiding religious faith and purpose-sharing Southern cooking provide Deen stability through ups and downs.
Where can I find information about Paula Deen’s latest projects and product offerings?
Deen provides updates herself through frequent magazine updates, social media engagement with over 7 million collective followers, and local Savannah news interviews as she releases new cookbooks, appears on television, or opens additional restaurant locations. Her website PaulaDeen.com also details the latest brand partnerships.
How can I experience and purchase Paula Deen’s products like cookbooks or branded goods?
Deen offers an extensive product line spanning cookware, bakeware, food items, seasonings, and more through retailers like Walmart, Target, QVC, HSN, and Amazon. Fans can also visit Paula Deen Store locations in Tennessee and Georgia or order autographed books directly through PaulaDeen.com.
Has Paula Deen maintained her relevance as an influential figure within the cooking world in 2024?
Yes, through her magazine empire reaching over 1 million subscribers, a string of popular family restaurants, consistent best-selling cookbooks, and renewed television appearances, Deen has preserved her relevance in 2024 as one of America’s most enduring celebrity chefs still actively shaping home cooking habits and public appreciation of Southern cuisine.
