A conversation with Bobby Deen

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There’s no separating Bobby Deen the restaurant owner, cookbook author, and TV personality, from his role as supporting cast for his famous mother Paula Deen. He’s the first to admit, in that smooth honeyed slow-talking Georgia way, that for him family and career are intimately intertwined. The 38 year Bobby helped his mom grow a fledging catering business into the acclaimed Lady & Sons restaurant in Savannah, and has been by her side as she became the Queen of Southern cuisine and a Food Network phenomenon. He’s long been a regular on her shows and that led to an opportunity for him and brother Jamie to host one of their own, Road Tasted, for two seasons. In 2007 they released, The Deen Bros. Cookbook- Recipes from the Road. Their second collection of recipes, The Deen Bros.-Y’all Come Eat was published in April 2008, and the pair have a couple more books in the works.

Bobby Deen took some time out from a busy day at the restaurant- where the line of people waiting to get in is often out the door- to chat about what he calls his “amazing life.”

Fabulous Food Show: Is it tough to live in Paula Deen’s shadow?
Bobby Deen: Not a bit. She shares the spotlight with us, always telling people about how Jamie and I helped her get the business started and now keep it running. And she’s pushed us out front and center stage. So many opportunities have come my way because of her career and I truly appreciate how lucky I am.

FFS: What do you like best about doing Road Tasted?
BD: I love meeting people and it makes me proud to hear all the wonderful things they have to say about my mother and our family. It was also really special for my brother and I to sit in the stands at places like Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and the old Yankee Stadium. We’re really big baseball fans. We did a lot of shooting in the summer and tried to catch a game wherever we went.

FFS: Any new episodes planned?
BD: I’m afraid not. My brother and his wife have a 2 year old son and Jamie has decided to put family first. Our show was all about the two of us traveling around the country. He wants to stick closer to home and I don’t blame him. We were a team and I don’t want to do it without him.

FFS: Does that mean no more TV for you?
BD: Absolutely not. I love being in front of the camera. Mom’s filming her syndicated TV show for 2009 and I’m a part of that.

FFS: How do you feel about all that’s happened and being part of a celebrity family?
BD: I don’t think any of us saw this coming. Mom just wanted to provide for us kids. That’s what drove her. I wouldn't’t say we were poor, but there were no extras. Everything we have now, everything my mother, my brother, and I have accomplished is the result of years of head-down hard work. The second half of my life has been so different than the first. It’s a joy to do what we do together and I hope we are an inspiration to other people about what’s possible.

FFS: It’s Sunday afternoon. There’s no audience. What are you making for dinner?
BD: I’ve gotten more health conscious as I’ve gotten older and have turned to lighter food. I think everything is okay in moderation, but for myself, I use more olive oil than butter, eat a lot of fresh fish, and don’t do much frying. And when I do have a jones for something real Southern, I just go to my mom’s house. It’s only five minutes away, and she’s always cooking .

Bobby Deen will appear at the Fabulous Food Show in Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15, 2008. Imagine which close 'friends' might just drop on by to help out with his demonstration....