Anthony Bourdain spars with Paula Deen

By: Joyce Lee
Topics: Television ,; News ,; Celebrity

Paula Deen and Anthony Bourdain

(Credit: CBS/Getty)

(CBS) Anthony Bourdain has a bit to say about Food Network personality Paula Deen, and none of it is nice.

Speaking to TV Guide, the "No Reservations" host dissed the self-proclaimed butter fan, calling her the "worst, most dangerous person to America."

"She revels in unholy connections with evil corporations and she's proud of the fact that her food is f---ing bad for you," he told the magazine. "If I were on at seven at night and loved by millions of people at every age, I would think twice before telling an already obese nation that it's OK to eat food that is killing us. Plus, her food sucks."

He later clarified on Twitter that Deen is "hardly the worst person in America, just the most destructive influence on [Food Network]."

On Thursday, the Southern cook addressed Bourdain's criticism, telling the New York Post, "Anthony Bourdain needs to get a life."

"You know, not everybody can afford to pay $58 for prime rib or $650 for a bottle of wine," she said. "My friends and I cook for regular families who worry about feeding their kids and paying the bills...It wasn't that long ago that I was struggling to feed my family, too."

She continued on "Fox and Friends," saying she was "shocked" about his attack on her, "considering I have never met Anthony."

"I was really shocked that such harsh words could be used," she adds. "I don't know if it was a publicity thing or if someone had just peed in his bowl of cereal that morning and he was mad."

While Bourdain, who also took aim at Deen's fellow Food Network colleagues Guy Fieri, Sandra Lee and Rachael Ray, may not be stepping into her Savannah, Ga., restaurant anytime soon, he did offer a resolution to their culinary differences.

"Next time I'm asked (for the millionth time) who the worst cooks on Food Network are, I'll just shut up," he tweeted. "Who cares?"

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by Freddie_Fiveo November 4, 2011 2:10 PM EDT: I'm with Tony on this one. I'm southern raised and damn I love how good Paula's food tastes. But, every time my wife says she's making a PD recipe I wince at how bloated and miserable I'll feel afterward.

Too thick and too rich. Kinda like PD :); Reply to this comment


by bobnjersey August 23, 2011 4:48 PM EDT: ["She revels in unholy connections with evil corporations and she's proud of the fact that her food is f---ing bad for you,"]
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i'm sure she's a nice lady ... i just can't stand her saying y'all. the trick is to be ready w/ the remote to change the channel just before she says it.; Reply to this comment


by opinionseveryonehasone August 23, 2011 10:25 AM EDT: I have made a dish by Paula Dean. It was wonderful!!! My family loves it. I myself and from the south and I love our southern food. If you don't like it, don't make it and don't eat it. It's that simple!!!; Reply to this comment


by saturn05 August 22, 2011 10:29 PM EDT: I think Anthony is a jerk for starting this. Don't eat her food you idiot!; Reply to this comment

by redheadedcook August 22, 2011 8:18 PM EDT

I am a cook...I have never recieve a paycheck for cooking, those who are paid to cook are called chefs. I did bake a pie that brought $97 at a charity auction once, that doesn't count. Chefs are trained and educated about food, cooks learn to cook while peeling potatoes at the elbow of other cooks, like my mother and aunt. Paula is a cook, Anthony is a chef. The difference is oceans apart. Several of you have posted comments that indicate that you don't even know the AB is on the Travel Channel not Food Network. I watch them both, but on occasion when they are both on at the same time I watch AB. He goes to places I'll never go and explores a facet of societies called food. His show isn't about cooking. His show is about exploring food. Paula's show isn't about cooking either. Surprised? It's about selling the low quality junk that she think women with little experience in the kitchen can be tricked into buying. If you doubt that is true then try this. Sit down with a pen and notepad in front of her show. Carefully take notes and then try to prepare what she has made. I am 95% sure you will be dissapointed. Then look up one of her recipes on Food Network.com and read the comments about it. Overwhelmingly negative.

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by saturn05 August 22, 2011 10:33 PM EDT: I read the comments and I don't see where the comments were overly negative. What were you reading?


by tkg456 August 23, 2011 11:09 AM EDT: I've never been disappointed by anyone on Food Network's recipes. I have, however, been disappointed by AB's show...yes, he goes to exotic places, sees cultures some of us will never see, but just who does he think he is? He calls Paula Deen deadly? Well, what does he think all of his smoking and drinking and bad attitudes are? I know how I stopped being disgusted by him....I quit watching him. Paula Deen and Food Network, however, are on my faves list. I suggest if he, or anyone else, feels they are deadly, stop watching.

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by smartin927 August 22, 2011 4:46 PM EDT: I like both Anthony Bourdain and Paula Deen, I find them both entertaining! I've watched a lot of Paula's shows and like how much she loves to eat, but I must agree with Anthony, a lot of what she cooks is deadly! I recall watching her deep-fry Macaroni and cheese after wrapping it in bacon!!! Seriously??? I know better, but I'm sure that a lot of Americans look to her for good family recipes. Her response is that most Americans can't afford $58 prime rib, she's certainly right about that, but there are plenty of affordable healthy food options, and perhaps she should move in that direction...just sayin....Sandy; Reply to this comment


by tkg456 August 22, 2011 4:05 PM EDT: So, Mr. Bordaine, (oops did I spell you name wrong) were you born an idiot or was it an acquired trait? Because you're doing it really well. No doubt, you have some charitable attributes (maybe, I have yet to see any of it) and I'm sure you're some kind of chef (again, all I ever see is you blah blahing about this or that, not cooking) but, really, to go off on this kind of tangent really just makes you look like a bigger idiot than you should want to look like. They may not be upscale or fancy but that does not make them any less of a chef than you claim to be. They are good hearted people just trying to make life easier for us working people who are responsible for feeding our family. Now, really, can I feed my family based on anything I've seen you do? No, I can't. Open your big mouth again when you have something important to say. And by important, I mean useful.; Reply to this comment

by Bernice67 August 22, 2011 12:57 PM EDT

Bourdain is classless. It is extremely easy to sit in judgement of others when they are cooking and Bourdain is not. His show bores me, he travels to remote places and eats foods that are irrelevent to viewers, smokes too much, and drinks too much.

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by redheadedcook August 22, 2011 7:59 PM EDT: Bernice, How is your judgement of others less wrong than AB's judgement of PD? Does your anonymity (you might need to look that up) give you a cloak behind which you can hide. Shame on you too.


by Whortons August 22, 2011 12:09 PM EDT: Anthony travels all over the world - he would know if the food sucked or not... DUH; Reply to this comment


by blackbug99 August 22, 2011 12:02 PM EDT: There's a time and a place for everything (Mom said it was college...South Park too), If you stick to a good diet, then a Comfort Meal won't kill you. She's a good country cook. She's made her niche. She will never be an "Iron Chef," but she doesn't have to be. Been around the world (Ret. Navy Sr. Chief), and I've eaten well, but some of the stuff he picks turn my stomach. I'll stick with "Hell's Kitchen, and Alton Brown," if I want recipes or instructions. PD for comfort food at the cottage!; Reply to this comment