From humble beginnings to becoming the face of Southern cuisine
Photo by Digitas Photos/ CC BY 2.0
A Savannah Success Story
Paula Deen is an American celebrity chef and entrepreneur, a native Savannahian from humble beginnings. From an impoverished single mother with no parents to the face of southern cuisine and comfort, Paula's career has been an enormous success and inspiration to many.
Paula operated two restaurants in Savannah for nearly three decades, and many of her TV shows were filmed in her hometown. Whether or not you agree with the criticism she has faced throughout her career, she is an influential figure in Savannah's recent history.
Restaurant Closures - July 2025
Paula Deen announced the closure of her two Savannah restaurants, The Lady & Sons and The Chicken Box, effective July 31, 2025. She called it a "heartfelt decision" made with her sons Jamie and Bobby, expressing gratitude to customers and staff while noting that Savannah remains her home.
Cooking Inspiration
Paula Ann Hiers was born in Albany, Georgia, in 1947. Growing up, she watched and learned the art of southern cooking from her grandmother Irene Paul. Paula described this cooking style as "real farmhouse cooking, the kind that takes all day."
Paula married James Deen at the age of 18 and had two sons soon after. Her mother and father both died in their forties when she was a young adult. Paula worked as a bank teller for years and witnessed a bank robbery where she was held at gunpoint.
Paula suffered from depression and agoraphobia, or anxiety of leaving the house, and started to cook as a coping mechanism. When she divorced James, an abusive alcoholic, in 1989, she became a single mother with $200 to her name.
The Bag Lady Catering
Needing to support not only her sons but her younger brother as well, she started "The Bag Lady" catering service, which delivered homemade lunches to office workers in Savannah, Georgia. The Bag Lady quickly became successful, giving Paula hope for the future.
First Restaurant Success
Paula took over the Best Western restaurant on Abercorn Street in Savannah in 1991. Forced to confront her fear of public places, she overcame her agoraphobia. She cooked there for five years before opening her own restaurant, The Lady and Sons, in downtown Savannah.
The beginning of Paula's enormous success began in 1997 when she self-published a cookbook called, "The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cooking." A literary agent at her restaurant noticed her book by pure luck, and it was picked up by a major publishing house.
Publishing Career
Paula went on to write many more cookbooks, cementing her reputation as an authority on Southern comfort food and accessible home cooking.
Television Career
Paula started her Food Network career in 1999, appearing in "Doorknock Dinners," with many episodes filmed in Savannah. Paula made many more guest appearances before she landed her own show in 2003, "Paula's Home Cooking."
Media Appearances
She appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show multiple times, inspiring women with her story. Paula also appeared on QVC and had a supporting role in "Elizabethtown" with Orlando Bloom.
Icon of the South
Paula became an icon of Southern cuisine. Her comfort food dishes invoked old-timey feelings of comfort, simplicity, and many pounds of butter. They were not challenging recipes and easily accessible to the average American, which garnered her national fame as "that southern mom you never had."
In 2013, Paula was sued by an employee for racial and sexual discrimination. In the end, both parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit. Paula admitted in the legal proceedings to having used racial slurs in the past.
Before this lawsuit was dismissed, multiple brands broke their ties with Paula, including the Food Network canceling her show and her publisher ending her contract. Many other brands and former US President Jimmy Carter stood up for her and asked for people to forgive her.
Successful Comeback
While it was too late for some of her major brand deals, Paula enjoyed some of her most successful years after the controversy. Her cookbook sales soared, she had the rights to Food Network shows and started her own show on Roku.
She appeared on Dancing with the Stars and starred on ShopHQ. Currently, she is a guest host of the show Masterchef, along with the likes of Emeril Lagasse and Gordon Ramsay.
Paula Deen's Former Savannah Restaurants
Closure Notice - July 31, 2025
Both of Paula Deen's Savannah restaurants closed permanently on July 31, 2025. The Lady & Sons operated for nearly 30 years, while The Chicken Box was a more recent addition that opened in 2023.
Near Ellis Square
Her original restaurant located in a historic building in Savannah. For a taste of the true South, this restaurant offers authentic Southern comfort food in the heart of the Historic District.
The restaurant that started it all, moved to a bigger location in the Historic District due to its overwhelming success.
Savannah (Takeout)
A takeout restaurant opened in 2023, offering Paula's signature comfort food in a casual, quick-service format. Closed along with The Lady & Sons in July 2025.
Operated for only two years before closing as part of Paula's decision to focus on her other Family Kitchen locations.
Family Affair
While Paula's Savannah restaurants have closed, her culinary legacy remains deeply woven into the city's history. Paula still lives in Savannah with her husband and continues to focus on her four Paula Deen's Family Kitchen locations in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Missouri.
Divorced with $200 to her name, starts "The Bag Lady" catering service in Savannah.
1991 - First Restaurant
Takes over Best Western restaurant on Abercorn Street, overcoming agoraphobia.
1996 - The Lady and Sons
Opens her own restaurant in downtown Savannah, later moving to Historic District.
1997 - First Cookbook
Self-publishes "The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cooking," discovered by literary agent.
1999-2013 - Television Fame
Food Network career begins with "Doorknock Dinners," leads to "Paula's Home Cooking" show.
2013-2025 - Resilience and Transition
Overcomes controversy, continues with cookbook success, new shows, and guest hosting on Masterchef. Closes Savannah restaurants in July 2025 to focus on Family Kitchen locations.