P

aula Deen, the queen of Southern 

style is now in Destin, and recently 

held a grand opening at Destin 

Commons for her new restaurant. 

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen

 serves up 

delicious comfort food in a family-style setting 

from the very same recipes that launched Paula 

Deen’s career. Guests can enjoy classic Deen family 

recipes, just like they do in their own homes. There are 

endless portions of Southern-style entrees and side 

dishes, and every visitor ends their meal with a dessert 

of their choice. According to Deen, the restaurant 

brings friends and families together over a meal, 

while offering up a one-of-a-kind dining experience 

everyone is sure to remember. When you walk in the 

door, you’re greeted with a hearty “Hey Y’all!” and 

leave feeling as though you were just sitting around 

your grandma’s dinner table.

According to management, good food is nothing 

without good people. The core of everything they 

do at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen begins with their 

staff, who embody Southern Hospitality through and 

through. Just like their name suggests, they are a 

FAMILY. From their chefs who prepare Paula’s recipes, 

to their wait staff and retail experts, everyone in their 

building knows what it means to make their guests 

feel at home. 

An Interview with Paula Deen

photos by

Frances Roy Agency 

 |  

story  by

Steve Barber

34     |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

Style Profi le

“As soon as our guests walk in the door, we 

want to make them feel like we are wrapping 

our arms around them and saying, ‘Hey 

y’all, come on in. Make yourself at home.’”

— Paula Deen

VIP Destin Magazine – Steve Barber:

What, besides butter, is a favorite ingredient you 

enjoy cooking with? 

Garlic, I try to keep it very simple and let the food be 

the star and not lots of seasonings. I am a salt, pepper, 

garlic, onion girl.
VIP Destin Magazine – Steve Barber: 

What do you do to relax?

Play games on my iPad, or visit my new grandbaby.
VIP Destin Magazine – Steve Barber: 

What is your greatest accomplishment?

My children is the right answer, and I am pretty 

amazed that I had the opportunity to take $200 and 

turn it into a $2,000,000 business with my sons. My 

family and my sons…I couldn’t ask for anything better.
VIP Destin Magazine – Steve Barber:

What is your go-to weekend breakfast?

Waffl es…Chicken and Waffl es. Something real 

fattening.

VIP Destin Magazine – Steve Barber:

If you were a dessert, what would you be?

Probably a Pear Cobbler, I love pear cobbler…it’s 

crusty, it’s hot and I can cool her down with some 

cream.

Paula Deen…the Queen of Southern Style

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5/30/19   12:44 PM