Paula Deen-Anthony Bourdain Feud: Paula Fires Back (VIDEO, POLL)

Yesterday, Page Six revealed the harsh words Anthony Bourdain had for Food Network chefs in this month's TV Guide. He criticized the morality and culinary acumen of Rachael Ray, Guy Fieri and Sandra Lee -- but he saved his harshest critique for Paula Deen. He called Savannah's Crisco savant "the worst, most dangerous person to America,” explaining that her connections to food corporations and disregard for healthfulness made her a threat to cardiovascular systems across the country.

Page Six reached Paula for her response to the attack, and she was relatively measured. She told Bourdain to "get a life," and explained that her mission, unlike his, is geared toward struggling working families. She elaborated:

“You know, not everybody can afford to pay $58 for prime rib or $650 for a bottle of wine. 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.”

Although eating on a budget and maintaining a marginally healthy diet are in no ways mutually exclusive, it's probably a keen line of response on Deen's part. Since Bourdain has pledged, via Twitter, to "just shut up" the next time someone asks who the worst chefs on the Food Network are, this could be the end of the feud for now.

Deen also appeared on Fox News to talk about her reactions to Bourdain's comments. She seems surprisingly placid in the video; though she admits she was "shocked" to hear what her fellow chef had said, she says she "learned long ago that you can't please everybody." Here's the video.

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Comments

[Ramona Sanchez]

04:32 AM on 10/12/2011

I feel that their both in the wrong. Not so much about the diet consequences, but how they express their opinions by attacking each other. Anthony could have expressed his opinion about the bad food situations on food network better than choosing someone to attack. It is not what one says but how one says it, and he should also respect that people like the rich southern cuisine that Paula offers. I grew up with that sort of food, and it is absolutely yummy in small proportions. However, demonizing Paula does not serve to make his image any greater than hers.

[Ramona Sanchez]

04:41 AM on 10/12/2011

Besides, he actually took most of that stuff back but she still decided to ride on it. She used him to make herself look in the right. So, they're just abusing each other in the end. It really comes down to what food someone personally likes to decide what style of cooking they would rather have or defend.

[bebmb1]

12:32 AM on 09/27/2011

Anthony vs Paula. There is no question in my mind it's Paula all the way. First let it be known that all chefs use fat and butter in their meals why???? Because that is where the flavor generates the recipe. Paula has used this fact in her rise to fame as the butter queen. So Anthony shut up you use just as much fat as Paula otherwise you wouldn't have gained so much success as a chef. Just take a look at all the recipes from chefs like Bordain, Julia Child, Wolfgang Puck, Gordan Ramsey, etc., they all use FATTTTT.... The issue is keep up the fat, butter cheese, lard, etc. just as the great lady herself Julia Child had said keep the quality reduce the quantity. All in good measure so to speak.

[Kookyture]

11:43 AM on 09/10/2011

Aw hell get off ye damn high horse people. Everyone eats bad once in awhile. Do you really need the government to control the restaurants, girl scout cookies etc for you? Just use your common sense. And for those of you that have the will of an iron steak, pun intended. More power to ya. And for those of you that chose to use insulting words about Paula. Fricken grow up. I been out of high school for a lot of years. Jeez.

[Eldergothfather]

06:23 PM on 08/27/2011

Paula is a pig and she's annoying. 'nuff said. Bravo to Bourdain...(thing is people know he's right - it's all the fat that's killing off people in this country)

[Sheri Rose]

06:10 PM on 08/26/2011

She is wonderful to watch, And I think everyone knows her dishes are only for special occasions. Go back to smoking your crack buddy.

[mathme]

12:44 PM on 08/28/2011

What's a crack buddy?

[edyta1979]

06:09 PM on 08/26/2011

Ok, Paula may be a nice person and all but honestly the last thing this country needs is to have a burger patty stuck between two glazed doughnuts for breakfast! Yes Paula, not everyone can spend $58 for prime rib - but spending $10 on fresh chicken and bunch of kale instead of burger & fries is probably a good idea. Oh, also it makes enough food for a family of 4.. BTW - butter isn't cheap either.

[88234]

12:28 PM on 08/26/2011

In the United States, the cost of treating obesity related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke, will increase $66 billion per year by 2030, and represent a 2.6 percent increase in overall health spending.

I like them both, but the reality is we should be teaching Americans how to cook simple, nutritious food. An occasional "bad" meal or snack is fine, but we are all affected monetarily, and emotionally (when loved ones get preventable diseases) when bad choices become a way of life as is the case for so many.

[stevi]

07:02 PM on 08/24/2011

This is probably more fun than Bourdain has had in awhile, and Paula getting good mileage out of it too. Publicity for all!

[Irene Shive]

04:36 AM on 08/27/2011

Thank You,Stevi

[Shawna Katie Bohn]

05:55 PM on 08/24/2011

Culture equals cuisine equals culture. This is a classic bout between Southern rednecks and Northern Yankees. Check it out: http://salutadventures.com/2011/08/23/watching-the-food-fight-between-anthony-bourdain-and-paula-deen/

[Shawna Katie Bohn]

12:23 PM on 08/25/2011

Whoa. I take this all back. This is NOT about the calories. This is NOT even about a Red State/Blue State cultural clash. What Tony was pointing out was the DISHONESTY in Paula Deen's food and her alliance with the unholy corporate food conglomerates. Watch the horrifying and eye-opening documentary "Food, Inc." and you will see exactly what he's talking about. I just watched it last night for the first time, and I guarantee it will change your life and the way you eat forever. Tony may be munching on sheep's eyeballs and cobra hearts in "dirty" little corners of the world, but at least it's HONEST food. I get it, Tony, and balls up for preaching what's right!

[Joann Vallo]

01:50 PM on 08/24/2011

Tony and Paula are also worlds apart politically. One of the reasons I watch Tony is because of his political views and his courage to share them on his show. He's not only a foodie as his beginning statement tells us. He's on the travel channel for a reason. He gives us tips on different cultures as well as food. I watched a documentary about him in his early career and he is in a kitchen talking about the people working there who are undocumented. He said that they are the ones doing all the work in the finest restaurants and that they can cook better than most 5 star chefs, including chefs who specialize in French Cuisine. I really admire him for defending these people who work so hard and get so little recognition.

[Karen Zisser]

03:17 PM on 08/24/2011

I totally agree with you however, why does he feel it necessary to put down other cooking network chiefs and programming. He should be above that. I love his travelogues and watch every episode however he constantly makes negative comments of these people. Why? He is so successful so does he really need to lower himself. I also watch the other networks and some are better than others but he should just stick to what he does best and stop the negative commentary.

[Joann Vallo]

04:42 PM on 08/24/2011

It's almost as if he just can't stop himself, lol. I know on one show he insulted Gwenneth Paltrow and I've heard him do that with soooo many people. He says these insults really quietly and quickly. This with Paula Dean was uncalled for, I agree. He also insults Alice Waters all the time, but she doesn't every comment back.

[Samantha Biggers]

10:55 AM on 08/24/2011

I can see why some would have a problem with her being a spokesperson for Smithfield pork products. They raise their pigs in high stress confinement operations where they are fed a lot of antibiotics. As far as cooking style though, to each their own. Some people can eat a very high fat/calorie diet and be fine if they get a lot of exercise or work hard.

[zenful6219]

07:50 AM on 08/24/2011

I've watched Paula Deen's shows and I thoroughly enjoy them. I've even tried a few of her recipes, but it was always for "special occasions" or if I just had a need for comfort food. Common sense dictates that no one would want to consume Paula Deen-inspired food/cuisine on a daily basis. So, Mr. Boudain's comments were unnecessary. In fact, wasn't it he who recently ate fried pig sphincter?

[Cakey4814]

02:26 PM on 08/23/2011

Definitely team Paula..she makes dishes that I can cook and afford and enjoys cooking as I do. As an adult it's up to me if I want to add 5 lbs of butter to my recipe but Paula certainly doesn't make me do it. Come to my house on the weekend and the aroma of bacon, eggs, sausage, grits and pancakes hits you on the front porch and my fried chicken and collards are legendary in my family..

[RealFoodie]

06:06 PM on 08/23/2011

Fried chicken is food.. not cuisine.. if everyone ate Paula's recipes everyday, the chimps would have an easy run at taking over the planet!

[astroup123]

10:31 AM on 08/23/2011

What I mainly took away from this video is that fox news anchors can't seem to read!

[tootz]

02:49 AM on 08/23/2011

I am not a big Anthony fan, but he got it so right, she does think it is a big joke to throw in all that butter, I actually wonder what is she thinking, at her age she should take it easy.