Destin has a new dining experience, bringing Southern Style cooking to our Emerald Coast. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen has opened in the Destin Commons and we got to sit down with the Queen of Southern Cuisine herself to get the inside scoop on why she chose the Emerald Coast, what her favorite dessert dish is, and much more. Here’s the rundown of our interview with her:
How did Destin and Panama City Beach get on your radar?
“Florida is a very big part of my history, it’s very intertwined with my life,” Paula Deen said. “Growing up, the only place we went on vacation was to Florida, to grandparents homes.” Her ties to Florida her entire life led her to fall in love with the state, and choosing to add it to her list of restaurant locations.
What do all our Northern vacationers need to know about good, Southern food?
“For so many years, the South has been accused of having unhealthy food, and I don’t understand that,” Deen says. “I’ve had the opportunity in the last 25 years to do a lot of traveling, both inside and outside this country, and I’ve never been anywhere that served more vegetables than we do in the South. I think the fried chicken and the biscuits send people off the block.. but we’ve got cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, okra, corn, cabbage, lettuces, SO many vegetables. I think the South has gotten an undeserved bad rap, and I would like for everyone to come try our food, and realize that they’re not eating all that bad [here in the South].”
What is your most requested dish for Holiday parties or events?
She had an easy answer for this one. “Not Yo Momma’s Banana Pudding is everybody’s favorite. It’s no cook, it’s easy, and it’s delicious,” Deen said. And we have to agree with her there!
How do you keep coming up with recipes for all your cook books?
“A team! It takes a team and there ain’t no I in team. It’s a team effort.”
Do you have a favorite thing “To Do In Destin”?
We learned Paula hasn’t spent enough time to Destin to have a favorite thing, except of course – to visit her restaurant.
And lastly, the burning question.
Tea or Lemonade?
“Tea! For years, I woke up with sweet tea and went to bed with sweet tea.”
If you’ve never been, a few key things. Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen is known for their Souther Style comfort food, and all food is served family style until everyone has had their fill. Choose from appetizers, entrees and desserts for the whole table. They built a replica of Paula Deen’s kitchen inside the gift shop portion of the store, where you can browse her cookbooks, aprons, kitchen accessories and more. Click here for the lunch menu and dinner menu options available at our Destin location.
Overall, we loved meeting the Queen of Southern Cuisine (she was so sweet!) and we encourage you to stop by and give her restaurant a visit for a real taste of southern comfort food.
Thanks to Frances Roy Agency for the invite and for all the photos!