The Food Network's Paula Deen

The Food Network's Paula Deen is an interesting character study.

An Unlikely Star
Deen probably never imagined that she'd become a Food Network star or an iconic name in the food industry. Deen literally came out of the woodwork in 1989. While she had an excellent background in southern cooking, she was a virtual nobody in the food industry. Though Deen loved to cook, it wasn't until she was forced into a corner that her talent came bubbling up to the surface.

At the age of 40, following several personal upsets, including a divorce, Deen found herself in a desperate funk. She needed direction in her life. Having lost both parents when she was only 23, Deen felt she had no one to look up to as a life guide.

She pulled herself up by her apron strings and sunk her teeth into something she knew: cooking. At an early age, Deen had spent hours and hours helping her grandmother cook. During that time she learned just about everything there is to know about cooking. Deen decided to put her culinary skills to work by opening up her own restaurant.

The Bag Lady
Deen opened her own eatery, which she and her sons ran from home. She christened it The Bag Lady, laughingly calling herself "the official bag lady." Her brown-bag catering service was a sensational hit. It wasn't long before Deen had to look into a bigger place to feed her faithful patrons. Several years later, she opened The Lady & Sons restaurant.

Deen's southern cuisine did not go unnoticed by the media. Before long she had her first cookbook published, had earned USA Today's International Meal of the Year award and had happily become one of the Food Network hosts, with two cooking shows.

A Natural Charm
Deen is chatty, witty and loves to cook good food as much as she loves to host a great party. It is her warm southern hospitality and easy smile that has endeared her to many fans. Currently, Deen is the proud owner of two restaurants, The Lady & Sons, which she and her two sons run, and Uncle Bubba's Oyster House, which she and her brother, Bubba, operate.

As Food Network star, Deen hosts Paula's Best Dishes, Paula's Home Cooking and Paula's Party, as well as a new 2009 show, Paula's Party on the Road. Deen rubs elbows with fellow Food Network hosts Rachel Ray, Alton Brown, Marc Summers and Sandra Lee, but admits she was still quite star-struck when she rubbed elbows with Oprah Winfrey when she appeared on her show.