Enterprise mom bakes with Paula Deen, y’all!

By Kelly Tabor

Published: July 23, 2008

While many Food Network fans dream of traveling to Savannah, Ga. for the honor of cooking in Paula Deen’s kitchen, one Wiregrass fan got to do just that.

Susan Butts of Enterprise was nominated by her husband, Christopher, to win a spot as Paula’s “Deserving Fan”. Christoper Butts, a Black Hawk crew chief based at Fort Rucker, returned to his wife and 15-month-old daughter Alexandra in February after a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan.

“She just did such a great job of keeping our home and everything together,” he said. “She loves Paula Deen and when I heard about it, I just knew she was it.”

Susan Butts said she solicited Deen’s help on two difficult cookie recipes, chocolate covered cherry and pecan praline.

Deen’s producers seemed to like the story of the hardworking Army wife, and brought Butts and two other fans to Savannah July 14 to shoot a show, a magazine spread, and participate in a charity cookie auction.

“The pecan pralines are the hardest,” Susan Butts said. “Even Paula burned them twice.”

Deen suggested they call on a professional—Butts’ grandmother.

“Paula called my grandma live on the show,” she said. “It was the highlight of her life.”

Susan Butts said she enjoyed hanging out at Deen’s home, meeting her sons, and meeting HGTV “Design Star” champion and “Color Splash” host, David Bromstad.

The grand finale was a cookie auction at Deen’s Savannah restaurant, The Lady & Sons, with all proceeds going to Savannah SAFE Shelter and the Bethesda Home for Boys.

“The cookies Paula and I made went for $750,” Susan Butts said.

The Holiday Issue of “Cooking with Paula Deen” magazine featuring Susan Butts hits newsstands August 19th and the TV show will air as a holiday special the second week of December.