Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern Slams Paula Deen For Keeping Diabetes Diagnosis A Secret
Jan. 25 2012, Published 11:00 a.m. ET
By Debbie Emery - RadarOnline.com Reporter
Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern isn't scared of putting any type of strange delicacy in his mouth, and when it comes to Paula Deen’s controversial decision to hide her diabetes from her fans, he’s also not afraid to slam her.
The Travel Channel star revealed his disdain to Anderson Cooper on an upcoming episode of his syndicated talk show, and RadarOnline.com has a sneak peak of their controversial conversation.
Zimmern has spoken out against the gluttony of high-calorie cooks like Paula in the past, and he said that the circumstances surrounding her diabetes diagnosis speak for themselves.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, the Southern food queen had the disease for three years before she revealed it to her foodie followers.
"I famously came out last year against a whole bunch of cooks -- not just Paula -- and what they cook and what they stand for," Zimmern told Anderson.
Watch the video on RadarOnline.com
"I have a tremendous platform and responsibility to talk to people about these issues about sustainability and about health and wellness when it comes to food.
"I think it became a much more personal thing when she found out she had diabetes. It's such a serious issue right now, I can't judge what you do when you get that news, certainly that's up to Paula."
When asked by Anderson if he would keep cooking fattening food, such as 64-year-old Paula's famous Southern fried chicken, gooey butter cakes, and burgers sandwiched between glazed donuts, if he got a similar diagnosis, the Bizarre Foods host answered diplomatically.
"Personally, I change my diet every single time that I find something new. I famously tasted shark fin soup many, many years ago before we understood exactly what was going on with the harvesting of sharks. I've consequently come out against it. I make personal choices in my life and stand behind them.
"I am very much a person who likes to change with the times. Education is what it is all about," he explained.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, last week on Today, Deen downplayed her disease and assured the audience: "I'm great.
"I was diagnosed three years ago during a regular physical exam with my doctor that I had Type 2 Diabetes," explained Paula. "I'm here today to let the world know that it is not a death sentence."
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