Paula Deen is guest judge on FOX's 'MasterChef' (Video)

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07/17/2012 by Corinne Heller

Famed TV chef Paula Deen appears as a guest judge on the FOX reality show "MasterChef" on an episode airing on Tuesday, July 17, and jokes that she plans to "ruin" the reputation of star Gordon Ramsay.

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She explained that the man, who is notoriously hot-headed on television and is often seen uttering expletives at contestants, is actually "such a nice guy."

"I bet he doesn't want anybody to know that but he's a very nice guy and I really, really had a lot of fun," she added.

The 65-year-old Food Network star, who is known for her high-calorie recipes - including one that combines a doughnut with a hamburger, made her comments in a FOX video interview to promote the episode, which will see the top 7 finalists compete in another cooking challenge to try to become a "culinary master" and win the $250,000 grand prize.

Deen made her comments in front of the backdrop of fruits and vegetables that is typically used on the show in reflective interview segments with the contestants. Deen revealed in January that she has Type 2 diabetes and is a spokesperson for a healthcare company that specializes in medication for the disease. She says she is trying to eat healthier food and that she has already lost about 30 pounds.

On MasterChef," Deen selected the "mystery ingredients" that finalists must use in their cooking challenge. She chose Southern food staples - a whole chicken, green tomatoes, grits, okra, collard greens, pepper jelly, blackberries, hot sauce, cream cheese and bacon."

"I wanted them to have the opportunity to strut their stuff Southern-style," she tells the contestants, as seen in a teaser video. "You know, put some South in your mouth!"

Deen then tries their dishes, including a plate containing chicken breast and pepper jelly prepared by contestant Becky Reams, a food photographer from Stilwell, Kansas." She described her creation as "delicious." She also appeared defensive when someone described grits, one of the most popular Southern dishes, as bland and boring.

"I think nobody appreciates home cooking as much as I do," she said in her interview. "I would rather be invited to your house for a meal that you prepared than go to a fancy restaurant any day."

Deen's "MasterChef" episode is set to air at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.