"Road Tasted": Sons of Food Network chef Paula Deen bring their new show to Seattle

Though their easy smiles never wavered, it took about three 7-pound Copper River salmon flying past their heads and into the hands of a waiting fishmonger before Jamie and Bobby Deen were able to relax and take it in stride.

For the sons of Food Network star and southern chef Paula Deen, dodging flying fish at Pike Place Fish Market was the latest adventure on their journey around the country, visiting specialty stores and family-run businesses to feature on their first television show, "Road Tasted," which premieres at 10 p.m. July 11 on Food Network.

Each episode will highlight the culinary delights of a different city, particularly delights that ship well. The Seattle episode will feature the fish market's seafood-paella kit, Alaska Silk Pie Co.'s desserts and the lemon, sour-cherry coffee cake at Seattle bakery Macrina.

The brothers say the show has given them the opportunity to blend their love of food and family-run businesses with something they haven't had much time to do: travel. They pour most of their hours into running The Lady & Sons, the 18-year-old Savannah, Ga. restaurant that made their mom's fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and other Southern delicacies famous.

So far they've trekked through California, New Mexico, Tennessee, Florida, Missouri and New York City, and spent most of last week in Seattle, surprised the sun was shining (most of the time).

Jamie Deen, 38, described Seattle as lush, green and beautiful, marveling at Pike Place's brilliant bounty. The brothers, who love sports, planned to take in a Mariners game but said 12-hour work days haven't left much time for all the sightseeing they'd like to do.

"I had no idea Seattle was so big," he said. "We've already said we need to make time to come back."

He was quick to point out big news about his brother. People magazine has named Bobby Deen, 36, to its list of 50 most-eligible bachelors, a distinction the younger Deen called an honor but one that has inspired ribbing (Hey Mr. Universe! Hey Mr. Sexy!) from friends and the production crew.

The Deen brothers say they've always been close. Moving around a lot as kids, they became each other's best friend. They've enjoyed seeing the country together, though they have different passions.

Jamie Deen is thrilled by the upcoming birth of he and wife Brooke's first child and is eager to discuss the last few books he read, which include "The Devil in the White City," "Horsemen of the Esophagus" and "Invisible Monsters."

Snow skiing, golf, fishing and Sports Illustrated are more Bobby Deen's speed, along with his X-Box and a huge retractable TV screen.

"I want to be a kid forever," he said with a grin.

While they love hearing raves about their mom everywhere they go, the brothers say it meant so much when a man in New York City told them how much he loves their restaurant, which served nearly 500,000 customers last year.

Bobby Deen said he's learned many small-business owners share the same creed as his family: Never scrimp on ingredients, buy the best product you can, treat your employees well. And they agree that sometimes, even after all that effort, success simply comes down to luck.

"We're all the same, the frame of mind is the same," he said.

"We're so fortunate to have our mom as our business mentor," his brother chimed in.

Karen Gaudette: 206-515-5618 or kgaudette@seattletimes.com