During an Oct. 11 appearance on "Today" with host Matt Lauer (right), celebrity chef Paula Deen reacts to Maxim magazine naming her the "hottest female TV chef."

What’s the saying? That the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach? Since Maxim magazine recently named Southern celebrity chef Paula Deen the “Hottest Female TV Chef,” it seems as if it helps that the path is paved with plenty of calories and butter.

And speaking of butter–something many joke Paula Deen is synonymous with–the men’s magazine took it a step further by depicting the cook (who admitted she can’t live without her deep fryer) as a stick of it. In reaction to the honor and dubious representation, Paula told Matt Lauer on “The Today Show,” “I hope it’s salted.”

Rounding out the Top 5, Maxim tapped “Top Chef” judge Padma Lakshmi as No. 2, Giada DeLaurentiis as No. 3, Aida Mollenkamp of “Ask Aida” and “FoodCrafters” as No. 4, and Eden Grinshpan of the Cooking Channel’s “Eden Eats” as No. 5.

Deen’s light-hearted distinction comes on the heels of Anthony Bourdain’s recent snipe that she is “the worst, most dangerous person to America” because of the fatty foods for which she’s known. The outspoken chef and personality of the “No Reservations” television series went so far as to say that Deen is “proud” that her dishes are unhealthy.

That’s not a completely fair assessment, as she (like many restaurants, food magazines and chefs) is pushing foods that are better for you. Her Cooking With Paula Deen magazine underwent a makeover about a year ago to include a section titled “On the Lighter Side.”

And on a recent segment of “The Dr. Oz Show,” Deen accepted the challenge issued by the host to cut the fat and calories in some of her favorite dishes (she chose fried chicken and macaroni and cheese) by half–which she pulled off successfully.

She also let it slip that she’d consider collaborating with Dr. Oz on a healthy cookbook–at his request. Stay tuned for more on that.