LOUDON, Tenn. (WVLT) - Christina Deyo spent decades commuting into New York City to work as a food producer on shows for food megastars like Martha Stewart and Rosie O'Donnell.

The Emmy Award winner even had on-air segments as Crafty Christina and a run of her own Food Network show called "Lighten Up."

"Rosie and I used to always joke about who was the decoupage queen!" said Deyo about her time teaching craft projects on that television show.

Vacations to Dollywood and the mountains of East Tennessee were what finally drew her family of eight to make this area their home. Deyo said her six children were excited about the change.

"I think they like the slower pace, too. I think they like that we have more time to do things."

Deyo and her husband bought the old SunTrust bank building in historic downtown Loudon, transforming it into a classroom setting for culinary arts and home crafts. She established the Cook N Craft Academy, where she teaches children and adults.

"I don't want to see cooking and crafting become a lost art," said Deyo. "I really think that it's so important because it connects the family together."

The two youngest daughters enjoy trying out various slime recipes and selecting the best ones for kids' crafting classes. Plus, her children say they enjoy cooking with her. Her 12-year-old daughter, Rebecca, said "She has like a strategy of making it fun!"

Deyo said she teaches everything from intricate dinner recipes she used to create with the Martha Stewart show to cookie recipes
that kids can bake. She hosts children's birthday parties and prepares seasonal events such as holiday baking and crafting workshops.
Her kitchen is able to handle large quantities with professional-grade appliances.

"All I ever wanted was an Easy Bake Oven," said Deyo. "I never got my Easy Bake Oven. But now, 50 years later, I have my Blodgett Easy Bake Oven. It bakes over 500 cookies at once."