Paula Deen will Cook No More with the Food Network
At the height of her controversy on racism, Paula Deen will be out of the Food Network's kitchen after her current contract ends. Despite having a couple of apology videos posted online, the celebrity cook will not be associated with the channel anymore. This development was cooked from Deen's penchant for uttering racial slurs.
Court documents suggest that Deen told an attorney that she used the derogatory N-word but it was a long time ago. After the decision was handed down, the Food Network declined to give further comments. The representatives of Deen did the same. At the height of the interview, she declined a guesting at the NBC Today Show even though she was already in New York City and instead broadcasted the videos on YouTube to gain full control of her words.
In a remorseful tone, the first video shows Deen begging for forgiveness due to the hurtful language that she has uttered. The video lasted for 45 seconds and edits were obviously done to make it sound straight to the point. The first video was taken down and a new video that lasts for almost two minutes was broadcasted to replace the first. In the second video, she explained that a person's race and sexual preference are not important. Deen also added that her family is not like what the press portrays.
Deen's current plight was triggered by a discrimination lawsuit filed by Lisa Jackson who once managed Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House in Savannah, Georgia which was owned by Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers. In her complaint, Jackson revealed counts of sexual harassment, racial attacks and innuendo while she was employed there.
A deposition was done last May and Deen was interrogated about all the accusations by Jackson regarding her racist demeanour. She told that jokes often target minorities but she alone cannot say what is offending or not. She also added that she and her brother never looked at skin color. Rather, what's important to them are the intelligence and moral character of a person.
To prove that she is not racist, Deen thought of hiring African-American waiters for the wedding of Hines in 2007. Yet, the idea was scrapped. The Food Network introduced Paula Deen to kitchen enthusiasts through shows like "Paula's Home Cooking" in 2002, "Paula's Party" in 2006 and "Paula's Best Dishes" in 2008. She has also been a guest judge in Top Chef and MasterChef.
Aside from this, Deen has written several cookbooks and maintains a bi-monthly cooking magazine. She also has cookware, condiments and furniture after her name. The 66-year-old Deen also won a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Lifestyle Show Host for Paula's Home Cooking.