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Tag: celebrity chefs

  • Paula Deen to Launch Her Own Digital Network

    Paula Deen Ventures, the company behind celebrity chef Paula Deen‘s media initiatives, today announced that it will launch the Paula Deen Network sometime in September. The digital network will feature daily programming and recipes from Deen, who is best known for her Food Network show Paula’s Home Cooking.

    “While Paula had several offers to return to broadcast television, she ultimately decided to launch the Paula Deen Network because it gives her a greater level of direct access to her millions of fans when it is convenient for them,” said Steven Nanula, CEO of Paula Deen Ventures. “In addition, Paula will enjoy full creative control of the shows, recipes, and content, and be able to give her fans exactly what they love most about her. With 4.2 million fans on Facebook and 1.24 million followers on Twitter, it was clear to us that an interactive digital network was the way to go.”

    Deen was forced off TV and dropped by her publisher one year ago after admitting during a court hearing that she had used racial slurs in the past. Deen recently announced a 20-city Paula Deen Live! comeback tour of live cooking shows.

    The Paula Deen Network will feature on-demand content from Deen that can be accessed via computer, tablets, and smartphones, with smart TV access planned for he future. A preview of the network will be shown during Deen’s Paula Deen Live! shows. Deen has also released a Youtube video promoting the new network.

    The network will be subscription-based, requiring fans to pay up to access the content. A 14-day trial offering of the service will be available at launch and pre-registration will begin in July.

    “I’m so excited about my new online Network and can’t wait to show everyone what we’ve been working on,” said Deen. “We’re going to have so much fun being together and cooking up some wonderful new and classic dishes. Y’all can get my recipes, tips, and cooking anytime you want – this is for you.”

    Image via Youtube

  • Walmart Drops Paula Deen: Embattled Chef Loses Another Brand

    Embattled TV chef Paula Deen has lost yet another corporate deal in the wake of revelations regarding her use of racial slurs. The retail giant announced today that it would not be ordering any more of Deen’s branded merchandise beyond orders that have already been placed. Once the merchandise that Walmart has already committed to is sold, they will not be ordering more.

    This announcement follows closely on the heels of announcements by numerous other companies who are practically stampeding away from Deen in the last few days. Food Network announced that it was dropping her show and severing all ties with Deen, while Target has made an announcement similar to Walmart’s. Earlier today, we reported that diabetes drug maker Novo Nordisk had “suspended” its partnership with Deen. Earlier this week Smithfield Foods announced they were dropping her as well.

    Deen’s career tailspin started late last week when a discrimination lawsuit was filed against her by a former employee. The suit was brought by Lisa Jackson, a former employee at Paula’s Oyster House in Georgia. Jackson alleged that Deen and her brother Bubba had repeatedly used racial slurs in the Jackson’s presence and had behaved in a discriminatory fashion.

    While the suit in itself might not have been terrible for Deen’s career, the deposition she gave has proven to be the major problem. When asked during the deposition whether she had ever used the N-word, Deen (who was born in Georgia in 1947), replied “Of course.” She went on to clarify that the one instance she remembered was in relation to the robbery of a bank where she worked as a teller in the 1980s, and deny that she had ever used the word with any regularity.

    After companies started cutting ties with Deen she made an appearance on The Today Show, where she discussed the situation with Matt Lauer. Unfortunately for Deen many – including, apparently, some of her sponsors and retail partners – felt that her performance on the show was not sufficient to undo the damage to her brand.

  • Paula Deen Is “Looking Forward To Her Day In Court”

    Paula Deen, the Southern celebrity chef who has made delicious comfort food and down-home charm her trademark, is in headlines this week after a lawsuit filed by a former employer accused her of using the “N” word and making other racist comments. Portions of the deposition have been leaked online, and now the entrepreneur and restaurant owner is receiving some backlash for statements she made regarding African Americans.

    Former Paula’s Oyster House employee Lisa Jackson says Deen used racial slurs and that her brother, Bubba, sexually harassed her and also made racist comments. In a portion of the deposition released yesterday, Deen admitted to the slurs but said it happened a long time ago, not recently as Jackson claims.

    Lawyer: Have you ever used the N-word yourself?
    Paula: Yes, of course.

    Lawyer: Okay. In what context?
    Paula: Well, it was probably when a black man burst into the bank that I was working at and put a gun to my head.

    Sidenote — Paula was held up at gunpoint during a bank robbery in 1986.

    Lawyer: Okay. And what did you say?
    Paula: Well, I don’t remember, but the gun was dancing all around my temple … I didn’t — I didn’t feel real favorable towards him.

    Lawyer: Okay. Well, did you use the N-word to him as he pointed a gun in your head at your face?
    Paula: Absolutely not.

    Lawyer: Well, then, when did you use it?
    Paula: Probably in telling my husband.

    Lawyer: Okay. Have you used it since then?
    Paula: I’m sure I have, but it’s been a very long time.

    Lawyer: Can you remember the context in which you have used the N-word?
    Paula: No.

    Lawyer: Has it occurred with sufficient frequency that you cannot recall all of the various context in which you’ve used it?
    Paula: No, no.

    Lawyer: Well, then tell me the other context in which you’ve used the N-word?
    Paula: I don’t know, maybe in repeating something that was said to me.

    Lawyer: Like a joke?
    Paula: No, probably a conversation between blacks. I don’t — I don’t know. But that’s just not a word that we use as time has gone on. Things have changed since the ’60s in the south. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do.

    Deen’s lawyer says his client is looking forward to having her say about her comments.

    “Contrary to media reports, Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable,” her lawyer, Bill Franklin said. “She is looking forward to her day in court.”

  • Paula Deen: Racist Accusations Bring Shocking Admissions

    Paula Deen–who has built an empire out of Southern cooking, charm, and butter–is involved in a lawsuit by one of her former employees, and now the 66-year old is facing backlash after portions of her deposition were leaked.

    Deen is accused by Lisa Jackson–who used to work at Paula’s Oyster House in Georgia–of using the “N” word more than once and says Paula’s brother, Bubba, sexually harassed her. Deen admits to using the racial slur, but never towards Jackson.

    According to TMZ, one portion of the depo reads:

    Lawyer: Have you ever used the N-word yourself?
    Paula: Yes, of course.

    Lawyer: Okay. In what context?
    Paula: Well, it was probably when a black man burst into the bank that I was working at and put a gun to my head.

    Sidenote — Paula was held up at gunpoint during a bank robbery in 1986.

    Lawyer: Okay. And what did you say?
    Paula: Well, I don’t remember, but the gun was dancing all around my temple … I didn’t — I didn’t feel real favorable towards him.

    Lawyer: Okay. Well, did you use the N-word to him as he pointed a gun in your head at your face?
    Paula: Absolutely not.

    Lawyer: Well, then, when did you use it?
    Paula: Probably in telling my husband.

    Lawyer: Okay. Have you used it since then?
    Paula: I’m sure I have, but it’s been a very long time.

    Lawyer: Can you remember the context in which you have used the N-word?
    Paula: No.

    Lawyer: Has it occurred with sufficient frequency that you cannot recall all of the various context in which you’ve used it?
    Paula: No, no.

    Lawyer: Well, then tell me the other context in which you’ve used the N-word?
    Paula: I don’t know, maybe in repeating something that was said to me.

    Lawyer: Like a joke?
    Paula: No, probably a conversation between blacks. I don’t — I don’t know. But that’s just not a word that we use as time has gone on. Things have changed since the ’60s in the south. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do.

    So far, Deen has not commented publicly, but this could be a huge blow to her brand, her rep, and her career.