The Food Network has issued a statement responding to racial comments one of its star chefs, Paula Deen, made in deposition she gave for a discrimination suit against her and other defendants.
“Food Network does not tolerate any form of discrimination and is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion. We will continue to monitor the situation,” a Food Network spokeswoman said.
In the deposition, Deen described wanting to have a “very southern style wedding” for her brother modeled after a restaurant where the “whole entire wait staff was middle-aged black men” wearing in white jackets and black bow ties. She also admitted to having used the N word.
Deen, her company, her brother, and the corporations that operate two restaurants she owns are being sued by an ex-employee named Lisa Jackson who has claimed she was subjected to sexist, racist, and violent behavior during the time she worked at one of the restaurants. Attorneys for Deen and her brother have denied the allegations.
