Posted on 02/15/2014 7:04:05 PM PST by RoosterRedux
The queen of Southern cuisine is making a comeback — and this time she's all business.
Paula Deen's newly formed company, Paula Deen Ventures, has secured between $75 million and $100 million of funding from private equity firm Najafi Cos, which is led by Book-of-the-Month Club owner Jahm Najafi. This latest enterprise will entail the restructuring of the chef's many brands, which include Paula Deen Foods, Paula Deen Restaurants, and Paula Deen Media.
“We know that the enterprise will be successful and valuable, as Paula and her team continue to bring quality products and experiences to her loyal fan base; and now we have a proven management team in place to build and lead the organization,” Najafi said in a statement.
New business deals are already on the horizon: The company is discussing possible partnerships with TV networks, retail chains and other partners, according to Paula Deen Ventures' chief executive Steven Nanula. The Food Network, which announced it would not renew Deen's contract last June, is not on that list.
This new company was formed less than a year after Deen, 67, found herself embroiled in scandal when she admitted to using the "n"-word and planning a "plantation-style Southern wedding" during a court deposition that went public last May. In the wake of those revelations, the TV chef lost at least 12 business deals, with companies like Walgreens, J.C. Penney and Smithfield Foods terminating her contracts.
(Excerpt) Read more at today.com ...
As an aside, I ate at her restaurant in Savannah on a Sunday and it was buffet only. The food was mediocre at best (but I know Southern food).
But that said, I think she's a keeper.
Good for her. I want to see race baiters’ heads exploding....
At the mention of her name, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackwagon are barfing up nails at the mention of her name.
Have never watched her shows; doubt I ever will. But good for her. If every white person in this country that had EVER used the “N” word lost their job, where would the government get it’s tax money from? Tired of the old double standard; I can’t use the word, but blacks can toss it around like pizza dough. Screw all the PC crap.
She’s actually a pretty good TV cook. Cute and entertaining.
That didn't fit any better with the whole 'keep fit America' bit any better than Twiggy's jeans would have fit.
I love how many Freepers talk about how Democrats are racist, then when a diehard leftist is outed as a racist, they rush to defend them.
I can go with cute. But having never seen the show, I will concede entertaining. Just a lot of PC BS about something a long time ago.
I have to wonder when KFC will be run out of business for selling friend chicken? OOPS!!! My bad; friend chicken is so racist.
Sounds like you have your own double standards. Democrats like Paula Deen get off the hook, while conservatives lose everything. And I reject your argument that most white people are racist.
Who cares who Paula votes for. She's an idiot in the world of politics...she's a cook and restauranteur for God's sake.
And she did tell the truth about the First Beard loving to eat fatty foods.
Bingo.
Southern white libtard.
No thanks.
Too bad the rest of humanity isn't.
She’s a racist?
So all white people are good and nonwhite people are bad?
She was unjustly driven out of business by race baiters and their corporate media lackeys. Maybe this episode has taught her who she should or shouldn’t be supporting in the future.
maybe she should get rid of the bile. She’s the one who treats people like some scum. The woman she was sued by was WHITE, not black.
I am Southern and White and spent my career in NYC (on Wall St). I was amazed at how much hatred there was toward Southerners.
My mother started the Head Start program in my hometown and was subjected to incredible vitriol by both Blacks and Whites (though many of her kids are now part of productive society).
Hatred is a human fault (perhaps demonic is a better term for it)...it knows no racial or geographic boundaries.
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