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 ...
Gee,I remember going to Asia as a white American and life and business were very difficult for all that were in the group.In fact we were treated like outcast.
Yeah Baby!
Please Paula, please buy NBC/MSNBC.
Jesse Jackson declares his support for Paula Deen
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. attacked after tweeting that Paula Deen should not be destroyed
Just so you know, you are on Jesse Jackson and the Obama spin machine's side.
I liked her because she had a nice way about her, LOVED to cook AND loved to eat her own cooking.
You NEVER, EVER saw that skinny woman Giada Whatsherskinnyass eat her own cooking. She PROBABLY took a bite, chewed it a bit then SPIT it out. I
I am ALWAYS suspicious of skinny chefs. That is UNCLEAR on the concept!
Lighten up dude. It’s Saturday night!
Was that conversation with Paula Deen?
Heheh!
She s a flaming Liberal, like Nancy Grace.
What part do you take issue with? I'm Southern and white.
And I believe Ronald Reagan believe the exact same ways as me. But Bill Clinton, yeah he would think that is great. So if you want to say I am some stuck up Reagan-type Boy Scout, that is fine with me. Criticize me, because I am not some "with it" Clinton type, fine. I accept what I am. Hope you can too.
I haven’t had anything stronger than water tonight.
Come on, what do you think?
Paula Deen is an idiot, libtard, right along the lines of Lady Bird phony Johnson.
For crying out loud, I live in Mississippi.
Paula Deen is a Lady Bird Johnson.
Yes, I know the type. When everybody is around she’s all nice. As soon as she walks back she treats everybody around her like vermin.
If so, I stand corrected...source please.
On a related note from yesterday:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/bc5481d14c5daea31604cf32daedc1b5/tumblr_mhxynesi691qk9qido1_500.jpg
That’s obvious, but that wasn’t what I asked.
Her food is too damned expensive. A $20 pot pie? I don’t think so.
I wish Paula the best, and I hope she improves the quality of the metal in her kitchen knife line.
Sharpton and Jackson are figuring out how to get a chunk of dat money.
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