Cooking
show host Paula Deen pictured at Fox Studios in New York
on December 6, 2012
(Getty Images/AFP/File, Slaven Vlasic)
|
WASHINGTON
— Walmart, the world's largest retailer, distanced itself from cooking star
Paula Deen, saying it would end new business with her company after she made
racist remarks.
"We
are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place
new orders beyond those already committed," said Danit Marquardt, a
Walmart spokesperson, on Wednesday.
"We
will work with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements."
It was the
latest body blow to the small empire of the 66-year-old celebrity chef who has
styled herself as the queen of US Southern cooking. She also has been dropped
by The Food Network, Smithfield Foods, Caesars Entertainment and Home Depot.
Deen is a
culinary institution in the United States. In addition to hosting several
television shows, she has published more than a dozen cookbooks, opened two
restaurants (including Bubba's) in Savannah, Georgia, and launched product
lines.
The
silver-haired, blue-eyed chef has faced criticism over her remarks in a
deposition for a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee. Deen
admitted in the document to using racist language in the workplace.
"I
want to apologize to everybody for the wrong that I've done. I want to learn
and grow from this," Deen said haltingly in a first video posted on
YouTube that was later removed from the video-sharing website.
"Inappropriate
and hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable."
In a longer
video, Deen said that "your color of your skin, your religion, your sexual
preference does not matter."
"I was
wrong, yes, I've worked hard, and I have made mistakes, but that is no excuse
and I offer my sincere apology to those that I have hurt, and I hope that you
forgive me because this comes from the deepest part of my heart," she
added, more composed this time.
Lisa
Jackson, the general manager of Uncle Bubba's Oyster House, filed a lawsuit
against Deen last year claiming she had suffered sexual and racial
discrimination at work.
Known for
her love of butter and fried fare, Deen is no stranger to controversy.
Last year,
fans were outraged when she announced she had Type 2 diabetes and that same day
backed diabetes drug Victoza and teamed up with its manufacturer Novo Nordisk
in a lucrative deal.
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