Paula Deen Fired: Food Network Lets Go of Slur-Using Chef

Paula Deen hasn't been fired by The Food Network per se, but she certainly isn't being asked to return. 

The celebrity chef, who drew ire for her admission that she had used racist slurs in the past (and even more ire for her seemingly guilt-free attitude about this), will reach the end of her contract with the network at the end of June, and Food says it will not renew her program. 

According to a source from the channel speaking to TMZ, Food believed that Deen had the potential to defuse the situation but her own awkward reactions  and the actions of her personal relations personnel only intensified the situation. On Friday the chef released a series of uncomfortable apology videos on YouTube that didn't make anyone feel better, and she also cancelled an appearance with Matt Lauer that could have served to calm the masses. 

The Deen family in general will not be punished for Paula's actions however. Her son Bobby, the host of "Not My Mama's Meals," will not be dropped from the company. We imagine that it might still be an uncomfortable situation for the younger Deen, but best of luck to him. 

Paula did not hold any bitterness for the network's decision however. She sent out a sincere thank-you to the channel (at least more sincere than her apologies to viewers) via a statement. 

"Because of the gift the Food Network gave me, I've had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country," she said. 

The cook has drawn criticism before, mainly when speaking about the roots of her Southern family. In 2012 she raised eyebrows when discussing her great grandfather's concerns after the Civil War on how he was going to run his farm without the "help."