Crisis Communications: Celebrity Chef Edition

Any lazy Sunday afternoon I have all to myself is the perfect opportunity to kick up my feet and watch a couple of cooking shows. There is a nostalgic feeling I get whenever I watch my favorite Food Network celebrity chefs. I can remember being 9 years old and cooking dinner with my mom while simultaneously watching the next episode of Rachael Ray's "30 Minute Meals" or listening for a new appetizer recipe on Giada's “Everyday Italian.” No matter the show, I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for every celebrity chef on Food Network.

Food Network chefs receive the same type of negative PR attention that other celebrities deal with. Earlier this summer, Food Network did not renew Paula Deen’s contract after a lawsuit was filed against her for racial discrimination. Recently, Rachael Ray made an appearance on Andy Cohen’s show, Watch What Happens Live! She was put in an uncomfortable situation when a viewer asked Rachael, “What are your opinions on the way the Food Network handled the Paula Deen situation?”
Ray awkwardly replied with “You know, Food Network loves Paula Deen, and I think they were really caught between a hot pan and a hard place there…I believe that one day the whole family will make up, as all good families do.” 

I’m sure the Food Network public relations team immediately cringed after hearing that Ray implied that the cooking channel would make up with Deen and eventually ask her to come back on their network. I don’t think it was in Ray’s best interest to express the views of an entire network. However she was put into a difficult situation of trying to honestly answer a fan’s question. At the end of the day, Ray probably just wants to see Deen reunited with the rest of the Food Network family. 

I don’t think that Rachael’s response was a message that Food Network attempted to leak. The network made it clear by not renewing Deen's contract that they have no interest in rehiring Paula Deen. Food Network dealt with a huge crisis communication plan when Deen's scandal erupted. The network had two options: 1) They can keep Deen around and supporting her through this difficult trial or 2) They can not renew her contract in order to keep viewers, who are not tolerant of discrimination, watching the network. 

Food Network made a smart decision to let go of Deen. During a crisis communication situation, specialists know to "tell the truth, tell it all, tell it fast and move on." The network did just that by quickly responding to the situation and moving on from the scandal by firing Deen. Ethically, the network was serving in the public's best interest by removing Deen from their television lineup.


Deen's transgression was unforgivable because as a celebrity chef she is a public figure who has a responsibility to be tolerant of all her viewers and other individuals she comes into contact with. Any star or celebrity chef is constantly in the public's eye. They need to be aware that their negative words, actions and misbehaviors will always be used against them. 

Even I, someone who grew up enjoying every minute of "Paula's Home Cooking" show, am disappointed in Deen's behavior. However, I do not think this is the end of Deen's career. She has a devoted fan base and I bet a different network will be picking up a new southern cooking show for her in the future. 

Although celebrities can often be asked uncomfortable questions during interviews, it is important to remain as unbiased as possible. This especially applies when talking about fellow co-stars. Thank goodness stars and celebrity chefs have publicists to help them clean up their crisis communication messes!