CLIFF NOTES: She sold multiple stories to various tabloids during the Paula Deen trial, then later admitted that her 'racist' claims against Paula were 100% made up lies. Should we feel sorry because she is Black, or are there zero fucks given for a backstabbing liar who sold out her BFF at the exact moment that friend most desperately needed her support?
EXCLUSIVE: Black chef who accused Paula Deen of racism cooks her own goose: Woman fired by star is living hand to mouth while TV cook crows about $75m comeback
A chef who worked alongside Paula Deen for over 20 years and came forward to support claims that Deen was a racist, is now struggling to make ends meet after losing her job with the millionaire celebrity cook—herself on the verge of a huge comeback.
Dora Charles was considered by Deen to be a close friend and her most valuable chef, having worked alongside the fallen food star from the start of her culinary career.
Charles helped develop many of the southern recipes that have made Deen a household name and a multimillionaire.
But after Charles spoke out when the 66-year-old was embroiled in allegations that she had used the 'n-word' last summer, she was fired by Deen.
And now, while Deen has launched her comeback with the announcement of a $75 million restaurant near Dollywood in Tennessee, Charles is living from hand to mouth.
The contrast between the two women, who were so close they called each other 'Soul Sisters.' could not be greater.
Since being let go from Deen's flagship restaurant Lady & Sons in Savannah, Georgia, Charles has found it hard to get regular work.
Friends say Charles, who lives in a trailer home where she looks after her four grandchildren, is surviving on savings.
When contacted by MailOnline, Charles referred all calls to her attorney. That lawyer, Wesley Wolf, confirmed to MailOnline that she is no longer working for Deen and is not employed as a chef in a restaurant or a school.
‘I have no comment to make on Mrs. Charles's employment,’ he said.
He said Charles was not allowed to talk about her past employment and friendship with Deen, but would not explain why. But he denied that 60-year-old Charles had been threatened with or was facing legal action from Deen.
‘When the time is right we will say what she has been doing. I am not going to say anything now.'
It followed the publication of a highly damaging New York Times interview with Charles, where she made allegations that added fuel to the fire after Deen was first accused of racism.
'When the paper came out the manager came into the kitchen and told her to go home,' said a staff member.
'We haven't heard from her or seen her since. But you cannot bad mouth your employer and still expect to have a job.'
Just why Charles chose to speak out and 'betray' her close friend has baffled many people who know her.
'She lost a perfectly good job and for what?' said one neighbor.
'Paula has been very good to her over the years. Dora might not be a millionaire but she had a job for life. She threw it away.
Charles’ comments about Deen's alleged mistreatment cemented the perception of many that the celebrity chef was a racist.
Charles claimed black staff were asked to wear Aunt Jemima-style outfits. She also alleged that they were asked to ring a bell while hollering "come and get it" in a throwback to the past.
Charles said that she was paid just $10 an hour and had to endure the TV chef using racist language around her.
Deen denied all the allegations and her lawyers issued a statement which said: ‘Fundamentally Dora’s complaint is not about race but about money. It is about an employee that despite over 20 years of generosity feels that she still deserves yet even more financial support from Paula Deen.’
In reality, before being fired from Lady & Sons, Charles was earning $71,000 a year and held the title of quality control manager.
Charles would also accompany Deen on cruises where the celebrity chef would give cooking classes and appeared on TV shows as Deen's assistant.
But friends said the bitterness that Deen went on to make millions while Charles remained a salaried employee became too much to contend with.
EXCLUSIVE: Black chef who accused Paula Deen of racism cooks her own goose: Woman fired by star is living hand to mouth while TV cook crows about $75m comeback
- Adding insult to injury, Paula is crowing about her new restaurant near Dollywood
- Charles added to the feeding frenzy when Paula was accused of being a racist and using the n-word
- Charles' lawyer tells MailOnline she is not working as a chef in a restaurant or at a school
- Paula once called Dora her 'soul sister' but now Dora spends her days looking after her four grandchildren
A chef who worked alongside Paula Deen for over 20 years and came forward to support claims that Deen was a racist, is now struggling to make ends meet after losing her job with the millionaire celebrity cook—herself on the verge of a huge comeback.
Dora Charles was considered by Deen to be a close friend and her most valuable chef, having worked alongside the fallen food star from the start of her culinary career.
Charles helped develop many of the southern recipes that have made Deen a household name and a multimillionaire.
But after Charles spoke out when the 66-year-old was embroiled in allegations that she had used the 'n-word' last summer, she was fired by Deen.
And now, while Deen has launched her comeback with the announcement of a $75 million restaurant near Dollywood in Tennessee, Charles is living from hand to mouth.
The contrast between the two women, who were so close they called each other 'Soul Sisters.' could not be greater.
Since being let go from Deen's flagship restaurant Lady & Sons in Savannah, Georgia, Charles has found it hard to get regular work.
Friends say Charles, who lives in a trailer home where she looks after her four grandchildren, is surviving on savings.
When contacted by MailOnline, Charles referred all calls to her attorney. That lawyer, Wesley Wolf, confirmed to MailOnline that she is no longer working for Deen and is not employed as a chef in a restaurant or a school.
‘I have no comment to make on Mrs. Charles's employment,’ he said.
He said Charles was not allowed to talk about her past employment and friendship with Deen, but would not explain why. But he denied that 60-year-old Charles had been threatened with or was facing legal action from Deen.
‘When the time is right we will say what she has been doing. I am not going to say anything now.'
It followed the publication of a highly damaging New York Times interview with Charles, where she made allegations that added fuel to the fire after Deen was first accused of racism.
'When the paper came out the manager came into the kitchen and told her to go home,' said a staff member.
'We haven't heard from her or seen her since. But you cannot bad mouth your employer and still expect to have a job.'
Just why Charles chose to speak out and 'betray' her close friend has baffled many people who know her.
'She lost a perfectly good job and for what?' said one neighbor.
'Paula has been very good to her over the years. Dora might not be a millionaire but she had a job for life. She threw it away.
Charles’ comments about Deen's alleged mistreatment cemented the perception of many that the celebrity chef was a racist.
Charles claimed black staff were asked to wear Aunt Jemima-style outfits. She also alleged that they were asked to ring a bell while hollering "come and get it" in a throwback to the past.
Charles said that she was paid just $10 an hour and had to endure the TV chef using racist language around her.
Deen denied all the allegations and her lawyers issued a statement which said: ‘Fundamentally Dora’s complaint is not about race but about money. It is about an employee that despite over 20 years of generosity feels that she still deserves yet even more financial support from Paula Deen.’
In reality, before being fired from Lady & Sons, Charles was earning $71,000 a year and held the title of quality control manager.
Charles would also accompany Deen on cruises where the celebrity chef would give cooking classes and appeared on TV shows as Deen's assistant.
But friends said the bitterness that Deen went on to make millions while Charles remained a salaried employee became too much to contend with.
after reading the article and the comments... Did the lady admit to lying about Paula Deen or what?
