Nearly three months after begging America for forgiveness for using radical slurs, celebrity chef Paula Deen is back in the spotlight.
Deen made her first public appearance this weekend in Texas since her infamous N-word scandal in June. Deen got a standing ovation when she ascended the stage to join her sons, Jamie and Bobby Deen, at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Houston.
According to ABC News, the chef's appearance turned out to be pretty emotional experience, with the 66-year-old broke down into tears.
"These are tears of joy, y'all," she said, according to People. "This is my first time out in three months. The one place I wanted to make my first step out was in Texas. You are forgiving folks with hearts as big as your state."
The two-day event featured cooking demonstrations, workshops, book signings and appearances by Food Network celebrities, according to its website. Tickets cost about $400.
Deen watched as her empire crumbled due to the scandal. Retail stars such as Target, Home Depot, Sears and Kmart have cut ties with the chef's industry and refuse to sell her cooking supplies.
"We all experience pain in some way but pain is also a good thing because it makes you grow," said Deen, according to ABC News.
Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers, were the subject of a lawsuit by former restaurant employee, Lisa Jackson, who alleges she was the victim of sexual harassment and other employees of the African American race were subject to racial discrimination.
During a videotaped deposition, Deen admitted to using the N-word.
Deen plans to be at a number of book signings at her various restaurants in Savannah, Ga., for the launch of Jamie Deen's new cookbook through the end of the year, according to her website.
Last month, a federal judge threw out the radical discrimination claims against Deen. A settlement was reached with Jackson.
