A former employee had been Paula Smith . Savannah is where Deen built her business and brand into what many consider the folksy face of Southern cooking . Smith 's career went into a tailspin after her deposition in the case . In her deposition , Deen admitted that the ` ` 1 - 1 '' Lawsuit was dismissed ` ` with prejudice , '' meaning it could not be filed again .
A former employee had been Paula Smith . Smith 's career went into a tailspin after her deposition in the case . In her deposition , Deen admitted that the ` ` 1 - 1 '' Lawsuit was dismissed ` ` with prejudice , '' meaning it could not be filed again .