Famous Food

Paula Deen has filed legal docs in the lawsuit that sent her career into a free fall -- claiming the woman who's suing her is trumping up racial allegations and now Paula is out for blood.

Lisa Jackson -- who claims she was forced to quit her job as manager of Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House -- is asking for damages based on racial harassment, claiming she's African-American adjacent. As for Jackson's proof she's got African-American ties, she points to her partner's biracial niece, whom Jackson claims is half Black.

According to Paula's new legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- Jackson's niece is NOT Black at all ... not even a little. Paula says Jackson's partner has now admitted the niece is Hispanic -- NOT Black.

And Paula's especially pissed that Jackson alleged in her lawsuit that Paula used the N-word in connection with Bubba's wedding, yet has never offered a shred of proof that the word was used.

Justin Bieber is a paranoid, self-absorbed megalomaniac ... is what you've gotta think after seeing the laughable rules he sets for photo shoots -- including a ban on speaking to the Bieber, and NEVER playing his ex ... Selena Gomez's music.

TMZ has obtained a rider from a Bieber photo shoot earlier this month, and other restrictions include NO cell phones and NO autographs whatsoever ... which are actually pretty common demands.

But Bieber also has a laundry list of food demands on set -- including herbal teas, a deli platter, a veggie platter, a large pack of Swedish Fish, Ritz Bits Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Ritz Bitz Cheese Sandwiches, and 2 large packs of Haribo cola gummies.

Munchies much?

Bieber also must have a serious sweating problem -- because he asks for several packs of white undershirts, tanks and socks as well. Weird.

Then of course, there's the required boombox with an iPhone 5 connector ... for tunes.

Paula Deen can't apologize enough to stop the bleeding -- Kmart and Sears are now cutting ties with her in the wake of the n-word controversy ... TMZ has learned.

Sears Holdings -- owner of Sears and Kmart stores -- tells us, "After careful consideration of all available information, we have made the decision to phase out all products tied to [Paula Deen's] brand."

But the retail giants -- which carry Deen's cookware and dishware lines -- seem to be guilty of a little fence-sitting, because they added ... "We will continue to evaluate the situation."

Yesterday Home Depot, Target, and QVC also jumped ship ... following the Food Network's lead.

What's that saying about a pound of flesh?

After waiting around to see which way the wind blew ... QVC -- like a lemming -- followed the rest of Paula Deen's partners and dropped the chef in the wake of the n-word scandal.

Initially, QVC refused to take a stand -- saying they were closely monitoring the situation.

Now, after just about every company connected to Deen jumped ship ... QVC has sheepishly made its move ... announcing Paula will not appear on any upcoming broadcasts ... for now.

In fact, the head of QVC released a statement saying, "Some of you may wonder whether this is a 'forever' decision – whether we are simply ending our association with Paula. We don’t think that’s how relationships work. People deserve second chances. And we always strive to do the right thing." One question: Huh?

For her part, Paula released her own statement regarding the QVC split, saying, "As you know, I have some important things to work on right now, both personally and professionally. And so we’ve agreed that it’s best for me to step back from QVC and focus on setting things right."

Who's next?

Paula Deen's in the crosshairs at Target -- with the retail chain telling TMZ they will NOT continue to do business with the chef in the wake of her N-word scandal.

FYI -- Target offers a variety of Paula Deen cookware ... including pots, pans and skillets.

A rep for Target tells TMZ ... "We have made a decision to phase out the Paula Deen merchandise in our stores as well as on Target.com. Once the merchandise is sold out, we will not be replenishing inventory."

Meanwhile, Puma has yet to drop Aaron Hernandez. Just sayin ...

Paula Deen's situation is so bad ... even diabetes is distancing itself from the crazy cook.

TMZ has learned ... Paula and diabetes drug maker Novo Nordisk have parted ways ... at least for now. Deen -- who has Type 2 diabetes -- was a spokesperson for the company's campaign, "Diabetes in a New Light." Paula was singing the virtue of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Victoza, which she takes ... she also ironically was promoting "lifestyle changes."

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson tells TMZ ... they have mutually agreed with Paula to part ways for now, "while she takes time to focus her attention where it is needed."

In their never-ending pursuit of manliness, the guys from One Direction spent Tuesday night on the prowl for tattoos and fried chicken ... and lucky for them, they hit the bloody jackpot in Maryland.

TMZ has learned ... the guys were passing through Glen Burnie, MD this week when they had a sudden urge for some new body art -- so they sent their bodyguard to scope out some of the local needle joints.

We're told the bodyguard liked what he saw when he walked into Tattooed Heart Studios ... and 20 minutes later, in came Liam, Zayn and Louis.

Zayn and Louis each came prepared with some designs in mind -- Zayn wanted an image his of GF's face ... and Louis wanted doodles on his forearm of a spiderweb ('cause he likes Spider-Man) and a bomb ('cause he's da bomb?).

During the session, we're told the guys had a craving for some fried chicken -- so they sent their bodyguard to a nearby KFC, where he picked up a bucket of finger lickin' deliciousness.

Another one bites the dust ... Paula Deen has just been dropped by Walmart.

The retail giant just released a statement, saying, "We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed."

Walmart is Paula's latest business partner to sever ties with the celebrity chef in the wake of her n-word scandal ... a list that includes the Food Network, the Caesars casino company, and the ham company Smithfield.

Deen appeared on "Today" this morning, offering a tearful apology -- saying, "If there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back ... please pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me."

Et tu, Caesars?

The casino company just announced it will be KILLING its professional relationship with Paula Deen -- and will close all 4 of her restaurants that operate on its properties.

FYI -- Deen has restaurants in Harrah's Tunica near Memphis, Harrah's Joliet near Chicago, Harrah's Cherokee in North Carolina ... and a buffet at Horseshoe Southern Indiana.

But fear not hungry gamblers, Caesars says it intends to rebrand Paula's restaurants and reopen them in a couple of months.

Caesars says the move is in the company's "best interest" following the whole N-word scandal.

Paula Deen defiantly, and tearfully, says she doesn't need to change when it comes to using offensive words, but young Black people do -- oh, and Jesse Jackson's got her back.

Deen burst into tears on 'Today' while telling Matt Lauer, "If there's anyone out there that has never said something that they wish they could take back ... please pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me."

She added, "I is what I is and I'm not changing."

When asked if she had any doubt the n-word was offensive to Black people, she claimed she didn't know because ... "it's very distressing for me to go into my kitchens and I hear what these young people are calling each other. It's very, very distressing."

Racial scandals aren't always bad for business ... just ask Paula Deen's brother who says the embattled chef's restaurants have been "slammed" with customers in the wake of the N-word drama.

Bubba Hiers -- who is also named as a defendant in the sexual and racial harassment lawsuit against Paula -- was walking around Savannah today when he was asked how the family was coping.

"We're doing fine," Bubba said ... and when asked if Deen's businesses were continuing to thrive despite all of the bad media, he insisted the companies were "slammed" ... and he meant it in a good way.

FYI -- Lisa Jackson, the woman suing Paula and Bubba, worked as the G.M. for Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House in Savannah, Georgia from 2005 - 2010. Bubba is part owner along with Paula.

Jackson claims Bubba is a racist who dropped the N-word in the workplace and also viewed porn on the kitchen computer.

The Chicago Blackhawks partied hard after their dramatic Stanley Cup victory over the Boston Bruins, and lived by that old adage -- to the victor goes lots and lots of meats!!!

Stanley Cup MVP Patrick Kane and the rest of the team headed straight to the famous Harry Caray's Steakhouse once they arrived back in Chi-town early Tuesday morning -- and our 'hawks sources gave up all the deets on their feast:

- Crab cakes
- Lamb chops
- Mini "holy cow" burgers
- Chicken vesuvio (the house special)

Remember, they were eating all this at ... 4:30 AM!!

No word on how much the celebration meal cost -- but the team picked up the tab. We're told this is the exact same menu the Blackhawks had when they last won the cup in 2010.

If you're wondering what it takes to look like The Rock (aside from ridiculous genetics) the new "Hercules" star just revealed the diet he maintains to play the son of Zeus -- and it's unbelievable.

Rock just posted the breakdown on Twitter -- and it includes 7 full meals with ridiculous quantities of food, including rice, 14 egg whites, all kinds of vegetables, and more than 3 POUNDS of meat.

It's been working too ... Rock's been posting pics of himself during filming (above) and he's more jacked than ever.

Unfortunately, you can't just eat like The Rock to look like him ... you kinda have to go to the gym too.

Maybe tomorrow.

Paula Deen has been DROPPED by Smithfield -- a company specializing in pork products.

Deen had a line of hams with Smithfield ... part of The Paula Deen Collection.

The company tells TMZ, "Smithfield condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind." The statement goes on ... "We are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen."

Smithfield then somewhat sanctimoniously says, "Smithfield is determined to be an ethical food industry leader and it is important that our values and those of our spokespeople are properly aligned."

It's not the first time Paula's taken a hit from Smithfield either -- back in 2009, she took a massive

The chef who won Season 4 of "The Next Food Network Star" is coming out in defense of Paula Deen, saying she's been nothing but a friend to him throughout his career ... even though he's Black.

Chef Aaron McCargo Jr. just released a statement on his Facebook page, writing, "Paula has always been very helpful and supportive throughout my career, and as her friend I'm saddened to see that she is going through a tough time right now."

Aaron asked his fans to give Paula the benefit of the doubt, and added, "We are all human and we should never be too quick to judge anyone."

Miley Cyrus' divorcing parents came together for a peace summit -- and there's a strong sign tensions are easing between them.

Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus took their daughter Noah out for lunch Sunday in North Hollywood -- but the interesting part -- Tish is leaning her head on Billy Ray's shoulder and they are arm-in-arm!!

Don't forget ... 3 years ago Billy Ray filed divorce papers, but eventually ripped 'em up and reunited with Tish.