Former Food Network mainstay Paula Deen might have cooked up a world of trouble for herself, having recently been dropped by the network in light of her racial slur scandal, but fans have some some strong support brewing. Fans of Paula’s work are ralying around Facebook pages like “We Support Paula Deen,” which currently has over 200 000 likes, according to E!Online. Despite Paula’s use of offensive language and the fact that her defense essentially boils down to the “those were different times” story, her supporters claim that the former host of Paula’s Best Dishes and Paula’s Home Cooking has made amends and should not be punished any further.

One fan wrote on the Facebook page: "Recently Food Network personality Paula Deen has issued an apology for statements that she has made in the past. Let's support her as she moves forward from this time. Paula is a person just like all of us and we all make mistakes." Ms Deen herself apparently holds no grudges with the Food Network and even thanked her former employers at the news of the termination.

"I have had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country and meeting people who have shared with me the most touching and personal stories," Deen, 66, said in a statement released to PEOPLE. "This would not have been possible without the Food Network. Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of ya'll." Well, regardless of whether the pleas of American foodies will soften the hearts of Food Network execs, at least Paula managed to make a graceful exit – or as much as possible, under the circumstances.

Paula Deen, 2013 BookExpo
While the fans lamented her leaving,

Paula Deen,
Paula thanked the network.