Rachael Ray facts for kids
Ray in 2007
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| Born | Rachael Domenica Ray August 25, 1968 Glens Falls, New York, U.S. |
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| Spouse |
John Cusimano
(m. 2005) |
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Rachael Domenica Ray (born August 25, 1968) is a well-known American cook, television host, businesswoman, and author. She hosted her own daily talk show, Rachael Ray. She also created popular cooking shows like 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels, and $40 a Day.
Rachael Ray has written many cookbooks based on her quick meal ideas. In 2006, she started her own magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray. Her TV shows have won three Daytime Emmy Awards, which are special awards for television programs.
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Early Life and Family
Rachael Domenica Ray was born in Glens Falls, New York. Her mother, Elsa, and father, James, raised her. Her family moved to Lake George, New York, when she was eight years old.
Rachael's mother managed restaurants, which meant Rachael grew up around food and cooking. Rachael even worked briefly at a local market. She helped promote their cider donuts and grilled raisin bread. She finished high school in Lake George.
Rachael Ray's Career Journey
In 1995, Rachael Ray moved to New York City. She first worked at a candy counter in Macy's department store. Later, she worked at a special food store called Agata & Valentina.
Starting with 30 Minute Meals
Rachael moved back to the Adirondacks. She managed a pub at a hotel called The Sagamore. After that, she became a buyer for a gourmet market in Albany. It was here that she got the idea for her famous 30 Minute Meals.
She noticed that many people didn't like to cook because it took too long. So, she started teaching classes. She showed people how to make tasty meals in less than 30 minutes. This idea became very popular.
From Local TV to Food Network
Because her cooking classes were so successful, a local TV station, WRGB, asked Rachael to appear on their news. She also had a public radio show and published her first cookbook, 30 Minute Meals.
These opportunities led to her appearing on the Today show. In 2001, she signed her first contract with the Food Network. She hosted $40 a Day from 2002 to 2005. On this show, she traveled to different places and tried to eat three meals for only $40 a day.
Rachael's Cooking Style
Rachael Ray is known for her "quick and easy" cooking style. She teaches many simple recipes that she says can be made in 30 minutes or less. She uses fresh herbs, garlic, and chicken stock to add lots of flavor.
Rachael believes that measuring ingredients too strictly takes away from the fun of cooking. She often uses easy approximations like "half a palmful." She has always said, "I'm not a chef," meaning she doesn't have formal training.
Rachael Ray is famous for her fun catchphrases. These include "E-V-O-O" (for extra-virgin olive oil), "yum-o," and "G.B." (for garbage bowl). In 2007, the word EVOO was even added to a dictionary, thanks to her popular use of it! She also created words like "stoup" (a mix of soup and stew).
One of Rachael's favorite foods to cook is hamburgers. She even wrote a whole cookbook about them called The Book of Burger.
Rachael Ray on Television
Rachael hosted 30 Minute Meals on Food Network for many years, from 2001 to 2012. The show returned in 2019.
In 2005, she signed a deal to host her own daytime talk show. The show, Rachael Ray, started on September 18, 2006. It aired until May 24, 2023. The show was filmed in New York City.
In 2008, Rachael's travel show, Rachael's Vacation, premiered. It was a five-part series where she explored different European countries and their food. She also became an executive producer for a Latin cooking show called Viva Daisy!.
Rachael Ray's Week in a Day was another cooking show she hosted in 2010. In 2012, she was a team captain with chef Guy Fieri on Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.
In 2016, Rachael appeared as herself in an episode of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. In 2019, she voiced a character on the Nick Jr. Channel show Butterbean's Café, which was a long-time goal for her.
In 2023, Rachael announced that her talk show would end after 17 seasons. She then launched her new production company, Free Food Studios. In 2024, she appeared as herself in the final episode of the show The Curse.
Rachael Ray's Magazines and Products
The Reader's Digest Association launched Rachael's magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, in 2005. The magazine became very popular.
Rachael Ray has also endorsed many products. In 2006, she became a spokesperson for Nabisco crackers. She appeared in commercials and on cracker boxes, sharing her recipes.
In 2007, she designed sheets, blankets, and other home items for WestPoint Home. She also became an endorser for Dunkin' Donuts coffee. She described their coffee as "fantabulous."
In 2008, Rachael Ray launched her own pet food brand called Nutrish. She created the recipes for her pit bull dog, Isaboo. All the money from these products goes to Rachael's Rescue, a charity that helps animals in need. In 2016, she also started a furniture collection called Rachael Ray Home Collection.
Personal Life
Rachael Ray married John M. Cusimano on September 24, 2005, in Italy.
In August 2020, Rachael's main home in Lake Luzerne, New York, was destroyed in a fire. Luckily, Rachael and her family were safe and not hurt. She also has an apartment in New York City.
Charitable Work
In 2006, Rachael Ray started a non-profit organization called Yum-O! Its goal is to help kids and their families learn to have a healthy relationship with food and cooking. They do this by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry children, and supporting cooking education.
After the conflict in Ukraine, Rachael worked with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. She helped support a charity called the Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv, Ukraine. This charity focuses on food and children's programs.
Awards and Honors
Rachael Ray has received many awards for her work in television and beyond.
Emmy Awards
Rachael Ray's television shows have been nominated for and won several Daytime Emmy Awards.
| Year | Award Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Service Show | 30 Minute Meals | Nominated |
| 2006 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Service Host | 30 Minute Meals | Nominated |
| 2007 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Show Host | Rachael Ray | Nominated |
| 2008 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Show | Rachael Ray | Nominated |
| 2009 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Show | Rachael Ray | Won |
| 2009 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Service Host | 30 Minute Meals | Nominated |
| 2010 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Host | Rachael Ray | Nominated |
| 2011 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Host | Rachael Ray | Nominated |
| 2012 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Host | Rachael Ray | Nominated |
| 2013 | Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Host | Rachael Ray | Nominated |
Other Recognitions
- 2006: Named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people.
- 2009: Forbes magazine estimated she earned about $15 million and named her one of the most powerful celebrities.
- 2010: She was the first person honored on the Ride of Fame.
- 2011: Won the People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Cook.
See also
In Spanish: Rachael Ray para niños
