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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Television show(s)
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Rachael Domenica Ray (born August 25, 1968) is a famous American cook, TV star, businesswoman, and author. She hosted her own daily talk show called Rachael Ray. She is also known for shows like 30 Minute Meals, where she teaches how to cook fast, and Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels.
Rachael has written many cookbooks based on her "30 Minute Meals" idea. In 2006, she started her own magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray. Her TV shows have won three Daytime Emmy Awards. In 2016, she even appeared as herself in the Netflix show Gilmore Girls.
Contents
Rachael Ray's Early Life and Career Beginnings
Growing Up
Rachael Domenica Ray was born in Glens Falls, New York. Her mother, Elsa, had Sicilian family, and her father, James, had French, Scottish, and Welsh roots.
When Rachael was eight, her family moved to Lake George, New York. Her mother managed restaurants in the Capital District area of New York. One of these was the Lake George Howard Johnson's restaurant. Rachael even worked briefly at a place called Sutton's Marketplace. She promoted their cider donuts and grilled raisin bread. She finished high school at Lake George Junior/Senior High School.
In 1995, Rachael moved to New York City. She first worked at a candy counter at Macy's. Later, she moved to Agata & Valentina, a special food store.
How "30 Minute Meals" Started (1996–2004)
Rachael moved back to The Adirondacks. She managed a pub at The Sagamore hotel on Lake George. After that, she became a buyer for a gourmet market in Albany.
Rachael says her idea for 30 Minute Meals came from working at this market. She met people who didn't like to cook. So, she started teaching classes to show them how to make meals in less than 30 minutes.
Her "30 Minute Meals" classes became very popular. A local TV station, WRGB, asked her to appear on their news. This led to a spot on the Today show. In 2001, she got her first contract with the Food Network.
Rachael Ray also hosted a TV show called $40 a Day. For three seasons (2002-2005), she traveled to different places. On the show, she tried to eat three meals for only $40 a day.
Rachael's Cooking Style (2004–2017)
Rachael Ray likes a "quick and easy" cooking style. She teaches many simple recipes that she says can be done in 30 minutes or less. Some people say her time doesn't include preparing ingredients.
Rachael says her Sicilian grandfather and her Cajun family history influence her cooking. She uses fresh herbs, garlic, and chicken stock to make food taste better. She believes measuring "takes away from the creative process." Instead, she uses ideas like "half a palmful."
Rachael often says, "I'm not a chef." She means she doesn't have formal training. She just loves to cook and share easy recipes.
On her TV shows, she uses fun words. Some are "E-V-O-O" (extra-virgin olive oil), "yum-o", and "G.B." (garbage bowl). She also uses "delish" and "stoup" (a mix of soup and stew). In 2007, the dictionary added "EVOO" because she made it so popular.
One of Rachael's favorite foods to cook is burgers. She even wrote a whole cookbook about them called The Book of Burger.
Other Projects and Shows
Television Shows
Rachael hosted 30 Minute Meals on Food Network for 11 seasons, from 2001 to 2012. The show came back in 2019.
In 2005, she signed a deal for her own daytime talk show. The show, Rachael Ray, started on September 18, 2006. It aired until May 24, 2023. The show was launched with help from her many appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Rachael said, "People know me for my love of food, but I have so much more I want to share."
In 2008, Rachael's travel show Rachael's Vacation began on the Food Network. It was a five-part series about food and travel in Europe.
Rachael also became an executive producer for a Latin cooking show called Viva Daisy! in 2008. In 2010, she hosted Rachael Ray's Week in a Day.
In January 2012, Rachael and Guy Fieri were team captains. They led teams in the Food Network series Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.
In 2016, Rachael appeared as herself in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. This was a new series of the popular show Gilmore Girls. In 2019, she voiced a character on the Nick Jr. Channel show Butterbean's Café. This was a goal she had for a long time.
In 2023, Rachael announced that her talk show would end after 17 seasons. She plans to start a new company called "Free Food Studios."
Magazines
The Reader's Digest Association launched Rachael's magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, in October 2005. The magazine had seven issues in 2006 and increased to 10 issues in 2007. In 2011, another company, Meredith Corporation, bought the magazine.
Product Partnerships
In November 2006, Rachael became a spokesperson for Nabisco crackers. She appeared in commercials and on cracker boxes. Many boxes with her picture also had her recipes.
In February 2007, WestPoint Home launched sheets and blankets designed by Rachael. They later added the "Moppine." This is a dish towel and oven mitt in one, which Rachael often uses.
In March 2007, Dunkin' Donuts announced Rachael as their celebrity endorser for coffee. She described their coffee as "fantabulous."
In May 2007, Rachael's recipes became available on AT&T cell phones. This feature was called "Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run."
In July 2008, Rachael Ray's "Nutrish" pet food was launched. She created the dog food recipes for her own pit bull, Isaboo. All money from these products goes to Rachael's Rescue. This charity helps animals in need.
In December 2016, PulteGroup started the Rachael Ray Home Collection. This division sells furniture designed by Rachael herself.
Rachael's Personal Life
On September 24, 2005, Rachael Ray married John M. Cusimano in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Rachael's main home is in Lake Luzerne, New York. She also has an apartment in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, near her studio.
Helping Others
In 2006, Rachael launched a nonprofit organization called Yum-O! Its goal is to help kids and families learn about healthy food and cooking. They do this by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry kids, and supporting cooking education.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Rachael worked with the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. She supported a charity in Ukraine, the Unbroken National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv. This charity helps with food and programs for children.
Awards and Honors
Emmy Awards
Rachael Ray's show Rachael Ray won a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Outstanding Talk Show in 2009.
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Outstanding Service Show | 30 Minute Meals | Nominated |
| 2006 | Outstanding Service Host | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Outstanding Talk Show Host | Rachael Ray | Nominated |
| 2008 | Outstanding Talk Show | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Won | ||
| 2010 | Outstanding Talk Host | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Rachael Ray | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Nominated |
Other Honors
- 2006: Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people.
- 2009: Forbes magazine said she earned about $15 million. They also named her the 79th most powerful celebrity.
- 2010: Rachael was the first person honored on the Ride of Fame.
- 2011: She won the People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Cook.
See also
In Spanish: Rachael Ray para niños
