Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray, Red Dress Collection 2007

Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray (born August 25, 1968) is an American television personality, businesswoman, celebrity cook, and author. She is best known for her cooking shows, including 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray, and $40 a Day. Ray has also written several cookbooks based on the 30 Minute Meals concept and launched a magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, in 2006.

Early Life

Rachael Domenica Ray was born in Glens Falls, New York, and grew up in Lake George, New York. Her family owned several restaurants, which influenced her interest in cooking from a young age. Ray's mother managed restaurants in upstate New York, including the Lake George Howard Johnson's, which was the largest volume restaurant in the chain at the time.

Career

Early Career

Ray moved to New York City in 1995, where she worked at the candy counter at Macy's. She later managed the fresh foods department at Macy's and then moved on to become a buyer at Agata & Valentina, a specialty foods store.

30 Minute Meals

Ray's concept of "30 Minute Meals" was developed while she was teaching a cooking class at a gourmet market in Albany, New York. The class was designed to help people prepare meals in 30 minutes or less. This concept caught the attention of a local television station, which led to a weekly segment on the evening news. The success of these segments led to the publication of her first book and eventually to her first television series, 30 Minute Meals, on the Food Network.

Television Shows

In addition to 30 Minute Meals, Ray has hosted several other television shows, including Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels, Rachael Ray's Week in a Day, and Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. In 2006, she launched her daytime talk show, Rachael Ray, which features a mix of cooking segments, celebrity interviews, and lifestyle tips.

Publications

Ray has authored numerous cookbooks, many of which are based on the 30 Minute Meals concept. Some of her notable books include 30-Minute Meals, Rachael Ray's Book of 10, and Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats. In 2006, she launched her lifestyle magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, which covers a variety of topics including food, travel, and home decor.

Personal Life

Ray married John Cusimano, a lawyer and lead singer of the rock band The Cringe, in 2005. The couple resides in Lake Luzerne, New York, and also owns a home in Manhattan.

Philanthropy

Ray is involved in several charitable endeavors. She launched the Yum-O! organization in 2006, which aims to empower kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. The organization focuses on three main areas: cooking education, feeding hungry children, and funding cooking scholarships.

Awards and Recognition

Ray has received several awards throughout her career, including three Daytime Emmy Awards for her television shows. She has also been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2006.

Related Pages

• 30 Minute Meals
• Food Network
• Rachael Ray (talk show)
• Every Day with Rachael Ray
• Yum-O!