Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray (born August 25, 1968 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts) is the host of the Food Network television programs 30 Minute Meals, $40 a Day, Inside Dish, and Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels. She has also authored a series of cookbooks based on the 30 Minute Meals concept. Ray's late Sicilian maternal grandfather served as a strong influence on her cooking style.

Related Topics:
August 25 - 1968 - Food Network - 30 Minute Meals - $40 a Day - Inside Dish - Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels

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She helped open Agata & Valentina, a New York City marketplace, and worked at Cowan & Lobel in Albany. When her 30-minute-meal classes were a huge success, she was asked to continue them on the news. Her shows for Food Network continue to air and she has published several cookbooks.

Related Topics:
New York City - Albany

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Ray is known for designing simple, healthful recipes that can be prepared in thirty minutes or less. She has an admitted aversion to measuring, and prefers approximations like "half a palmful" to stricter, traditional measurements. She also dislikes baking desserts and is notorious for burning bread under the broiler. Through her television appearances, Ray has popularized phrases like "EVOO" (extra-virgin olive oil), "Yumm-o," and "Insanely good!" In addition, her use of the santoku chef's knife on the show caused sales of the tool to skyrocket, a phenomenon that demonstrates her influence with consumers.

Related Topics:
Olive oil - Santoku

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Ray's most recent business endeavor is the launching of her own magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, in coordination with Reader's Digest. The magazine will premiere in late 2005 and work its publication rate up to ten issues per year by 2006.

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Ray is recognizable for her wide smile and expressive hand gestures. FHM featured a pictorial of her in the October 2003 issue. She was later voted #92 on FHM-US's 100 Sexiest Women of 2004.

Related Topics:
FHM - FHM-US's 100 Sexiest Women of 2004

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Ray lives in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Her beloved dog, Boo, passed away early in 2005. Ray married John Cusimano, a lawyer and member of the band The Cringe, on September 24, 2005 in Montalcino, Italy.

Related Topics:
Adirondacks - New York - The Cringe

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In addition to her television hosting duties, Ray has endorsed products for Price Chopper and Burger King.

Related Topics:
Price Chopper - Burger King

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Ray, as very recently reported on Entertainment Tonight, has just signed a deal with Oprah Winfrey to host her own daytime talk show in 2006. The show will film in New York City, and she will still appear regularly on the Food Network.

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