Rachael Ray
Rachael Domenica Ray was born August 25, 1968, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. For those unfamiliar with Ray, she is the Emmy winning chef known for her giggly personality and simple, quick recipes.
Ray’s mother was Italian-American while her father was French-American. Seemingly destined to enter the food industry, her parents owned a restaurant in Massachusetts. Therefore, it was not surprising when Ray announced her first job at the Macy’s candy counter. From there, she played an integral part in establishing Agata and Valentina, a gourmet market founded in New York City. Continuing to make leaps and bounds in her career, Ray went on to become a buyer and chef at Cowan and Lobel market.
It was here she first started teaching her patented thirty minute meals. The classes caught the attention of the television station WRGB who commissioned her services. Along with a public radio spot and the first of many books, Ray landed a spot on The Today Show. The segment was such a success it garnered her a contract with the Food Network. Ray also became a spokesperson for the grocery chain Price Choppe,r and even briefly endorsed Burger King. In addition to 30 Minute Meals, Ray also hosts the Food Network Shows $40 a Day, Inside Dish, and Tasty Travels.
Ray’s cooking style is characterized by quick recipes and the use of simple flavor-boosting ingredients such as garlic and chicken broth.
Proving to be the queen of multi-media, Ray launched her magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray in October of 2005. She even developed and marketed her own line of cookware. Inciting some backlash, Ray posed for FHM, sporting short shorts and provocatively licking chocolate off a wooden spoon. Whatever Ray’s intentions, the move certainly garnered her attention. In 2004, she was named #92 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women. In 2006, her position rose to #71. In this same year, she also earned a slightly more prestigious position on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list.
By 2005, Ray and Oprah Winfrey signed a deal establishing Ray’s new talk show, Rachael Ray. Ray promoted herself tirelessly, appearing on shows such as The View, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O Brien, and Larry King Live.
Her most recent endeavor was the latest season of Dancing with the Stars, though she only appeared for two episodes. Other celebrities included Lisa Rinna, Drew Lachey, Jerry Rice, Joey Lawrence, George Hamilton, Vivica A Fox, Tatum O’Neal, Eva Longoria, and Jerry Springer.
Ray married John Cusimano, a lawyer and member of the musical band The Cringe, on September 24, 2005. They are currently still together and have no children. YUDDY |
