Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray (born August 25, 1968, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts) held several jobs in the food industry before her signature "30 Minute Meals" classes were picked up by a local television newscast. She went on to host several Food Network shows, author tons of cookbooks, launch her own magazine, and start a nationally syndicated talk show, Rachael Ray, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award.

 

Celebrity chef. Born Rachael Domenica Ray on August 25, 1968 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Raised in Lake George, New York, Ray grew up surrounded by family in the restaurant business. She herself held several jobs in the food industry, including opening Agata & Valentina specialty food market in New York City. It was while working in a gourmet food shop in Schenectady, New York, that Ray developed her signature "30 Minute Meals" classes, which were soon picked up by a local television newscast.

Ray launched a food and lifestyle magazine, Every Day With Rachael Ray, in 2005 and premiered a self-titled television talk show in collaboration with Oprah in 2006. That year, 30 Minute Meals received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Service Show. She has continued to receive kudos for her work. In 2008, Rachael Ray won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment. The syndicated program is expected to run at least through 2010.

In addition to all her books, programs, and products, Ray has devoted some of her time to charity. She has established Yum-O!, a nonprofit organization, to educate young people and their families about the importance of good nutrition and to help feed American children in need.