| Ray is practically everywhere. Currently she hosts the | | | | their newscasts. This, along with a public radio |
| a syndicated talk/lifestyle show and two cooking | | | | appearance and the publication of her first book, led to |
| shows on Food Network, "30 Minute Meals" and | | | | a Today show spot and her first Food Network |
| "Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels." She is also editor of | | | | contract in 2001. |
| the food magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray. | | | | By 2005, when Ray signed a deal with Oprah Winfrey |
| Rachael Ray grew up in Lake George, New York. Her | | | | to host her own syndicated daytime TV talk show, her |
| family owned a restaurant on Cape Cod, | | | | popularity was at its pinnacle. She became so popular |
| Massachusetts. She got her start in the food business | | | | that she is credited with coining the catch phrases |
| with various jobs including candy counter clerk, pub | | | | "EVOO" (extra-virgin olive oil), "yum-o" and "stoup" |
| manager and gourmet food buyer. | | | | (cross between a soup and stew) among others. |
| As part of her job as a gourmet food buyer, she | | | | Also in 2005, Ray signed onto launch a food magazine |
| began teaching a cooking class for people who were | | | | with Reader's Digest Association, publisher of Reader's |
| reluctant to cook. It was during this time that she came | | | | Digest, Country Woman and Birds & Blooms |
| up with the concept of 30 minute meals. | | | | magazine. The result was the magazine Every Day |
| Ray's simple recipes concept is that they can be | | | | with Rachael Ray. While Every Day with Rachael Ray |
| prepared in 30 minutes or less; while this concept has | | | | magazine entered a crowded magazine market, which |
| become very popular, she is not without critics. She is | | | | included Martha Stewart Living, Cooking Light, Food |
| a fan and practitioner of shortcuts like using | | | | and Wine magazine and many others, the magazine |
| store-bought dough and chicken stock. Ray has told | | | | proved to be successful. |
| The New York Times and other media that her Sicilian | | | | In 2009, according to Forbes magazine, Ray earned |
| and Cajun ancestry are strong influences on her | | | | approximately $15 million in the year ending June 2009, |
| cooking. She has also noted a disdain for measuring | | | | from her television shows, magazine, numerous |
| and instead approximates ingredient amounts. | | | | product endorsement deals and Rachael Ray-branded |
| Her classes were successful and the local CBS TV | | | | products like cookware, olive oil, food and linens. |
| affiliate asked her to appear in a weekly segment on | | | | |