1968–

Who Is Rachael Ray?

Rachael Ray 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, which has been nominated for multiple Daytime Emmy Awards since its premiere and has won several trophies.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Rachael Domenica Ray
BORN: August 25, 1968
BIRTH CITY: Glen Falls, New York
SPOUSE: John Cusimano (2005–)
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Virgo

Early Life and Career

Rachael Domenica Ray was born on August 25, 1968, in Glen Falls, New York, and raised in Lake George, New York, 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.

Cooking Empire

The cooking segments eventually led to Ray’s first book deal and a contract with Food Network. Vivacious and oftentimes goofy, Ray’s shtick is simple recipes involving shortcuts that anyone can do at home. 30 Minute Meals was so popular that Food Network debuted three other programs starring the bubbly cook: $40 a Day, Inside Dish, and Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels. She has also authored numerous cookbooks around the quick cook theme.

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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 Winfrey 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 and 2009, Rachael Ray won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Entertainment. The show has garnered multiple nominations to date.

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.

Personal Life

Ray married lawyer John Cusimano on September 24, 2005, in Italy. They have homes in Lake Luzerne, New York, and Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. In August 2020, their upstate New York home burned to the ground after a chimney fire.

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