History of Rachael Ray in Timeline
Rachael Ray is a renowned American chef, TV personality, entrepreneur, and author. She is best known for her syndicated talk show "Rachael Ray" and her cooking show "30 Minute Meals." Her culinary empire extends to other successful TV programs, cookbooks based on her quick and easy recipes, and her magazine, "Every Day with Rachael Ray." Ray's contributions to television have earned her three Daytime Emmy Awards.
August 25, 1968: Birth of Rachael Ray
Rachael Domenica Ray was born on August 25, 1968.
1995: Move to New York City and Early Career
In 1995, Ray moved to New York City, working at Macy's Marketplace and later at Agata & Valentina.
2001: Premiere of 30 Minute Meals
Rachael Ray's show "30 Minute Meals" premiered on the Food Network in 2001.
2001: Breakthrough in Food Television
Ray's "30 Minute Meals" classes, local TV appearances, and first book led to a Today show spot and her first Food Network contract in 2001.
2002: Premiere of $40 a Day
Rachael Ray began hosting the TV show $40 a Day in 2002, where she traveled and ate on a budget.
2003: Rachael Ray's FHM Photoshoot
Rachael Ray posed for the men's magazine FHM in 2003, which later drew criticism.
September 24, 2005: Marriage to John M. Cusimano
Rachael Ray married John M. Cusimano on September 24, 2005, in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy.
October 25, 2005: Launch of Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine
Reader's Digest Association launched Rachael Ray's magazine, "Every Day with Rachael Ray," on October 25, 2005.
2005: Deal for Syndicated Talk Show
Rachael Ray signed a deal to host a syndicated daytime talk show in 2005.
2005: End of $40 a Day
In 2005, after three seasons and 77 episodes, Rachael Ray's show "$40 a Day" came to an end.
September 18, 2006: Premiere of The Rachael Ray Show
Rachael Ray's daytime talk show, "Rachael Ray," premiered on September 18, 2006.
November 2006: Rachael Ray Becomes Nabisco Spokesperson
Rachael Ray became a spokeswoman for Nabisco crackers in November 2006, appearing in commercials and on product boxes.
2006: Every Day with Rachael Ray - First Year
Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine published seven issues in its first year, 2006.
2006: Launch of Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine
On 2006, Ray launched her magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray
2006: Launch of Yum-O! Nonprofit Organization
Rachael Ray founded the Yum-O! nonprofit organization in 2006 to promote healthy eating habits for children and families.
February 2007: Launch of Rachael Ray Home Collection with WestPoint Home
WestPoint Home launched a line of bed and bath products designed by Rachael Ray in February 2007.
March 2007: Rachael Ray Becomes Dunkin' Donuts Endorser
Dunkin' Donuts announced Rachael Ray as its celebrity endorser, primarily for its coffee, in March 2007.
May 2007: Rachael Ray Recipes on AT&T Mobile
Rachael Ray's recipes became available on AT&T cellular phones through the "Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run" feature in May 2007.
2007: Every Day with Rachael Ray Increases Publication Frequency
In 2007, Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine increased its publication frequency to 10 issues per year.
2007: E-V-O-O in the Dictionary
In 2007, The Oxford American College Dictionary added "EVOO", popularized by Rachael Ray, attributing the phrase to her.
January 12, 2008: Premiere of Rachael's Vacation
Rachael Ray's food travelogue series, "Rachael's Vacation," premiered on the Food Network on January 12, 2008.
July 2008: Launch of Nutrish Pet Food
Rachael Ray introduced her "Nutrish" pet food line in July 2008, with proceeds benefiting animal charities.
2008: Executive Producer of Viva Daisy!
Rachael Ray became the executive producer of the Latin cooking show "Viva Daisy!" on the Food Network in 2008.
March 2, 2009: Interview on ABC News Nightline
Rachael Ray defended her decision to pose for FHM magazine in a 2009 interview on ABC News Nightline.
June 2009: Statement on Motherhood
In June 2009, Rachael Ray stated that "hard work was too much for her to be a [mother]."
2009: Rachael Ray's Sole Daytime Emmy Win
In 2009, Rachael Ray experienced both victory and setback at the Daytime Emmy Awards. While she secured a win in one category, she faced ineligibility rulings from multiple judges for all her other nominations, resulting in no further awards for that year.
2010: Premiere of Rachael Ray's Week in a Day
Rachael Ray's reality television cooking series, "Rachael Ray's Week in a Day," premiered in 2010.
October 2011: Meredith Corporation Acquires Every Day with Rachael Ray
Meredith Corporation acquired Rachael Ray's magazine, "Every Day with Rachael Ray," in October 2011.
January 2012: Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off Premiere
Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri became team captains for the Food Network's "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off" in January 2012.
2012: End of 30 Minute Meals (Original Run)
After 11 seasons, Rachael Ray's "30 Minute Meals" concluded its original run on Food Network in 2012.
December 2016: Rachael Ray Home Collection with PulteGroup
PulteGroup launched the Rachael Ray Home Collection for their interior design division in December 2016, featuring furniture designed by Ray.
2016: Guest Appearance on Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Rachael Ray made a guest appearance as herself in the "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" miniseries in 2016.
2019: Voice Acting Debut in Butterbean's Café
Rachael Ray voiced a character on the Nick Jr. show "Butterbean's Café" in 2019, fulfilling a long-time goal.
2019: Revival of 30 Minute Meals
Rachael Ray's "30 Minute Meals" was revived in 2019 on Food Network.
August 9, 2020: Lake Luzerne Home Fire
Rachael Ray's home in Lake Luzerne, New York, was destroyed in a fire on August 9, 2020. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
May 24, 2023: End of The Rachael Ray Show
Rachael Ray's talk show, "Rachael Ray," concluded on May 24, 2023, after 17 seasons.
2023: End of Talk Show and Launch of Free Food Studios
Rachael Ray announced the end of her talk show after 17 seasons and the launch of her production company, "Free Food Studios," in 2023.
2024: Featured Appearance on The Curse
Rachael Ray and her show were featured in the final episode of "The Curse" in 2024, where she appeared as herself.