History of Rachael Ray in Timeline

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Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray is an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author, best known for hosting the daily talk and lifestyle program Rachael Ray. She has also hosted other popular shows such as 30 Minute Meals and $40 a Day. Ray has authored several cookbooks centered on quick meal preparation and launched the magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray. Her work in television has earned her three Daytime Emmy Awards.


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August 25, 1968: Rachael Ray's Birth

On August 25, 1968, Rachael Domenica Ray was born. She is an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author.

1995: Moved to New York City

In 1995, Rachael Ray moved to New York City and began working at Macy's Marketplace candy counter before transitioning to Agata & Valentina, a specialty foods store.

2001: Hosted 30 Minute Meals

In 2001, Rachael Ray began hosting 30 Minute Meals on Food Network.

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2001: First Food Network contract

In 2001, Rachael Ray signed her first Food Network contract after gaining recognition through cooking classes, a cookbook titled "30 Minute Meals", local TV appearances on WRGB, and a spot on the Today show.

30-Minute Meals
30-Minute Meals

2002: Host of $40 a Day

In 2002, Rachael Ray began hosting the TV show $40 a Day.

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2003: Posed for FHM Magazine

In 2003, Rachael Ray posed for the men's magazine FHM, drawing criticism despite not being nude in any of the photos.

September 24, 2005: Marriage to John M. Cusimano

On September 24, 2005, Rachael Ray married John M. Cusimano in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy.

October 25, 2005: Launch of Every Day with Rachael Ray

On October 25, 2005, The Reader's Digest Association launched Rachael Ray's magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray.

2005: End of $40 a Day

In 2005, Rachael Ray finished her three-season run as host of the TV show $40 a Day.

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2005: Signed deal for daytime TV talk show

In 2005, Rachael Ray signed a deal to host a syndicated daytime TV talk show.

September 18, 2006: Premiere of Rachael Ray

On September 18, 2006, Rachael Ray's syndicated daytime TV talk show, Rachael Ray, premiered.

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November 2006: Spokeswoman for Nabisco

In November 2006, Rachael Ray became a spokeswoman for Nabisco crackers, appearing in commercials and on boxes for Nabisco products.

2006: Launch of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine

In 2006, Rachael Ray launched her magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray.

2006: Launched Yum-O! Organization

In 2006, Rachael Ray launched the Yum-O! nonprofit organization, which aims to empower kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking.

2006: Seven Issues of Every Day with Rachael Ray

In 2006, seven issues of Rachael Ray's magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray were released.

February 2007: Launch of WestPoint Home Line

In February 2007, WestPoint Home launched a line of sheets, blankets, and coverlets designed by Rachael Ray.

March 2007: Celebrity Endorser for Dunkin' Donuts

In March 2007, Dunkin' Donuts announced Rachael Ray as a celebrity endorser, mainly for its coffee.

May 2007: Recipes on AT&T Cellular Phones

In May 2007, Rachael Ray's recipes were made available on AT&T cellular phones via the Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run feature.

2007: EVOO Added to Dictionary

In 2007, The Oxford American College Dictionary added the term EVOO (short for extra-virgin olive oil) to its dictionary, crediting Rachael Ray with coining the phrase.

2007: Ten Issues of Every Day with Rachael Ray

In 2007, the magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray increased its publication to 10 issues.

January 12, 2008: Premiere of Rachael's Vacation

On January 12, 2008, Rachael Ray's television series Rachael's Vacation premiered on the Food Network. It was a five-part food travelogue shot in various European countries.

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July 2008: Introduction of Nutrish Pet Food Brand

In July 2008, Rachael Ray's Nutrish pet food brand was introduced, with proceeds benefiting Rachael's Rescue.

2008: Executive Producer of Viva Daisy!

In 2008, Rachael Ray became a television executive producer of Viva Daisy!, a Latin cooking show on the Food Network, starring Daisy Martínez.

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March 2, 2009: Response to FHM Controversy

On March 2, 2009, Rachael Ray defended her decision to pose for FHM in an ABC News Nightline interview, stating she would do it again.

June 2009: Ray's Statement on Motherhood

In June 2009, Rachael Ray stated that "hard work was too much for her to be a [mother]".

2009: Daytime Emmy Award Win

In 2009, Rachael Ray received her sole Daytime Emmy Award win.

2010: Rachael Ray's Week in a Day

In 2010, Rachael Ray's Week in a Day, a reality television cooking series hosted by Rachael Ray, was released.

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October 2011: Meredith Corporation Acquired Every Day with Rachael Ray

In October 2011, Meredith Corporation acquired the magazine Every Day with Rachael Ray.

January 2012: Team Captain in Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off

In January 2012, Rachael Ray was a team captain alongside Guy Fieri in the Food Network reality series Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.

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2012: End of 30 Minute Meals

In 2012, Rachael Ray finished hosting 30 Minute Meals on Food Network after 11 seasons.

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December 2016: Rachael Ray Home Collection

In December 2016, PulteGroup started Rachael Ray Home Collection for their interior design division, featuring furniture designed by Ray.

2016: Guest Starred on Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life

In 2016, Rachael Ray guest-starred in the second episode of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, a miniseries revival of Gilmore Girls, as a fictionalized version of herself.

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2019: Revival of 30 Minute Meals

In 2019, Rachael Ray revived the series 30 Minute Meals.

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2019: Voiced a Character on Butterbean's Café

In 2019, Rachael Ray voiced a character on the Nick Jr. Channel program Butterbean's Café, fulfilling a long-time goal of voicing a cartoon character.

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August 9, 2020: Lake Luzerne Home Destroyed in Fire

On August 9, 2020, Rachael Ray's main residence in Lake Luzerne, New York, was destroyed in a fire. Ray and her family were confirmed to be safe and uninjured.

May 24, 2023: Final episode of Rachael Ray

On May 24, 2023, the final episode of the "Rachael Ray" show aired, marking the end of its 17th season.

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2023: Ending Talk Show and Launching Free Food Studios

In 2023, Rachael Ray announced that she would be ending her talk show after its 17th season and launching her new production company, Free Food Studios.

2024: Featured in The Curse

In 2024, Rachael Ray and her show were featured in the final episode of The Curse. She played herself on the show, with her guests being Vincent Pastore and Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder as their fictional characters.

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