History of Rachael Ray in Timeline
Rachael Ray is a prominent American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author. She's best known for hosting the syndicated talk and lifestyle program, Rachael Ray, and other successful shows such as 30 Minute Meals and $40 a Day. Her brand revolves around quick and easy recipes, which has led to multiple cookbooks and a magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray. Ray has received three Daytime Emmy Awards for her work in television.
August 25, 1968: Rachael Ray's Birth
On August 25, 1968, Rachael Domenica Ray was born. She became an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author, known for hosting the Rachael Ray talk show.
1995: Move to New York City
In 1995, Rachael Ray moved to New York City, working at Macy's Marketplace candy counter before transitioning to Agata & Valentina, a specialty foods store.
2001: Hosting 30 Minute Meals
In 2001, Rachael Ray began hosting "30 Minute Meals" on the Food Network.
2001: Food Network contract and Today show spot
In 2001, Rachael Ray's cooking classes and food demos led to a weekly segment on WRGB, a public radio broadcast, the publication of her first book, a "Today" show spot, and her first Food Network contract.
2002: Hosting '$40 a Day'
In 2002, Rachael Ray began hosting the TV show "$40 a Day", where she traveled to various destinations and tried to eat three meals for $40 a day.
2003: Posed for FHM
In 2003, Rachael Ray posed for the men's magazine FHM, drawing criticism.
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 magazine
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 concluded her hosting duties for the TV show "$40 a Day" after three seasons and 77 episodes.
2005: Signing deal to host syndicated daytime TV talk show
In 2005, Rachael Ray signed a deal to host a syndicated daytime TV talk show.
September 18, 2006: Premiere of The Rachael Ray Show
On September 18, 2006, "The Rachael Ray Show" premiered.
November 2006: Spokeswoman for Nabisco crackers
In November 2006, Rachael Ray became a spokeswoman for Nabisco crackers, appearing in commercials and on boxes for Nabisco products.
2006: Launch of Yum-O! nonprofit organization
In 2006, Rachael Ray launched the Yum-O! nonprofit organization to empower kids and families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking.
2006: Launch of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine
In 2006, Rachael Ray launched the magazine "Every Day with Rachael Ray".
2006: Every Day with Rachael Ray Publication
In 2006, Rachael Ray's magazine "Every Day with Rachael Ray" featured seven issues.
February 2007: Launch of WestPoint Home line designed by Ray
In February 2007, WestPoint Home launched 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 of its coffee, and as part of a promotional campaign, Ray described the company's coffee as "fantabulous."
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: Increased Issues of Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine
In 2007, Rachael Ray's magazine "Every Day with Rachael Ray" increased publication to 10 issues.
2007: Addition of EVOO to dictionary
In 2007, The Oxford American College Dictionary added the term EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil), which Rachael Ray helped to popularize, and credited her with coining the phrase.
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. The show was a five-part food travelogue shot in various European countries.
July 2008: Introduction of Rachael Ray's Nutrish pet food
In July 2008, Rachael Ray's Nutrish pet food brand was introduced, created from recipes she developed for her pit bull, Isaboo, with all proceeds going to Rachael's Rescue.
2008: Dunkin' Donuts ad pulled due to controversial scarf
In 2008, Dunkin' Donuts pulled an online ad featuring Rachael Ray wearing a black-and-white patterned scarf resembling a keffiyeh, due to concerns it symbolized support for Islamist terrorists.
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.
March 2, 2009: ABC News Nightline interview regarding FHM photos
On March 2, 2009, Rachael Ray defended her decision to pose for FHM in an interview with Cynthia McFadden on ABC News Nightline, stating she would do it again.
June 2009: Ray's comments about 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, as she was ruled ineligible by multiple judges during all other nominations and did not receive any awards.
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.
October 2011: Meredith Corporation acquires magazine
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 became a team captain alongside Guy Fieri in the Food Network reality series "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off".
2012: End of 30 Minute Meals
In 2012, Rachael Ray concluded her hosting duties for "30 Minute Meals" on Food Network after 11 seasons.
December 2016: Launch of Rachael Ray Home Collection by PulteGroup
In December 2016, PulteGroup launched the Rachael Ray Home Collection for their interior design division, featuring furniture of Ray's own design.
2016: Guest star appearance 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.
2019: Revival of 30 Minute Meals
In 2019, Rachael Ray revived the series "30 Minute Meals".
2019: Voice acting in Butterbean's Café
In 2019, Rachael Ray voiced a character on the Nick Jr. Channel program "Butterbean's Café".
August 9, 2020: Fire at Lake Luzerne residence
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: Airing of final episode of The Rachael Ray Show
On May 24, 2023, the final episode of "The Rachael Ray Show" aired after 17 seasons.
2023: Ending of talk show and launch of Free Food Studios
In 2023, Rachael Ray announced that she would be ending her talk show after its 17th season, and that she would launch her new production company, Free Food Studios.
2024: Appearance in The Curse
In 2024, Rachael Ray and her show were featured in the final episode of "The Curse", where she played herself alongside guests Vincent Pastore, Emma Stone, and Nathan Fielder.
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