Q & A with Celebrity Chef Rachel Ray

December 8, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Celebrity Chefs, Tid Bits & News at 9:10 am | (23) Comments »

USA Today writer Laura Petrecca recently sat down with celebrity chef Rachel Ray & picked the 38-year-old chef’s brain. Here’s what we found out:

USA: With your syndicated talk show tapings, the Every Day With Rachael Ray monthly magazine and the upcoming book tour for your new cookbook, you have a lot on your plate. Is this your most hectic holiday season?

Rachel Ray: I always have a busy holiday season. I go for a book tour for most of December, and I’m in a different city every day. I put up the tree during Thanksgiving, and I do some shopping while I’m traveling. But I don’t have an enormous amount of time to shop; I sign about 2,000 books a day.

USA: When you’re not on the road, what’s your daily routine like?

Rachel Ray: I don’t have a typical day anymore. Taping the (daily talk) show is different from (Food Network’s) 30 Minute Meals. And if I’m writing for my magazine, then I spend all day at the computer with my dog at my feet. I work a long day because it feels good to me, and I do that no matter what my job is. I worked just as hard as a waitress and bartending.

USA: You’ve lent your name to lines of cookware, knives, furniture and olive oil. What’s next?

Rachel Ray: We’ve expanded the pots and pans line and worked on some utensils, but just a few. I don’t like a lot of junk in your drawer. We’re working on sheets and textiles also, with a country version and city version — because I live part time in the country and part time in the city. I’m very specific about what I want to put my name on and how I want it to look. I draw on a cocktail napkin or scrap paper and say things like, “How about an oval pot?”

USA: Now you’re thinking about opening a restaurant. What’s the concept and timing behind that?

Rachel Ray: I’m working on a healthy fast-food place (with an attached) nice kind of burger/supper club. The burgers could be made of anything — from swordfish or salmon to tuna or chicken. Ground anything. It could open late next year. Opening a restaurant can be difficult. You have to be very careful with who is watching the store because I have nine other jobs. We have a long way to go.

USA: You recently married. What’s your advice on fitting in both family and work time?

Rachel Ray: When you’re trying to balance everything, you just have to be flexible. So you can’t have dinner until around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. If that’s what it is, that’s what it is. You can’t have it all without sacrificing quite a bit. You can’t be too rigid with things like what time you’ll have dinner or when you’ll take vacation.

Whew! And I thought I was a busy woman! Make sure to stay tuned for an upcoming Rachel Ray recipe!

Eat well & Laugh often!

Do you like this article? Submit it to Blogosphere News!

Related Posts

23 Comments »

Rachel Ray Beef Wellignton Recipe - bFeedMe Said,

December 8, 2006 @ 1:12 pm

[...] Now that we have the scoop on celebrity chef Rachel Ray, let’s grab a scoop of one of her famous recipes. Let’s take a taste of her wonderful Beef Wellington recipe. Enjoy! [...]
Rachel Ray’s ‘EVOO’ to be Added to Dictionary - bFeedMe Said,

December 11, 2006 @ 8:59 am

[...] Well, it looks like celebrity chef Rachel Ray is not only changing the way we eat, but also the way we talk. Ray’s expression for extra virgin olive oil, “EVOO”, is being added to the Oxford American College Dictionary. [...]
TERI WHITBECK Said,

March 12, 2007 @ 1:23 am

WHERE CAN I BUY RACHELS POTS AND PANS SETS ?????I OWN THE KNIFE SET AND LOVE IT SO NOW I NEED OR RATHER WANT THE COOKWARE, TOO. THANKS
Allison Said,

March 12, 2007 @ 9:03 am

Dear Teri,

I found Rachel Ray’s cookwear at Amazon for you. Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=rachel%20ray%20pans&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_28723016_2&results-process=default?tag2=amd-google-20.
Laurie Greene Said,

March 18, 2007 @ 9:02 am

Hi Rachel. I think you’re great. My mom (passed 1991) bought some kind of great pots and pans in 1976. I have the little bit that’s left, and of course the name on the bottom has disappeared. Whatever you burn in it (and I have) comes right out and leaves no mark. They are some kind of metal. I am on SSDBL for 2 years from bacterial meninigitis which put me in a coma, so money is tight. Please don’t mention my name on TV because
my husband was arrested 2X for domestuic violence on me
so I had an order issued on Halloween 2 1/2 yrs ago., and he no longer lives here but he’s 15 miles away. By the way I live in Norton Hill, Greenville and Durham. I’m sure you know after being born up here how on address can have lots of names.

Thank you and your staff for taking the time to read this. By the way, I know my life story sounds crazy, but I have all of the hospital,doctor, and court documents to prove it.

Best health to you and hubby and your staff.

Thanks forcheering me up on your show.
Laurie Champeaux Said,

March 30, 2007 @ 11:33 pm

Dear Rachael
I subscribe to your Magazine and have only recieved 2 issuse and I think I have missed 2 issues. Who do I speak to or write to on this matter? By the way I LOVE your magazine and your 30 minute meals.
Jack Gralla Said,

March 31, 2007 @ 10:25 am

Dear Rachel;
I have been watching your $40 A Day show for some time now and love it. I think the next time you get to do anything on Long Island you might want to stop in at Vincent’s Clam Bar in Carle Place across form Roosevelt Field Mall. The food is great it’s priced just right.

Thank You

Jack Gralla (a gret fan of your’s)
Allison Said,

April 2, 2007 @ 7:57 am

Dear Laurie,

The best thing to do about your magazine subscription, is contact the company you ordered it from. Hope that helps

Allison
Kat Bogan Said,

April 8, 2007 @ 1:15 pm

Hi, Rachel I love your show. I would love to start cooking classes in my home with your 30 min. meals books as my guide. Have you given any thought to certifying teachers or franchises as such? Really need your help and would love your input. I already have a small homebased baking business. Thanks, Kat
Julian Said,

April 16, 2007 @ 2:48 pm

Rachel
You had a lady on your show today looking for a
good man. Iam a good man I work two jobs and Iam looking
for a good woman. Iam a kind man, Some things I like is
horse back ridding and going to the movies. I have six horses of my own, well I’ve gotta run.

sign Julian I hope to hear from you soon.
Jeff Jordan Said,

April 19, 2007 @ 7:35 pm

Hi Rachel,

First I Love your shows…both of them. I have learned so much about 30 minute meals and my family and friends all love my cooking…AKA…your cooking. Food Network is on almost most of the time in the kitchen watching you of course and all of your cooking partners. They are all amazing.

My question is???? What can you stuff in black olives as a snack or as a party treat?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and keep up the great work you are doing.
Jeff Jordan
Chicago Illinois
Jody Gibbs Said,

April 23, 2007 @ 12:39 pm

My daughter and son in law just opened a new eating establishment in Ladson S.C.(The Buffalo Grill)
How does your show $40 a day work? Do you travel upon invitation? Please give me the details. Thanks in advance for your time in answering my question.
Jody Gibbs Said,

April 23, 2007 @ 12:43 pm

My daughter and son in law just opened a new eating establishment in Ladson S.C.(The Buffalo Grill)
How does your show $40 a day work? Do you travel upon invitation? Please give me the details. Thanks in advance for your time in answering my question. Also I watch your shows every chance I get and really enjoy them all.
ELLEN STERN Said,

May 7, 2007 @ 2:22 pm

Hi, Rach-Love your show but want to find out where to get that kick-ass snake choker you wore today on the show. Love it!!! Can I get one???
Thanks so much-
Ellen Shharon, Vermont
Connie Lynch Said,

May 11, 2007 @ 9:04 am

Why do you always scratch your head?

Connie
Dawn Demers Said,

September 21, 2007 @ 9:06 pm

Hi Rachel, I have a question my husband is a fisherman and he keeps the fish in the freezer and the smell is all in the refrigerator. I tried the baking soda i have 3 boxes in the refrigerator and that is not helping can you please help me. Thank you
Dawn
doreen Said,

October 1, 2007 @ 2:40 pm

hi…. have two teenagers who don’t like my cooking anymore.need help in finding something they would like ,,,,,they don’t eat veg. help!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bea Said,

October 17, 2007 @ 11:31 pm

Hubby and I use to watch another show at the same time you come on. We now change the station when the other one comes on. We even watch you when it is a repeat!!
We have ordered your magazine, expecting it in the next two weeks. Thanks for the dog food and people recipes. They were great and the girls (rat terriers) and we were all impressed. Can you cook some simple meals that are diet (diabetic) friendly?? Any thing you make is find and if they is something in it that we can’t eat then I have learned to subsitute.
Thanks again, Bea
Jeremiah Said,

October 28, 2007 @ 2:17 pm

Rachel is hott to bad she got married cuz i wanna take her from behind fuckin here up the her ass.yeaahhh who wouldnt want that ass and fuckit
dredown Said,

October 28, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

Hi Rachel Babe I Love U Mama Ur So Hott Comment back ok ur hott i wanna take you from behind and fuck u hard with anal hott butt sex pussy sex and bellybutton sex and oral
Jill Bowers Said,

January 27, 2008 @ 9:06 pm

dear Rachel,Iwould love for you to come celebrate our 130th anniversary at HOLTERMANN’S bakery in STATEN ISLAND,new york in the summer.I’m a fourth generation ,my brother Jeff my cousin Billwith the bakery my dad still works everything we make is done with love and by hand. everybody just admires you ,we’re also doing a bake off with girl scouts as girl has to create a reciepe and bake it then they willbe judged.please com you pick the date july or august thanks, yours in baking, JIll Bowers 718-605-1217or 718984-7095-cell 718-9382979
Greek Island Cheap Holidays Said,

February 23, 2008 @ 12:13 am

A cheap Bahamas vacation can be the perfect family holiday

In today’s world of deadlines and hectic schedules our lifestyle leaves us little time to relax. A vacation with our close ones can help us unwind and rejuvenate our stressed body and soul.
Sue Edwards Said,

March 4, 2008 @ 7:31 am

Dear Rachel,
I am thinking about buying a set of your pots and pans. The interior of the pot and pans is not teflon is it? Just need to know before I make my decision since I have heard many negative things about teflon.
Thank you for your time. Love your show.
Sue