Overview
When one of her recipes calls for "EVOO," cooks knowingly reach for the extra-virgin olive oil. When she declares a dish "Yum-O," those who have tried her meals can nod in agreement. Rachael Ray grew up surrounded by great restaurant cooks, so cooking was a natural and integral part of her life. She first began cooking at home with her mother, moved on to performing cooking demonstrations at local food markets, and finally ended up making successful cooking shows for television. How did an untrained cook who grew up in small-town, upstate New York go on to become one of the Food Network's biggest stars? Perhaps most intriguingly, what role has she played in America's ongoing food revolution? Rachael Ray tells the story of a woman who has made a career of encouraging others to cook, eat, and love food as much as she does. From her catalog of cookbooks to her line of cookware, Ray has become a powerful force in food education.Synopsis
When one of her recipes calls for "EVOO," cooks knowingly reach for the extra-virgin olive oil. When she declares a dish "Yum-O," those who have tried her meals can nod in agreement. Rachael Ray grew up surrounded by great restaurant cooks, so cooking was a natural and integral part of her life. She first began cooking at home with her mother, moved on to performing cooking demonstrations at local food markets, and finally ended up making successful cooking shows for television. How did an untrained cook who grew up in small-town, upstate New York go on to become one of the Food Network's biggest stars? Perhaps most intriguingly, what role has she played in America's ongoing food revolution? Rachael Ray tells the story of a woman who has made a career of encouraging others to cook, eat, and love food as much as she does. From her catalog of cookbooks to her line of cookware, Ray has become a powerful force in food education.
Children's Literature
How does someone with several successful TV series, fifteen best-selling cookbooks, her own magazine, and an Emmy see herself? If it is the self-effacing Rachael Ray, here are some answers: "completely unqualified for any job," troll-like, kind of like Frodo," and "all of the most embarrassing Food Network moments in one person." Born in 1968 to an Italian mom and French/Cajun dad—both in the restaurant business—it is no surprise Ray's niche is food oriented. In fact, her first word was "vino," her school lunches reeked of garlic, and she first made an elaborate meal for her mom at age twelve. Speaking of mom, Ray's hard working mother remains her role model and best friend: "she was loud and fierce 4'11" in stiletto heels and did the work of twelve men." Like mother, like daughter. Thriving on four hours of sleep a night, Ray is the original Energizer Bunny. Not only does she work hard; she never takes no for an answer. Case in point: after being turned down by a publisher, she convinced said publisher to meet in person, showered her with recipes, and received a contract. The author of this title in the "Women of Achievement" series has done a nice job with research, quotes, and vignettes. Some of the sources quoted may be a bit inappropriate for teens, like the New York Times reference to "lifestyle porn," and the "In Her Own Words" sidebar quotes are less interesting than those sprinkled throughout. Still, a great read, especially if you are a fan. Reviewer: Naomi Milliner