Rachel Ray

Rachel Ray, Celebrity chef. Born Rachael Domenica Ray on August 25, 1968 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Raised in Lake George, New York, Ray grew up surrounded by family in the restaurant business. She herself held several jobs in the food industry, including opening Agata & Valentina specialty food market in New York City. It was while working in a gourmet food shop in Schenectady, New York, that Ray developed her signature "30 Minute Meals" classes, which were soon picked up by a local television newscast.

The cooking segments eventually led to Ray’s first book deal and a contract with Food Network. Vivacious and oftentimes goofy, Ray’s shtick is simple recipes involving shortcuts that anyone can do at home. 30 Minute Meals was so popular that Food Network debuted three other programs starring the bubbly cook: $40 a Day, Inside Dish and Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels. She has also authored numerous cookbooks around the quick cook theme, including 2001’s Comfort Foods, 2003’s Get Togethers and 2005’s Rachael Ray 365