What's Wrong with Rachel Ray??

[Steamboat Girlie]

My 5 year old son loves her. When she is on - he is glued to the TV

My son is two and is also glued to the tv when she is on! He says "Ray-Ray" and then claps his hands. If my husband tries to change the channel, he freaks out. He also takes his pail and shovel and pretend to be stirring and cooking right along with her. It is too cute.

 

[TDC Nala]

now, Tyler Florence...he's cute.

 

[CarolA]

The stories I have heard about her filming that show are not very flattering to her in the least. She did a show on Asheville last summer and left a bad taste in the mouths of pretty much everyone she "worked" with at those restaurants. That is so sad. Hope she realizes how she is treating people before she gets too far gone that she can never redeem herself.

Well, My experience was much different. I saw her filming in Nashville (I actually appear on tape) She and her crew were VERY pleasant and the owner was VERY excited to be on the show. This was not a place where you tip so that wasn't an issue. I heard the manager the next day telling his friends that he thought it was a great experince.

I have heard some intersting Barefoot Contesa stories. (Personally she is the one I cannot stand.... A little too much for me in the "pretend I am really hosting a party")

 

[mantysk8coach]

Her voice is so gravelly, I can't tell if she's a smoker or just talks so much she loses her voice a lot.

Yes, she smokes. Anyone that has the $40 a Day book, check out page 232 and look closely in her right hand. I noticed that right away. It just surprised me that she smoked for some reason.

Also, here's what the book says about her tipping..."I was a waitress for many years. I agree, 15% should not be the standard, but while it is, we need to use that percentage. We count every penny! When that standard gets raised, we'll have to rethink the budget. In our personal lives, the crew and I grossly overtip."

 

[nwdisgal]

Yes, she smokes. Anyone that has the $40 a Day book, check out page 232 and look closely in her right hand. I noticed that right away. It just surprised me that she smoked for some reason.

Also, here's what the book says about her tipping..."I was a waitress for many years. I agree, 15% should not be the standard, but while it is, we need to use that percentage. We count every penny! When that standard gets raised, we'll have to rethink the budget. In our personal lives, the crew and I grossly overtip."

I wonder if her smoking affects the way she seasons food? I've worked with smokers before and they tend to over salt food because smoking desensitizes your taste buds to a certain extent.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Yes, she smokes. Anyone that has the $40 a Day book, check out page 232 and look closely in her right hand. I noticed that right away. It just surprised me that she smoked for some reason.

Wow! That suprised me too!

 

[tinkerella]

Oprah Winfrey has gotten her a spot at 10am on ABC (at least in NYC). She will be bumping the Tony Danza Show in NY and Philly....

 

[hentob]

I have heard some intersting Barefoot Contesa stories. (Personally she is the one I cannot stand.... A little too much for me in the "pretend I am really hosting a party")

She (Barefoot Contessa Lady) tries too hard to be calm and a Quiet Talker. Tell us your interesting stories. Is she a Bee-Atch IRL?

 

[Beth76]

OK, because of this thread I watched the $40 a day show and I didn't like it at all? I noticed a lot of times she's not even really getting a chance to taste the food before she goes "mmmmm". And I could totally do $40 a day by ordering a scone, a $10 steak (was it really that good?), and a salad and only drinking water. But, why would I want to eat like that on vacation?

 

[ACvmk]

And I could totally do $40 a day by ordering a scone, a $10 steak (was it really that good?), and a salad and only drinking water. But, why would I want to eat like that on vacation?

Because some people have to vacation on a strict budget. Not everyone has the monetary luxury of eating whereever and however they want every day of vacation. I for one, like seeing the various local restaurants that have been selected to represent the particular city. For those people that travel as a family its nice to see places you can eat that are reasonably priced without being fast food.

I like Rachael Ray although I agree she is getting too overexposed and risking a major marketing burnout. Food Network has realized that the vast majority of viewers are not gourmet cooks with formal culinary training and unlimited budgets and access to specialty food items. Rather, their viewers are real, ordinary folks with limited time, food budgets, and ability. I hope they present more of these type shows. Certainly there is a place for the fancy cooks, but in reality, its not realistic for the everyday family.

 

[Beth76]

Because some people have to vacation on a strict budget. Not everyone has the monetary luxury of eating whereever and however they want every day of vacation. I for one, like seeing the various local restaurants that have been selected to represent the particular city. For those people that travel as a family its nice to see places you can eat that are reasonably priced without being fast food.

Yeah but don't you think those people would go to a restaurant anyway and drink water and order only a $10 entree with no extras? I can understand the need for a show about different restaurants in a city. But, can you really get a good feel for it if you're just ordering a salad?

 

[RadioNate]

Because some people have to vacation on a strict budget. Not everyone has the monetary luxury of eating whereever and however they want every day of vacation. I for one, like seeing the various local restaurants that have been selected to represent the particular city. For those people that travel as a family its nice to see places you can eat that are reasonably priced without being fast food.

Even though she completely annoys me, I will say she does fill a needed market. Her style is right for everyday families etc.

I actually have a bigger 'issue' with $40 a Day than 30-Minute Meals. My problem is she doesn't choose the best restaurants to represent the city. In Dallas she went to LeMadeline. While not McDonalds fast food. It's a staple in all the mall foodcourts here. In our mail mall it's actually right next to McDonalds. How is a chain counter service place representative of Dallas cuisine? I've seen her tease a place that is known for steak or BBQ and then order Mac and Cheese and a salad just to meet her budget. That really isn't realistic either.

It's just a TV show and until this thread I hadn't spent that much time thinking about it.

 

[mickeysgal]

Yeah but don't you think those people would go to a restaurant anyway and drink water and order only a $10 entree with no extras? I can understand the need for a show about different restaurants in a city. But, can you really get a good feel for it if you're just ordering a salad?

Yes, I think this is entirely possible. I know I'd rather order a soup and salad in a nice restaurant than order something similar at a fast food place. I'd appreciate the atmosphere (and yes, I've done this before). Doesn't she now have a show that features restaurants in cities without a budget limitation? This should satisfy the non-budget viewers. She's got both sides of the fence covered now.

 

[offwegotoneverland]

frankly I didn't care for her 30 minute meal book that I got at all. I found too many of the ingredients/methods to have short cuts etc that I'm not interested in taking with my food. (I know that's her thing it's just not mine).

I also find her to be a little too cute for my tastes.

I'll stick with Martha thanks! (besides as the only Martha wannabee in my family I'm not yet ready to give up the fun in saying that's where I got this yet! )

 

[MinnieM21]

I have heard some intersting Barefoot Contesa stories. (Personally she is the one I cannot stand.... A little too much for me in the "pretend I am really hosting a party")

Tell us your stories!