My girl Rachael Ray has been getting a lot of flack lately, and I may get a lot of flack for writing this, but o’well, I am going to say it anyway! Seems that yet another talented, tough, hard working girl just got too famous for where some say she is supposed to be – she’s in the top of the cooking industry and she’s not even a real trained chef at that – blasphemy! Well I can admit that sometimes she is too hyper for my taste and perhaps she is a bit gruff and speaks her own language of abbreviations and short cuts which can annoy and confuse, but honestly, when I think about it, those personality quirks are outweighed by the many things I like about her.
1) She is Sicilian
2) She learned to cook from her Grandfather
3) She makes mistakes all the time, like real people do in the kitchen, and they don’t edit it out
4) She has brought cooking to the mainstream like no one before her (except for maybe Emeril Lagasse and he gets the same sort of flack that she does)
5) She, unlike many of my other favorite celebrity chefs like Giada De Laurentiis, Nigella Lawson and Mario Batali never had any connections to help her get where she has gone
6) She is a cook, not a trained chef and still she has made it to the top of the cooking industry – something we could all strive to do
7) She has that blue-collar working girl ethic, which I really admire
Rachael Ray is the real deal, she is self made, self taught and she is not afraid to be herself. Her personality, the very thing she is critiqued for the most, is totally real. With her, you get what you see. No one can say anything better about a person.
Subscribe in a reader
I completely agree with you! It always annoys me a bit when people deride her for not being professionally trained. Most people aren’t, but they still need to know how to cook good meals! Thanks for saying it for me!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for stopping by!
And thanks for the support. I really was not sure how people would react to this topic, as there seems to be a lot of trash being talked about her as of late. But I am glad there are more people out there who agree that you don’t have to be a professional chef to be a good cook, and a good teacher of cooking!
She makes everything look so easy! Of course she HAS people to chop he food and clean up. (my jealousy speaking).
I do hate nepotism with TV celebrities - makes you feel that the average Joe can’t get anywhere on their own merits so thumbs up to Rachael for that. Also, good for you for sticking up for her! We don’t have her TV show over her but we have a similar cook who people tend to venerate because she’s not glamourous like Nigella - but her food is awesome!
Rachael Ray is sure an inspiration to show what can be accomplished with raw talent, determination and following opportunity. It amazes me that she can handle so many different TV shows, a magazine, a product line, and cookbooks and still have a life!! Whew.
One thing I like about her is the incidental, off-handed way she gives little tips for the at home cooks. She looks like she is having such a blast in the kitchen.
Mom
Wow Guys!
I am happy to see how many people out there are fans of Rachael. I guess there are more people out there that probably like her, it is just that we tend to hear all the negativity. If someone likes something, they don’t tend to voice their opinions as strongly as those who do not like something.
But the greatest thing is seeing someone get ahead in life on their own hard work and merit, and being able to maintain their personality and independence at the same time!
Thank you everyone for your comments on this, and stopping by my blog!
I like her too. She makes cooking fun and she’s a bit fiesty. I’m not into the refined behaviour of a Martha Stewart. Cooking to me is about getting down and dirty and trying new things and hoping they turn out!
Absolutely! I like her fiesty-ness as well. It makes it fun to watch.
I don’t know anything about her, but I like her already…
Cooking is as much art as it is science and like all art raw talent, feeling and creativity are key. Think about how many songwriters and musicians are successful without studying a degree in music theory.
There is always more than one way to do something. There is no fixed rulebook.
She has created her own good fortune by loving what she does, so let’s be grateful for people like her in this world.
Rob
Hi Rob,
Yes, I have always said that cooking is my art form. It comes naturally and it is a creative outlet for me. I am a firm believer that you should do what you love!
I like her too. Yes, I’ve also rolled my eyes a fair number of times while she spouts off about EVOO and such, but you know what? She’s good, and she shows people that everyone has the time and talent to cook at least once in a while. Brava Rachel and brava Jenn for going out on a limb to defend her
Oops, I mean “Rachael”
Thanks, Sognatrice. I am indebted to Rachael beacuse she inspires me to promote myself as a cook, even though I don’t have “formal” training. And it has landed me some gigs!
I’m so glad to hear of others that like Rachael!
I just found out that there is actually a website called the rachael ray sucks community. what the heck! If people hate a girl like Rachael Ray so much that they would spend all their time and effort on junk like that, what is the rest of the world to do? Everyone must REALLY hate the rest of us, who aren’t always upbeat and sharing their personal favorite tips and tricks with the rest of the world.
I just have to say that the lady (if you can call her that) who created that site is just ugly, fat, and envious. just saying.*Edited by Moderator*Oh and PS, Rachael Ray is my inspiration!
Jessica!
Thanks for your comments and support of Rachael Ray. I agree that if people have so much hate that all they can do is sit around and bash Rachael all day, they really should find something more productive to do with their time. But I do not think name calling is the best way to go about it.
Thanks!