15 Little Known Facts About Rachael Ray's Food Empire

Rachael Ray's name is synonymous with being a force of nature. She literally has so much on her plate (pun intended) and humbly still manages to work harder and harder to grow her already vast food empire. Of course, the fact that she's no Gordon Ramsay helps.

With over 24 published books, 7 television shows, a home goods brand that includes high-end kitchenware and dishes, a magazine, a premium pet food brand, and plenty of endorsements, what can't Rachael Ray do?

Her growing empire, however, was not built in a day. It started with quite a rocky road for her and to this day Rachael Ray credits her fame and success to lots of hard work, multitasking, and sacrifices. Of course, her celeb chef connections probably don't hurt. While her food empire was not built in a day, there is still lots about it that would surprise even her biggest fans.

15 The Empire Started In High School

From an early age, Rachael Ray showed the drive needed to succeed in the business world and the food industry. Her first business was in high school and was a gift basket service called "Delicious Liaisons" that she ran all by her young self.

14 Excuse Me, Teacher, Is This Enough Salt?

Rachel's first big break was 30 Minute Meals, and that stemmed from her genius idea to teach cooking classes on how to cook a meal in 30 minutes or less from basic items that were not selling at her then-current job at the gourmet food store, Cowan & Lobel.

13 Rachael Ray Is No Chef

She will be the first to tell you she is actually not a chef by trade. She has no professional training as a chef, according to her Food Network profile, and she feels it takes away from the professionals who have had training when she is referred to as one.

12 She Moved Away From The City Where Dreams Are Made

She was mugged twice while living in New York City so badly that it scared her into moving upstate to Albany, New York. It was only there while teaching her cooking classes that Rachael Ray was discovered by a local tv station, and eventually the Food Network.

11 The Legacy Continues

Rachael was born into the food industry with parents who were in the restaurant business. When her mother married her father, he owned three restaurants in upstate New York, and her mom even went on to managing nine restaurants at once and brought all three of her kids to work with her.

10 Started From The Bottom

Since her mom believed in bringing her children to work instead of leaving them with a babysitter, Rachael Ray started working in one of her mom's nine restaurants as a busgirl or dishwasher from an early age where she learned the value of hard work.

9 Her Dog Food Company Was Sued

Rachael's success has not come without its hardships. Her premium pet food company, Nutrish, had a class-action lawsuit against it. The manufacturer of her pet food claimed it was natural food for dogs without artificial flavors or preservatives but that turned out to be false.

8 Giving Back Is Chicken Soup For The Soul

Rachael Ray has founded two nonprofit organizations: one for animals, one for feeding kids. She created Yum-o!, a foundation dedicated to helping parents and children develop a healthy relationship with food, and also The Rachael Ray Foundation, a private organization that is fully funded by the proceeds from the sale of her petfood Nutrish to help animals in need.

7 Quite The Acting Career

Since being a nationally syndicated television host wasn't enough screen time for her, Rachael Ray also has a few acting gigs under her belt. She has a brief role as herself in the Gilmore Girls remake, Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life, and even a voiceover part in The Emoji Movie.

6 And The Emmy Awards Goes To...

Rachael Ray and her television shows have been nominated for 22 different awards in their careers. 10 of which were Day Time Emmy Awards and she has won twice! Both awards were for Outstanding Informative Talk Show, once in 2008 and again in 2019.

5 Burgers, Burgers, And More Burgers

As a celebrity "chef", Rachael Ray prides herself in recipes that are quick and easy for her audience and fans. Her claim to fame though: burgers. She literally has hundreds of burger recipes and has even dedicated one of her cookbooks to her specialty of burgers.

4 You Get A Mentor!

How incredibly lucky is Rachael Ray to have a mentor like Oprah Winfrey? In 2005 Oprah Winfrey had Rachael on The Oprah Winfrey Show when Rachael was just starting her television personality career, and ever since then their friendship (and Rachael's career) just flourished.

3 Rachael Runs On Dunkin

Rachael Ray has an endorsement deal with Dunkin Donuts because she claims she is terrible at making coffee. A lot of other celebrity chefs criticized her for this decision but she still stands by her partnership with the coffee and donut company to this day, despite the weird donut flavors they keep rolling out.

2 Say What You Want

Rachael Ray has always been very open about her personal life and business decisions, but that doesn't mean it has not come without its critics. She luckily has always taken criticism very well and would not be a success if she didn't. She even admires other famous chefs when they question her decisions. Talk about thick skin!

1 Make Some Room On The Shelf

Rachael Ray has published more than 24 books and counting. Thirteen of which have been best selling cookbooks in print. She also has no plans to stop writing best selling cookbooks so if you're a fan of her recipes and plan of buying more of her books, maybe don't tell your waistline.

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