The Building of an Empire: Rachael Ray

Move over Oprah you have competition. Rachael Ray is on her way to owning her own empire. Rachael has conquered Food Network with an impressive resume of at least three shows running and appearances on many holiday specials. Rachael's show 30 Minute Meals is quickly becoming a classic with many other shows imitating her ideas and style. Her travel shows $40 a Day and Tasty Travels are fun and interesting even for non-travelers like myself.

Rachael Ray was not content to keep herself relegated to cable television and this September marked the launch of Ray's new talk show. On the show Rachael tries to stay true to her culinary background focusing on many food related topics. For example today she cooked a double duty meal, talked about embarrassing jobs she had as a teenager in the food business, and had a couple do a recipe throw down in her studio. Rachael's chatty and friendly style lends itself well to a talk show.

Some people may not know it but for a while Miss Ray had teamed up with Price Chopper Supermarkets. She was featured with a recipe in their sales flyers. Yet another medium for Rachael to spread her message of quick, easy, tasty dinners made at home. What more could Rachael do? Oh how about a series of cookbooks for a start. Rachael has over a dozen different books in print. There is a book for everyone; men kids, travelers, and even vegetarians.

Last but not least to prove Rachael is the new queen of all media we have Every Day With Rachael Ray Magazine. Just like the talk show Rachael relies on her culinary roots and casual chic flair to bring together a magazine that I think appeals to a broad audience. The recipes in the magazines always range from simple family friendly fair to the more exotic and chic. The magazine boasts a section with a weeklong menu and shopping lists as well as many other recipes, kitchen, and entertaining ideas. The interviews and peaks into celebrity fridges and menus are humorous and entertaining. The travel sections reflect Rachael's shows and again entertain even those who do not travel. Sections on kid cooks along with a cute pet of the month and pet recipes make it obvious Miss Ray has a soft spot for kids and animals. The only things I find somewhat laughable are the style section and many of the stylish items for your home. Most of the items shown are high-end items that most of middle America are not going to be purchasing. This month's style page showed how you could get Rachael and her husband John's style. The least expensive item on the page was a vintage look t-shirt for fifty-eight dollars, which was a steal next to pairs of two hundred dollar jeans and two pairs of three hundred plus dollar, boots! All and all the magazine is great.

Now all that is left is to find out what Rachael Ray plans to take on next? Will it be a line of food, a sitcom, or a line of clothing? What ever she does is sure to be gold.