Rachael and her mom, Elsa, were honored a few weeks ago by the National Organization of Italian American Women. The event was a beautiful luncheon where guests were serenaded by lovely opera singers and flanked by distinguished Italian American women and men. Roseanne Colletti MC’ed the event (she is a newscaster in New York City) and Matilda Cuomo gave Elsa her award followed by Geraldine Ferraro who gave Rachael hers. It was a special day that honored the togetherness and love within our families. It also recognized the influence Italians have had on food in America and the many delicious products that the Italians have brought here and made part of our culture. Here are some photos from the event:
May 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
What an honor for two wonderfully amazing and gracious women.
Being an Italian woman myself, I wish I could have attended Rachael and Elsa’s wonderful day.
Thank you Rach and Elsa for all your inspiration!
Hugs
Debi xox
May 18th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
my friend and i are using u as are hero for a show at school. we need to know alot about u.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:25 am
RACHEL RAY YOU ROCK !!!!!
I love your show and watch it every day !
Its a big inspirtation to women and men of all ages.
May 20th, 2008 at 9:31 am
ILOVEYOU
May 20th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Dear Rachel,
I have been watching your show with my daughter forever! My daughter, Emily, is now 26 years old and the most amazing person I have ever met in my life. Several years ago she was diagnosed with a rare {very rare} autoimmune disease. So far there have only been 2 cases known in the world and the other patient sadly did not have the help that Emily has found. I want you to know just how amazing she is. She is married with a 4 year old named Robby. I hardly know where to begin with her story so I will tell you what she is going through now. She has been having chemotherapy for 2 years. The chemo keeps her disease in check at best. Her doses of chemo are over 10 times the normal rate. Her doctors are doing the best they can at UCONN Medical Center in Farmington, Connecticut but even they are still searching for answers. Her disease destroys the nerve mylen in her eyes. Eventually it will spread to her spine and then paralyze her heart. Every visit to the doctor we hope that the chemo is working. However the doctors are trying to extend the time in between treatments but to no avail. She has to be hospitalized for her doses and there is always the threat that she will not live through it. ICU nurses bring in the “crashcart” just in case her heart stops. She goes in like a trooper and always makes the rest of us feel comfortable that she will be fine. Unfortunately because we all have to work she goes through this all alone. She never complains or asks anyone for anything. In between the week of chemo she has to have gamma globulin treatments. A nurse comes to her home for three days and gives it to her through a port that was surgically placed in her chest. Both treatments make her violently ill. Throughout all of this she still remains a wonderful wife,mother,daughter, and sister. She has never asked for anything but gives all of herself to everyone. She is fighting for her life every second of every day. I was hoping that you might know someone who can help give her a break. Maybe someone might have an idea to help her have just a few days of fun with her family. She keeps house and is raising the most beautiful child. He tries so hard to help “Mama” get better. He always reminds her of her medication and wants her to feel ok. My heart is breaking for her and her family. She’s always had a very hard road in life and this has just topped everything. She deserves so much happiness and I don’t know where to turn to help her. The doctor told me that they are hoping to give her 10 to 15 years of life but that seems so short for her child. Can you or anyone you know think of anything? I love her so much and she has been my biggest inspiration in life. I know that no matter what happens she has taught all the meaning of fighting. Please ask around and see if anyone can come up with an idea. I wish there was something for her as a reward for her hard determination. Please contact me if you can. You have made it obvious how much you care about others. Thanks for reading this and I wish you happiness in every part of your life. God bless you.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Rachel Ray
I love cooking show alot I recorded for me to see what you cook that day.
Sinerly
Your Fan
Jennifer Schirripa
May 21st, 2008 at 9:33 am
dear Rachel
I love all your shows but the food you have on your shows for kids well not work for my kids thy are so picky pleas help all thy well eat is pazza, mac n chees ,cerale ,chees stix,backon,mashed petios,top rome,meat cookes,chens nuggets,frys help me and my wife are frusted plesa help
May 21st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I love watching your show and think it is just wonderful that you and your mother were honoured by NOIAW. Keep up the great work.
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
Dear Rachael Ray,
I’m almost 17 and I plan on moving out of my family’s house in a few years. While I live with my family my dachshund (Reba) eats regular dog food (a.k.a. the dry kernals from a bag) ,but when I move out I would like to start making food for Reba like you make for Izzy. But I have only seen a few episodes of “30 Minute Meals” that you make a dog version of the meal. I think that it would be cool if you could make a cook book with all your dog food recipes in it so that I and people like me can do for our dogs what you do for yours. Thanks for listening.
~Samantha J. Wollbrinck
May 24th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hi! Rachael!
I design fashions on paper women and men apparel. I,m hoping one day some one would reckonize my talent and become successful!.
I love your show and the food you cook seems delicious. I’m fiftyone and loves too cook also. My meat loaf, dressing,steak,fried fish,potatoe salad,macaroni and cheese,Ribbs,everyone loves!.
One day i’m hoping too exchange recipes,would love too try some of yours I’ve seen on the show. Thanks for giving me your time!.
Much love and success!
$ Francine Sanderson $
May 24th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Your recipes are great. Is there a way to put a link from your recipes to the show were you made them so I could watch it ?
May 26th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Hi Last Minute Lady ~
I have a question- I love those brightly colored roasting dishes that Rach has been using on her show the last month or so… please tell me they are a sneak preview of another addition to her cookware line. I so want them and if they are a Rach collection - any idea when we can see them on line or in the stores??
Thanks for all your updates and helpful information
Debi
May 28th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Hi My Name is Imani Bush.And i would just like to say thankyou! I want and will be a Cook. Just like you. Thank you for being on foodnetwork. It is fabulous. FoodNetWork has really changed the way i cook. I have been cooking since i was 7 years old. I am now 12 going on 13 in July. I love to cook. My future cooking life I hope is jusy like yours. I love your shows When i tell some people that i cook and what i want to be when i grow up some just look at me like you cant cook. and some just are like that is cool!But you would be surprised what i can do for my age.. Then they go and ask my parents and they just say yes she cooks and does everyhing. I want to be a chef just like you. I just want to have my own show.. I wouldn’t mind to learn more things to pursue my future plans. And if things don’t turn out the way they do i have a back up of being a singer and pleanty more. I would love to be on FoodNetwork. It is my dream and one day i will persue it. I actually have people talking about me in my sisters High School and they are just like no you want some good food go to kiona’s little sister. And i take it well. Unitl they come to me like my kitchen like it says Imani’s Resturant. You have really changed the way i cook. When i cook i pretend that i am doing my own show. I am preparing for my future. Keep on having shows and I will keep trying to pursue my career.!
May 29th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Congratulations and well-deserved. What I love the most about your show (and you, of course) is the obvious love for family and traditions that shows. As the saying goes, “The two most important things you can give your children are roots and wings.” Many family traditions and memories involve food (at least in our family!), and as we, our children and grandchildren continue to prepare the “family recipes”, we continue to feel the connection to each other. We feel more secure in where we came from, and in consequence, our ability to spread our wings in life. Your show reminds me of all of this, as well as the wonderful times with my mom and siblings. It reminds me the importance of continuing to gather my grandchildren and cook with them and give them “roots” to grow with. Thanks for your show!
May 29th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Hey Rachel,
So here is the deal. I’m really trying to limit my eating out as a single guy, and love your show. The problem is that if I follow your recipe I end up with lots of leftovers and I might like to eat something different the next day, so more leftovers. I’m looking through your site for quick meals for one. Do you have anything dedicated to that? I don’t really gain weight, but eating healthy is still important to me. Can you or someone point me in the right direction. I feel pretty good when I have created something that tastes great, but I need to make it in smaller portions. I’m not alone as my other single friends all lament about the same issue. It is hard to cook for one…
June 1st, 2008 at 2:25 am
Hello Rachel ,,,,
that u make and the grate tips u give). And also send all my family regards to you my father mother brothers and sister wife’s and husband “ they all send you the best wishes “.
this is the first time I send u something I always think that it might not reach u but live trying… I just wanted to great you,,,
Also express my sorrow because of the problems that happened to you after making the coffee advertisement and accusing you for dressing something similar to our symbol that I discover that it became a terrorist sign while in fact it’s a symbol for our peaceful tradition but any way I think I need to re-address my apology for you.
At the end nothing more to say about how much I admire you and your show and the way you talk and how beautiful person you are (I don’t wont to forget the nice recipes
And I want to tell you also to send my greeting to your husband with all the respect for him and you wish you all the best in your life and god bless both of you .
Best regard
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Rachael Ray for President ‘08 !!!
(just kidding Rach)
June 6th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Hi, keep up the good work…
June 26th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
ya i have a question. when i have a hockey what kind of fruit is good for me to eat if i don’t eat that many kinds of fruit. it has to be some thing light but yummy
Bailey Age 10
July 4th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
that president thing could work.keep up the good work Rach.
July 5th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Congrats on the award, Rachael! You are doing a lot of things which is wonderful but I worry about one thing…your voice. When I hear you speak on any of your shows, your voice sounds strained often…most of the time. I’m wondering if you are feeling it because it’s the kind of thing I worry about as a music teacher…..vocal nodules. I hope that you have an ENT doc to go and get the vocal cords checked out. It’s not something to mess with or ignore for anyone who has to speak often like you do. Just concerned…keep up the good work!
August 19th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Hi Rachael.
In 2002 I was told that I had stage 4 Nasal Pahryngeal Cancer.After 35 days of radiation and 7 months of chemo,I was really tired.I was getting hungry one day,but not to much energy to cook.I just happend to switch the channel to the food network,and there was a show on called 30 minute meals.What a wonderful idea I thought.With the little strength I had 30 minutes would be perfect for me to cook a meal for myself.I just can not thank you enough for your wonderful and easy 30 minute meals.The receipes made it possible for me to help myself during my recovery.Again Thank You from the bottom of my heart.
Steve