by Rita Chandler

Created on: May 13, 2010

"Yum-O." "EVOO." "GB." Stoup." These all sound like some nationality created a new language but it is just the language of Rachael Ray. If no one knows her for 30 minute meals then she is surely known for her Rachaelisms. The term EVOO is so popular Oxford American College Dictionary added it last year. What does it mean? Extra virgin olive oil, of course. For those of you who didn't know that, you must not know much about Rachael Ray, so let me inform you.

Rachael does not want anyone to call her a chef because she does not believe she has earned the honors since she never attended culinary school. She learned her trade in a variety of ways, the first being in the family owned restaurant, Carvery, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Rachael is proud to admit her first big paying job was in the fresh foods department in Macy's at NYC, that she eventually managed. Let's not forget her famous soda fountain drinks that could only be learned on-the-job at HoJo.

Rachael's concept of 30 minute meals pays tribute to being a buyer at Cowan & Lobel, a gourmet market in Albany, NY. People constantly came to her and said everything looked great in the store but they didn't have time to incorporate the ingredients into a meal, so Rachael gave the people what they needed. She began teaching how to cook meals that could be prepared in thirty minutes or less. Rachael's cooking style has always been a little Cajun from her Louisiana born father, James Ray, and a lot Italian from her Sicilian mother Elsa. A local CBS TV affiliate, WRGB, heard about Rachael's cooking classes and created a weekly T.V. spot for her. Thus a star and renowned cook was born.

John Cusinano was supposed to be the perfect man for a friend of Rachael's but when he and the cook first met, they talked for hours. John's interest in cooking and iron-stomach made Rachael fall in love. They married September 24, 2005 in Italy and made their home in the Adirondack's along with her mother, a cat, two fish and the famous Isaboo, Rachael's pit bull.

Everyone credits Oprah Winfrey for "discovering" Rachael by giving her a fan favorite talk show but Rachael was a fan favorite long before the "Rachael Ray Show". She has always been a favorite of those who watch the Food Network. First with "30 Minute Meals" and later with "$40 a Day", and "Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels." Rachael's homey, informative and funny magazine Everyday With Rachael Ray  launched in October 2005. It is now a must magazine among women ages 25-50.

Going back to Rachael's catch phrases. If you have not figured out "Stoup" it is really very simple. It is Rachael's word for a one-pot wonder that is a cross between a soup and a stew. "GB" stands for garbage bowl that Rachael has sitting on the counter whenever she cooks and anything from pepper seeds to chicken bones goes into the garbage bowl. As for "Yum-O", it was just a phrase Rachael used to describe the delicious flavor of something but has evolved into something very different. "Yum-O" is Rachael's non-profit charity that helps children and families develop healthier eating habits by getting them back to the kitchen to cook healthier foods. Rachael also has a natural and healthy dog food, Nutrish that she developed for Isaboo, and all the proceeds go to helping at-risk animals.

www.rachaelray.com

www.wikipedia.com

www.huffingtonpost.com

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