30 Minute Meals is a Food Network show hosted by Rachael Ray. Her first of four shows on Food Network debuted in the fall of 2001. The show specializes in convenience cooking for those with little time to cook. The show is recorded live-to-tape, with Ray doing almost all preparation in real time. The show was awarded an Emmy for Best Daytime Service Show in 2006.
A common feature on the program is the creation of new versions of classic dishes (including clam chowder and macaroni and cheese), some of which are traditionally slow to cook. Ray focuses on creating meals in less than 30 minutes. Ray has also done two specials with the title Thanksgiving in 60, about preparing a Thanksgiving dinner in one hour.
Each episode Ray opens the show by saying "Hi there, I'm Rachael Ray and I make 30-minute meals. Now that means in the time it takes you to watch this program, I will have made a delicious and healthy meal from start to finish."
About the show
Rachel Ray's '30 Minute Meals', based on the cookbook series, debuted on November 17, 2001. After writing and releasing her cookbook in 1999, Rachel Ray went on NBC's Today show to make soup with Al Roker. Two weeks later she had two pilot shows on TV.
Criticism of the show
Criticism of Rachel Ray's show has been levied despite its successes. Ray had no formal cooking experience, leading to complaints about the appearance of her food. Matters of grammar and her expressions, such as 'Sammies' (sandwiches) and 'Yum-o' when she tastes the food, were also probematic.
Charlie Dougiello, Ray's director of publicity stated, "Rachael always says that some of the criticisms of her as a chef are correct. She is not a chef. She whips up meals in a way some chefs would cringe at. If she slips up, she slips up. We don't stop taping. It is just like life."
Books
The TV series has also led to a group of cookbooks.
Since the original 30 Minute Meals: Comfort Foods came out, several other books have also been published:
References
External links
- 30 Minute Meals at foodnetwork.com
- 30 Minute Meals at Rachael Ray's Official Site
- 30 Minute Meals on IMDb
- 30 Minute Meals at TV.com