She created a media empire built of talk shows, magazines and an endless banquet of recipes.
But is Rachael Ray really as nice and bubbly as she appears on TV?
Most fans say yes, but critics claim otherwise.
Here's a taste of the many image-busting scandals the tabloids have cooked up about Ray.
Marital Blues
Ray and her husband, producer John Cusimano, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary
in 2015 by renewing their vows during a lavish ceremony in Italy.
Ray gushed about the event to People magazine.
But tabloid reports suggest their marriage is anything but perfect.
In 2013, the National Enquirer alleged Cusimano was a member of a swingers' club in New York
City and had cheated on Ray.
Ray's camp denied the story, who said the tabloid piece was "another pack of lies printed
by the National Enquirer who have been targeting John and Rachael for several years with no
merit."
Oprah Winfrey Diss
Oprah played a major role in launching Ray's television career, but as Ray's television
fame grew, some say the ladies' relationship has soured.
In January 2007, TMZ reported that an allegedly drunk Ray made "disparaging racial remarks"
about Winfrey during a dinner in 2005.
The story was vehemently challenged by Ray's camp, who told TMZ,
"Rachael did attend the dinner referenced and enjoyed wine and good conversation with
friends and colleagues.
She denies making any of the comments referenced.
In fact, there are several words that are attributed to Rachael that she has never uttered
in her life."
But it didn't stop there.
In May 2008, the National Enquirer claimed Ray and Winfrey were "at war" because Winfrey
supposedly had concerns about Ray's talk show and magazine.
Ray dismissed the gossip during an episode of her show which aired that month, saying,
"[The rumor about] Oprah just broke my heart.
It really did.
It killed me, I'm like, 'No!
We like each other!'"
Devious Politics
In 2008, TMZ tore apart Ray's election night cooking guide magazine spread in an effort
to reveal a, quote, "devious, grassy knoll-like plot that could decide the presidency."
While the actual recipes went out of their way to sound neutral, even including unappetizing
titles like "Bipartisan Salad," TMZ noted that the photos next to the dishes were allegedly
laid out in favor of Barack Obama over John McCain.
They noted three instances where Obama and McCain buttons or stickers are arranged in
a dining display, but in all three photos, Obama’s image is clear, while McCain’s
image is either partially obstructed from view or blurry.
Truly Earth-shattering stuff.
Domestic Terrorist
Also in 2008, Ray found herself engulfed by a controversial Dunkin' Donuts ad.
Some suggested the chef was supporting terrorism because she was wearing a black and white
scarf that looked like a traditional Arab headdress.
The brand said no political symbolism was intended.
Ray leading a double life as a terrorist?
That seems far-fetched, but the commercial was pulled off the air for good measure.
Terrible Tipper?
As part of her Food Network show $40 a Day, Ray spent a lot of airtime visiting eateries.
Having made a living in the food industry, you'd think she'd be eager to give back to
struggling waiters and waitresses.
Not so, according to some critics who've labeled her a notoriously cheap tipper, reportedly
leaving waitstaff a paltry 10 percent gratuity.
Interestingly enough, Ray starred in a Food Network program in 2014 called The Big Tip:
Serving Up Big Tips, which scoured the country looking for waiters and waitresses that deserve
a "life-changing tip."
Which was hopefully more than her usual $2.84.
Becky With The Good Hair
This debacle is a case of mistaken identity leading many to believe Ray was living a double
life as rapper Jay Z's mistress.
For real.
Beyoncé's Lemonade debuted in the spring of 2016, igniting a frenzied search for the
person referenced in her "Sorry" track.
In the last line of the song, Beyoncé mentions “Becky with the good hair.”
Some Beyoncé fans, known collectively as "The Beehive," linked "Becky" to fashion designer
Rachel Roy.
Roy may or may not have been the reason Beyoncé's sister, Solange Knowles, attacked Beyoncé's
husband, Jay Z, in an elevator in that notorious TMZ footage.
Still following?
The Hive mistook Roy's name for Ray's, leading them to swarm Ray's social media accounts
with lemonade and bee emojis, insults, and even misguided boycotts of her products.
All those bees, and not one of them could spell.
Fortunately, Ray shrugged off the scandal with a laugh, telling US Weekly,
"Rachel sent me flowers, and I sent her a bottle, a big bottle of wine and a straw."
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