How Did Rachael Ray Get Started?

Born into a family of dedicated cooks and restaurateurs, Rachael Ray "grew up in food." Her culinary arts career officially began at the candy counter of Macy's Marketplace, where she quickly moved up to manager of fresh foods. She moved on to help set up Agata & Valentina, a happening NYC gourmet market, where she became both manager and buyer in short order. Rachael moved to upstate New York to work in restaurant and pub management at Lake George's Sagamore Resort, where she was recruited as the buyer for a noted gourmet market. She parlayed that position into a chef job and cooking class host. The popularity of her culinary classes catapulted her career into Food Network stardom with her popular show, "30-Minute Meals.  more