Rachael Ray has announced that her daytime talk show will end this year, bringing to an end her stellar 17-season run.
The 54-year-old celebrity chef, who has visited war-torn Ukraine on several occasions, released a statement to Deadline on Friday, saying she was moving on to her “next exciting chapter”.
“In my 20+ years in television, I’ve had 17 wonderful seasons working with Rachael on daytime television,” Ray began.
“But I’ve made the decision that it’s time for me to move on to the next exciting chapter in my broadcasting career.”
The Rachael Ray Show is hardly the first syndicated star to come to an end recently, as she joins a long list of closed programs like Dr. Phil, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Wendy Williams Show, Maury, Dr. Oz and The Real connects.
Saying goodbye: Rachael Ray, 54, has announced her daytime talk show will end this year, bringing to an end its stellar 17-season run
The ending of Ray’s show follows the formation of a new production company called Free Food Studios in partnership with Intentional Content, according to Deadline.
The beloved foodie’s statement continued, “My passions have evolved from the talk show format, production and syndication model to a platform unencumbered by traditional distribution rules…
“As such, I’m excited to put all of my energy into my recently announced production arm, Free Food Studios.
“Thank you to all of our Rachael Daytime Show partners, crew and affiliates and the wonderful years we’ve all worked together.”
The Rachael Ray Show, which debuted in 2006, became the best syndicated program launched that year and garnered 37 Daytime Emmy nominations over the following 17 seasons, winning three for Outstanding Talk Show.
The core of Rachael’s format highlights her relatable cooking skills alongside her fun and easy-going interviewing style.
Celebrity guests are an important element, as the 30 Minutes Food star has interviewed A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, the Kardashians and even former First Lady Michelle Obama.
The show also features musical performances and makeover segments, with Ray’s catchphrase being “See you when we see you.”
Her next chapter: The celebrity chef released a statement to Deadline on Friday, explaining that she’s moving on to her “next exciting chapter.”
Ray’s statement began: “In my 20+ years on television, I have spent 17 wonderful seasons with Rachael on daytime television. However, I have made the decision that it is time for me to move on to the next exciting chapter in my broadcasting career.
A new venture: The end of Ray’s show follows the formation of a new production company called Free Food Studios in partnership with Intentional Content (pictured with former first lady Michelle Obama), according to Deadline.
CBS Media Ventures President Steve LoCascio said in a statement, “When Rachael debuted her show 17 years ago, it was a turning point during the day.
“She made cooking accessible to the masses, taught viewers simple solutions to improve their lives, and elicited great stories from celebrity guests with her relatable down-to-earthness.
“We are proud to have produced such a successful show with Rachael and her team over so many years. We will miss Rachael every day on the air, but we will always be family.
The Rachael Ray Show was one of the first daytime programs to resume filming amid the Covid pandemic, returning in October 2021 for its 16th season.
2020 was a difficult year for Ray and her husband of 18 years, John Cusimano, 55, when the couple lost their home in upstate New York to an accidental fire in August 2020.
They also suffered from the flooding at their Manhattan apartment in September of that year, and their pit bull Isaboo died in June that summer.
When asked by Extra what she was grateful for, Ray replied, “To be alive. When I lost my dog I was so thankful to be with her for the last months of her life.’
“She died in my arms… I felt guilty and grateful at the same time…” Ray explained.
Huge hit: The Rachael Ray Show, which debuted in 2006, became the best syndicated program launched that year, garnering 37 Daytime Emmy nominations over the next 17 seasons, winning three for Outstanding Talk Show
The beloved foodie’s statement continued, “My passions have evolved from the talk show format, production and syndication model to a platform unencumbered by traditional distribution rules. So I’m excited to put all my energy into my recently announced production arm, Free Food Studios (pictured with former President Bill Clinton in 2015).
A lovable host: The core of Rachael’s format highlights her relatable cooking skills alongside her fun and easy-going interviewing style. Celebrity guests are an important element as the 30 Minute Meals star has interviewed many A-listers (pictured with Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner).
Ray’s career in the kitchen began as a child in the family restaurant, where she made her “first memory” at the age of three.
Speaking to Tasting Table last year, she said: “I started working in the kitchen when I was eight or nine years old.
“I got my working papers when I was 14. My first memory was when I was three years old, grilling my thumb on my plate at our Cape Cod restaurant.”
The Food Network star went on to share what she’s most proud of, saying: “Looking back on my life, I’m proud of two things.
“I started a foundation to support philanthropy to give back to the world because I don’t have human children. I have dogs, but I wanted to give back to people first.
Rachael reflected on her philosophy of life to succeed and give back to the world.
“I love my life,” Ray explained. “I earned my life. We have to think about our lives. Building a life for yourself means not only finding a niche for yourself, your business, or your money, but also finding a way to give back.
“I think the universe only keeps you balanced as long as you are balanced and choose to give as much as you get. I really believe in it.’
Grateful: Ray concluded her statement by saying, “Thank you to all of our Rachael Daytime Show partners, crew and partners and the wonderful years we’ve all worked together.”