When you think about Rachael Ray, it’s clear that her love for cooking and life didn’t just happen overnight. In fact, it seems like the apple—or in this case, the olive—didn’t fall far from the tree. Her mom, Elsa, has been a guiding force in Rachael's life, and their shared passion for food has become the foundation of everything Rachael does.
Mom’s Influence on Rachael’s Career
At 51 years old, Rachael Ray has built an empire that spans TV shows, cookbooks, and even her own line of food products. But behind the scenes, it’s her mom, Elsa—a 85-year-old Sicilian who spent 60 years working in restaurants—who has been the ultimate mentor. Rachael, in an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, revealed that her mom's wisdom has been the guiding light behind her success. Elsa’s advice isn’t just about cooking; it’s about how to live a fulfilling life.
Learning from the Best
“My mom worked in restaurants for 60 years, and she’s given me so much advice—so much that it could fill several encyclopedias,” Rachael said. “But the things I try to incorporate into my daily life are simple yet profound: take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” It’s advice that’s helped Rachael stay grounded while building a massive brand over the past two decades.
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Celebrating Mom’s Legacy
On Instagram, Rachael celebrated her mom’s birthday by sharing some of Elsa’s favorite dishes. The post was a love letter to her mom, filled with recipes that reflect Elsa’s love for bold flavors and fresh ingredients. From artichokes with lemon tarragon vinaigrette to fried zucchini sticks from the garden, it’s clear that Elsa’s culinary influence runs deep in Rachael’s life.
View this post on InstagramHappy July 18 Club! My mom Elsa was born 84 years ago today & if she’s an indication, this is one helluva club to belong to. These were a few of her favorite things: Artichokes w/ lemon tarragon vinaigrette caponata (sweet n spicy eggplant, celery, peppers, onions, garlic, olives, chili + basil); pistachios on top of green tomato salad w/ green chilies, mint, cucumber, lime + EVOO; ‘Nduja ricotta eggs w/ crispy pepperoni; fried zucchini sticks from the garden w/ garlic, Parm, ground red chili + fennel breadcrumbs w/ tomato basil sauce dipper (made with sun-dried tomato paste); grilled chicken & grapes w/ aged balsamic, garlic, worcestershire, soy, EVOO, black pepper, & red seedless grapes; corn w/ garlic, butter, parsley + Parm; yellow watermelon; lemon meringue pie (thank you, Maria!); and cottage pudding w/ warm lemon sauce (thank you again, Maria).
But Elsa’s lessons don’t stop at the kitchen. Rachael shared more of her mom’s wisdom, saying, “Work harder than everyone else and never complain about it.” It’s advice that’s helped Rachael push through tough times and stay focused on what matters most. And when life gets overwhelming, Elsa reminds her daughter to always choose laughter over tears. “Laughing feels better than crying,” Rachael said.
What’s Next for Rachael Ray?
Even with all her success, Rachael admits that she doesn’t have a grand plan for the future. “I get asked all the time what my plan was,” she explained. “How did I map this all out? The truth is, I never planned any of this. I don’t plan too far ahead. I just focus on what’s in front of me right now.”
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For Rachael, that means promoting her new book, Rachael Ray: 50 Memories and Meals From a Sweet and Savory Life, which hits shelves on October 15. It also means continuing her 14th season of her daytime show and returning to the Food Network for more episodes of 30 Minute Meals. And, of course, she’s always working on new ways to bring her food to fans, whether it’s through Uber Eats or her grocery store line.
View this post on InstagramJohn and I make sense. We don’t care when we eat, we care that we eat together. And we’ve been together, this John and this Rachael, every day since the day we met. And that’s something. It’s a lot. And some days, it’s everything. I love you, @johnmcusimano. In Spinal Tap lingo, you turn me up to 11. 💛 Happy Anniversary
Letting Fans Take the Wheel
Rachael’s approach to her career is simple: let the fans decide. “I just focus on making great products for our customers,” she said. “At the end of the day, they’re the ones who are really in charge. They’ll tell me what they like and what they don’t, and we’ll adjust based on their feedback.” It’s a strategy that’s worked wonders for Rachael, and she’s grateful for the support of her fans. “They’re the ones writing the plan, and so far, my life has turned out better than I ever imagined,” she concluded.
Reporting by Diana Cooper
