Rachael Ray had big plans for the quarantine break at her home in upstate New York. She envisioned 鈥渁 Renaissance time," rereading the classics, resuming her Danish lessons and studying Italian.
鈥淚 was going to get more serious about my painting. I had all these lofty goals ... and none of that鈥檚 happening," the popular daytime talk show host told The Associated Press in a phone interview.
鈥淲e have never worked this hard in our entire lives," said Ray, who is taping 鈥�#STAYHOME With Rachael鈥� two days a week from her home.
Her husband, John Cusimano, is now the cameraman, producer, cocktail maker and musical guest. Their beloved pit bull Isaboo accounts for the entire studio audience, she jokes.
She wears sweats and no makeup, cooking low-budget meals based around pantry staples like chickpeas and pasta, offering a refreshing peek into her kitchen 鈥� she misplaces the garlic sometimes 鈥� and a comforting smile.
鈥淭his is a weird time. I can't say there's a silver lining ... but there are found moments every day," she said at the start of the first at home show.
She recently announced her organizations will donate $4 million to several charities including food banks and relief funds for laid off restaurant workers, saying she wanted to 鈥渉elp people more than just, 鈥榟ey, here鈥檚 three things you can do with canned tuna'."
Half the money will go to animal rescue. The animal lover says 鈥渁 lot of the shelters can鈥檛 afford to keep going, there鈥檚 no workers. Animals are in crisis too."
鈥淭he more you earn in life, the more you owe in service and the more you owe to your community," said a passionate Ray. 鈥淚t is our absolute responsibility to take care of each other."
That鈥檚 the answer she gives when asked why she鈥檚 donating so much 鈥� and also she鈥檚 afraid of her mother.
No, she鈥檚 not afraid that she might contract the virus, she's 鈥渁bsolutely scared to death" of the 85-year-old tough Sicilian who lives across the street.
鈥淚鈥檓 scared because she鈥檚 tough," Ray said. 鈥淪he wants a daily update of what you're doing to help the world. In detail."
Ray grew up cleaning shrimp and helping out in her mother's restaurant kitchen. They spent holidays alongside police and firefighters feeding hungry families. Their family celebrated the following day.
鈥淓very holiday was like that. You had to be of service."
In rare down moments, Ray catches up with friends by phone and cooks Moroccan couscous in bone stock for her dog, garnishing it with carrot tops, mint and parsley. Her husband plays a mini banjo concert for Isaboo a few times a day.
鈥淚t feels so good to get on the phone and kibitz and share," she said. 鈥淚 just like how much we鈥檙e using the old fashion telephone."
Kelli Kennedy, The Associated Press
