The Double Life Of Rachael Ray

May 2024 · 2 minute read

It seemed like the oven mitts came completely off when Rachael Ray's one-time ratings competitor, Martha Stewart, told Nightline in 2009, that Ray had "professed that she could — cannot bake." Stewart even shaded one of Ray's cookbooks as "a re-edit of a lot of her old recipes." But when asked for comment, Ray was nothing but gracious, describing Stewart's "skill set" as "far beyond mine." She even confessed that "when it comes to producing a beautiful, perfect, high quality meal. I'd rather eat Martha's than mine, too."

Stewart even backtracked her catty commentary days later on her show (via ABC News), saying "there are no bad feelings" between her and Ray. "I applaud Rachel for her enthusiastic approach to cooking," Stewart added. So, that was much ado about nothing, huh? But wait, there's a history here.

In 2006, TMZ reported that not only had Ray allegedly booted some of Stewarts staffers out of her audience, she also shanked Stewart in the apron by airing a pre-taped episode with guest Barry Manilow on the same day Stewart had Manilow live on her show. Stewart even alleged in her monologue that Ray intentionally created the double-booking, but Ray's rep told TMZ, "We wanted to lead our sweeps with the best show we had in the can, and that was Barry Manilow."

In other words: Stewart came for Ray right out in the open, but Ray seemingly lead a double life, dealing her dirt in the shadows.  

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