"yum-o" news and stories

Photo: Sarah LeTrent

There was nothing Yum-O about the cockroach that dropped in on Rachael Ray's lunch earlier this week.

The Food Network star was serving up some "sizzling soft tacos" to a group of sixth graders at New York City's Public School 89 when the uninvited guest crashed the party. A reporter for the New York Daily News noticed the six-legged bug scrambling across the table, and then watched as Charlie Dougiello, Ray's publicist, swatted the vermin away.

Ray, who was at the school to introduce her new healthy lunch menu, told the Daily News that she missed the whole thing. "I did not see that. It's unfortunate if there was [a bug]. I think that these schools strive to be the best across the board; I'm sure that includes cleanliness."

Okay. I'm all for rabid celebrity fanaticism, and I enjoy the occasional portrait tattoo. But seriously?

Yep, a Rachael Ray extremist showed up at Borders Books in Syosset, New York for Monday's signing of Ray's new Yum-O: The Family Cookbook and proudly showed the chef her moderately-to-completely terrifying ink.

I can't help but wonder at what point in Rachael Ray's career trajectory this chick decided to indelibly inscribe her devotion. 'Cause honestly, if this is from 2002's $40-A-Day Ray, I can kinda get behind it, 'cause we all need a gentle a reminder to eat on a budget (even internationally!).

There are several "Rachael Rayisms" (I think she coined the term herself), and we all have our favorite. Or should I say our least favorite of all the ones we don't like.

Mine used to be "EVOO," but that has become such a part of the everyday food lexicon that I consider it a real food term now and not just something that Ray says (in fact, I believe the Oxford Dictionary just added it?). I'm gonna go with "Delish," because it embodies everything that's silly about the worst cooking shows and just overall lameness. Plus she says it in that new Christmas Dunkin' Donuts commercial and it drives me nuts. Other phrases she uses: "You guys!," "Parmigiano Reggiano," "awesome," and the classic "Yum-O."

To get you in the mood, after the jump, 2 minutes and 46 seconds of Rachael Ray saying "mmmmmmm."

I know, I know, you sit there in your comfy chair watching Rachael Ray make "delish" meals every day, and you think to yourself, "gee, she'd really look better in a V-neck sweater."

Well, now you can dress her yourself! The folks at Cartoon Doll Emporium have created a virtual doll of the queen of the 30 minute meal. You can choose her top, her pants, her shoes, even what type of food she's carrying in her hand. There aren't that many food choices yet, but maybe they'll add some EVOO soon.

Some of you will probably like her the way she appears before you add any clothes.

[via EndlessSimmer.com]

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