Just when you thought Rachael Ray could not possibly take on another job the peppy celebrity chef turned talk show host just added more to her plate.
Come January you can get double helpings of Ray on the Food Network in the form of a new primetime series called “Rachael’s Vacation,” which follows the chatty chef as she explores, cities, countries, food, and lifestyles around the world. The new series will air in addition to Ray’s daytime show “30 Minute Meals.”
The 39-year-old aproned Energizer bunny signed a two-year deal for her new series, and according to Food Network insiders, she will also be appearing in 60 new episodes of “30 Minute Meals” during 2008.
Ray has been with the popular all-food network since 2001 and recently segued into the world of daytime talk with her solo chatfest “Rachael Ray.”
But, Ray’s mug is not the only familiar face you’ll be seeing on the Food Network next year.
“Naked Chef” fans rejoice—-Jamie Oliver is coming back to TV. The popular British celebrity chef will return to the Food Network in January to debut his new series called “Jamie At Home.”
According to show producers, the half-hour series follows Oliver around his home, as he prepares delicious meals from produce that has been grown in his country garden.
You can get a “sneak peek” of Oliver’s new show on Sunday, January 6th at 10pm ET/PT. The series premiere airs after the cheeky cook makes an appearance on “Iron Chef America,” where he will battle Iron Chef Mario Batali. (Set your TiVos.) Oliver’s new program then moves to its regular timeslot on Saturday, January 12 at 9:30a.m. ET/PT, where it joins Food Network’s “In the Kitchen” daytime line-up.
Hmm… we may now know why “Emeril Live” got the boot from the Food Network after being on the air for more than a decade. It took me a while, but I enjoy Jamie Oliver. How can you not like a guy who named one of his daughters after two of his favorite ingredients-—Poppy(seed) Honey?