Rachael Ray Opens Up About Dislike for New York
Rachael Ray, the well-known former Food Network star, calls New York home but admits that she’s not particularly fond of the city itself. While her husband, John Cusimano, enjoys the fast pace of urban life, Ray prefers the tranquility of their Tuscan villa.
“My husband loves being in New York,” she shared in a recent interview. “And I tell him, ‘Hey, go as long as you want, stay as long as you want.’ I come to the city for work, but honestly, I really like being in Italy.”
In her words, it’s all about the quiet. “The dog is much happier there. She hates New York. Bella isn’t a New Yorker at all. So, I spend as much time as possible with her in Italy.” Ray describes her property overseas as having a pool and plenty of land, calling it extremely peaceful with fresh air and vast gardens filled with olive trees and vineyards. It’s a lifestyle she relishes.
Anniversary Celebrations in Italy
Ray recently marked her 20th wedding anniversary with Cusimano in Italy, visiting cherished restaurants in Florence and Rome. Reflecting on their special moments, she stated, “We moved between the two cities comfortably. The weather has been really cold this year. We typically host parties for 60 to 100 people, but this year, it was just the two of us for two nights in each city.”
Back in 2021, Ray indicated her excitement about acquiring a home in Tuscany, something she had long desired. “I’m writing this just before heading to Italy for the first time in three years,” she noted. “I missed it so much. Both my family and John’s have roots there, and it feels like home.”
From ‘War Zone’ to a Dream Home
When they bought their land, Cusimano humorously referred to it as a “war zone” due to its lack of plumbing or electricity. Despite this, Ray was immediately drawn to the surrounding beauty. “I fell in love with the fields and the scenery,” she recalled, thinking about how to build their dream space.
She describes the air in Tuscany as unique, infused with the aroma of fertile land. “It’s sweet and filled with the scent of agriculture,” she explained. “When I first landed there 20 years ago, I could feel the difference immediately.” It’s clear that Tuscany holds a special place in her heart.
New Ventures in Italian Cuisine
In 2022, Ray starred in a limited reality series centered on her renovation journey in Italy, and last year, she started working on a new show titled “Rachael Ray in Tuscany,” which focuses on Italian culinary traditions.
Despite her love for Italy, Ray hasn’t shied away from sharing some of her unsettling experiences in New York City. She once recounted a time when she was held at gunpoint in Queens, emphasizing how loud her scream was—maybe even audible across state lines, she joked. “I think I scared him more than he scared me,” she added, reflecting on the confrontation.
Even after a frightening encounter with a robber, Ray’s thoughts linger on her surroundings. “There were cockroaches in my apartment, but I stayed because I was worried about the dog,” she admitted, hinting at the struggles of city living that she does not miss at all.
