Rachael Ray files trademark for new pizza-related business venture despite fans’ concerns for her health

RACHAEL Ray has filed trademarks for a new pizza-related business venture despite fans expressing concern for the chef’s health. 

Rachael, 56, currently hosts Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes and Rachael Ray in Tuscany on FYI, as well as the podcast I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead. 

The chef has sparked concern among fans in recent months after she slurred her words in cooking videos and hinted at medical issues on her podcast. 

But despite the fears, Rachael isn’t slowing down any time soon. 

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal Rachael is expanding her cooking empire by launching a new pizza-related business. 

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Rachael filed a trademark under her name on October 4, 2024, for “egg poaches and pizza peels.” 

A second trademark filed on October 4, 2024, under Rachael’s name covers “non-electric pizza cutters.”

Both trademarks remain pending. 

Rachael isn’t a stranger to selling kitchen tools, as items are available for purchase on her website, including pans, mixing bowls, cutting boards, bakeware, spatulas, and more necessities when cooking. 

HEALTH WORRIES

Expanding her business comes as fans have expressed concern for the chef. 

In a clip for Rachael Ray in Tuscany, she appeared to be slurring her speech during the cooking show.

"Omg is she ok? What happened?" one fan reacted to the Instagram video.

Another wrote, "This is concerning. Something is not right."

A third commented, "I love you but are you ok? I'm seriously concerned."

Rachael has not addressed the concerns and instead filtered the comments on her videos.

She continues to post cooking videos from episodes to her Instagram page. 

Rachael brushed off fears for her health and returned to social media with a brand new recipe later that month.

She shared the instructions for making her shrimp and chorizo paella on Instagram.

"Hope you are doing okay," one person commented under Rachael's post. 

PODCAST CONFESSIONS

The first episode of Rachael’s podcast, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, dropped on Tuesday, October 2.

Rachael opened up about her love of being a homemaker while living with her husband, John Cusimano, in their Lake Luzerne, New York home. 

“I am a homemaker. I love chores, I love being in the kitchen… I really like chores,” she told her guest.

“What people consider physical work… I like making dinners, planning dinners, making lists.”

Rachael then went on to share her love of “physical labor,” which she admitted has been on pause.

“I like to help carry in the wood," she said. "I had a couple of bad falls in the last couple of weeks so I haven’t been doing that in a while. 

On the November 12 episode, Rachael revealed why she wakes up at 4 o'clock in the morning.

"I've gotten worse as I've gotten older, because I feel like time might be shorter, and I want my time to be more, every minute of it," she told her guest. 

In the November 19 episode, she opened up about how her dogs help her through her difficult days.  

She said, "It just brings you a ray of life. What it brings to a human, that unconditional love, it really gets you through dark days.

“For me, if I have the worst day, or sick as a dog, the things that make me feel best, go home, climb into bed with a blanket with my dog!”

The U.S. Sun even reported Rachael filed for her husband to be her power of attorney decades before worry began for the chef. 

The document reads, “The powers you grant below continue to be effective should you become disabled or incompetent.

“Caution: This is an important document. It gives the person whom you designate (your agent) broad powers to handle your property during your lifetime, which may include powers to mortgage, sell, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property without advance notice to you or approval by you. 

“These powers will continue to exist even after you become disabled or incompetent.”

The document continued, “This document does not authorize anyone to make medical or other health care decisions. You may execute a health care proxy to do this.”

Rachael appointed her power of attorney to be John. 

Rachael only gave John authority for “real estate transactions.”

Rachael and John signed off on the document on July 19, 2005, just weeks before their September 24, 2005 wedding. 

The document was officially recorded with the court on December 8, 2005. 

ATTORNEY SPEAKS OUT

Beverly Hills attorney Adam Michael Sacks explained a power of attorney could be granted for certain reasons, including if the requesting party has health issues. 

"It is something that would be done if you are sick,” Mr. Sacks told The U.S. Sun. “The power of attorney can make certain decisions. There are certain things you have to sign if you own a house that needs to be sold and you’re, for example, in a coma. With power of attorney, it lets that person sign for you. 

“Attorney means someone who acts for you. If I am your attorney, I can go to court and act for you. He would make the decision if she’s unable to.”

The Beverly Hills Attorney continued, “It’s not common. One of the reasons is when you know you have a problem, like you’re sick or getting older.

"It has to be someone you completely trust, like a spouse. You would have them make decisions as though it were you."

Outside of health reasons, Mr. Sacks said power of attorney could be for financial help.

He explained her potential reasoning, "I’m a chef, I can't deal with money, I trust my husband or lawyer, he can take care of it.”

RACHAEL'S CAREER

Rachael appeared on ABC’s Rachael Ray Show from 2006 to 2023. 

Rachael left the show to launch her own production company, Free Food Studios. 

She told Deadline at the time, “My passions have evolved from the talk show format production and syndication model to a platform unencumbered by the traditional rules of distribution.

“That is why I am looking forward to putting all my energies into my recently announced production arm, Free Food Studios."

She runs the nonprofit organization Yum-o!, which “empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cook through three main initiatives: Cook, Feed and Fund.”

Rachael currently has two shows on FYI network, Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes and Rachael Ray in Tuscany. 

She also has her podcast, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, where she is joined by a guest each week.