Rachael Ray’s passion for cooking is what brought her together with her husband, John Cusimano. The story of how they first met is a compelling example of how food can bring people together, which eventually led to a unique and interesting engagement that led to a lifelong partnership.
While Ray and Cusimano’s marriage had some rocky patches owing to problems publicized in tabloids, they eventually overcame them and remained solid partners in both life and profession.
Ray never imagined himself as famous after graduating from college and working as a sweets manager at Macy’s Marketplace in New York. Before going to Albany, she quit her job to work as a chef and buyer at a gourmet store.
When a nearby TV station noticed her, she was still working at a company in Albany. Ray featured culinary segments, which eventually evolved into “30 Minute Meals.”
Ray has published over a dozen best-selling cookbooks and hosted television series such as “Rachael Ray,” “Inside Dish with Rachael Ray,” “$40 a Day,” and “Worst Chefs in America” since then.
Ray worked from home throughout the epidemic, which provided viewers with a better understanding of who her spouse is. He’s stepped up to assist his wife by acting as videographer, grillmaster, and mixologist.
Cusimano is a lawyer and musician by day. He was an entertainment lawyer in New York until he met Ray, who became his sole client.
Ray says that marrying an entertainment lawyer was the best decision she’s ever made since it saved her a lot of money. Cusimano specializes in entertainment licensing, something Ray has needed throughout the years.
While he is not practicing law, Cusimano may be seen performing with his band, The Cringe. They used to tour around North America and the United Kingdom before the COVID-19 epidemic.
Ray and Cusimano first met at a birthday party for a mutual friend, to which they were both invited. Their buddy had been attempting to set them up for about a year, but they had never met until that evening.
Cusimano said that when they met for the first time, they were surrounded by tall people because they both had a tall friend in common. He stated: “She invited all of her ex-boyfriends and friends, all of whom were tall. And, as you can see, we’re not particularly tall. So I like to believe we met among a sea of knees.”
Ray admitted that they had communicated every day since that night. She had imagined she would never marry, but she welcomed the opportunity because it was with someone she loved.
They partied together till four a.m. the night of their friend’s celebration. That night was their very first date and the first of many.
Cusimano proposed to Ray after they’d been dating for six years. That wasn’t your typical engagement tale, and it’s something they still chuckle about.
The couple’s residence was being built and would not be ready for the holidays with their relatives. Cusimano’s remedy for Ray’s never-ending sobbing was to hurl a ring at her head.
He described the event, saying that in order to get Ray to stop weeping, he tossed a ring in a blue Tiffany box at her head. Ray first mistook it for a keychain for her apartment until she learned it wasn’t.
Ray shouted when he realized it was an engagement diamond, and while Cusimano thought he said something lovely, he and Ray can’t recall what he said. Ray, on the other hand, had only one thing to say: “Call my mother and tell her.”
Ray never questioned Cusimano about marriage during their relationship. She reasoned that because they’d been together for so long without discussing marriage, it would never happen.
