Just last week, I was semi-defending Rachael Ray against the charges of being Rachael Ray. This week, a press release inadvertently caused me to check out her magazine-cum-Web site Every Day With Rachael Ray.
It has an extensive section called "Mapped Out," which features the "tastiest spots" in 40 states and 100-plus cities -- including such thriving metropolises as Bisbee, Oskaloosa and Berea (populations approximately 6,000, 10,000 and 9,500, respectively). Just try naming the states they're in.*
I bring all this up because there's one part of the country Ray has completely glossed over, and I don't mean Alaska. Just look at this map. Right in the middle, it's as bare as a baby's bottom.
Ray has
hit up Missouri but decided to focus on Springfield and a half-dozen
places in St. Louis. The closest restaurant to this metro is Chocolate Cafe in St. Joseph.
Perhaps Ray is just waiting to make Kansas City a featured destination. And when
she does come to town, she should focus on more than just barbecue, because
Kansas City is starting to get respect for all sorts of food. Justus Drugstore was in The New York Times, and two weeks ago the Pittsburgh Post Gazette featured an editorial "Why are we off the culinary map," lamenting Pittsburgh's sad food reputation but pumping up Kansas City's:
"Surveying other small cities that have gained major reputations in theIf Ray never comes to Kansas City, it's her loss, not ours or our several James Beard nominated chefs.past few years, such as Durham, N.C., and Kansas City, Mo., it's easy
to imagine that all Pittsburgh needs is a little more external
validation -- a James Beard award or two, a Zagat guide to call our own."
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What the Hell, has Rachael Ray forgotten what a great meal she had at Kutcharitaville Cafe in December? Hell she ate two of those Goody Goody Cheese Burgers and might near polished off a whole key lime pie. Kutchie Pelaez gave her a free T-shirt and put her photo up on his wall of fame. For her not to mention Kutcharitaville, he should have put her photo on his wall of shame. But he is too good a guy to do that....Christie
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Joannah
http://myscones.com
Hey Rach spokesperson, I'm looking forward to that. When I was doing research though I tried to find if Ray had ever done a 40 dollars a day in KC and couldn't find one. Is there one?
Holy buttermilk, she has people to trawl local food blogs and respond to criticism. Not that Fat City isn't awesome, but come on...
I sometimes wish for Rachel Ray to be smited off my TV, but the wish is never granted. Bleh.
Hold tight Kansas Citians -- there's been plenty of KC and Midwest coverage in Every Day with Rachael Ray (in fact, there's a story on Lawrence in the April issue and there was a KC BBQ story in October).
I'm KC native and am working on RachaelRaymag.com -- we just haven't updated that travel map in ages since we're working on a huge re-launch. I'll be sure KC gets the love it deserves once the new site is done. Trust me.
Until then, enjoy this recipe.
I've been reading your blog for awhile now. Enjoy it. I think you guys would get a laugh out of FoodNetworkHumor.com --- they poke fun at Rachael Ray and the rest of the Food Network "chefs."
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