By Victoria Hurley-Schubert and Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writers
It was not a 30 minute wait to meet the queen of 30 minute meals this week at Barnes & Noble as Rachael Ray made the first stop on her “Book of Burger” book tour in the Princeton area.
The day after the book’s release, hundreds of die-hard fans of all ages waited way more than 30 minutes hours to meet their culinary idol, who has several Food Network shows, a national daytime talk show, multiple cookbooks, a lifestyle magazine, kitchen products and two nonprofits in her media empire.
Corinne Murphy from East Brunswick was the first person in line at the West Windsor store to meet Ms. Ray and have her book signed.
”I came last time Rachael was here for a book signing, and when I heard there was another signing Debbie allowed me to send an email to Rachael’s publicist to see if I could be first in line to speak with her or take a picture.” said Ms. Murphy. “I also put in the email that I was 80 years old because I thought that might help me out,” she said.
”I was so excited when I got an email back saying I could be first in line,” Ms. Murphy said. “I love her. I’ve been a fan for a long, long time. She’s so sweet. All her meals are good and her food is delicious.”
The $24.95, 321-page burger tome features more than 200 recipes for burgers, sliders, sloppy joes, sides and sauces from Ms. Ray and her celebrity friends.
”It’s not just burgers, it’s burgers and burger buddies,” said Ms. Ray. “I’ve been a little burger obsessed for quite a few years now. I’ve proclaimed several times I am the queen of burgers. I like what burgers say to people. They say a lot of what my brand mission is: accessibility, affordability, everyone is included, this is something for everyone and you’re going to have fun.”
Eight-year-old Kileigh and her parents, Colleen and Rick Jones from Belford, were waiting since mid afternoon to meet Ms. Ray after picking up Kileigh early from school.
”She is a foodie. She’s obsessed with Rachael Ray and she loves to cook,” said Mrs. Jones, who traveled more than an hour so her daughter could meet her favorite star for the second time. “Her goal is to own her own show (like Ms. Ray).”
The second grader presented Ms. Ray with a balloon hamburger, which Ms. Ray made a big deal about receiving during her signing, posing for pictures with the girl for the press.
”Since I was 4 years old I wanted to be a chef and I’ve been cooking for a long time and really enjoy it,” said Lauren Coppins, an 11-year-old fan from Hopewell. “I think Rachael is really funny and high energy and I want to be like her when I grow up.”
Fans came from all over for autographs.
”I came here for a Fathers Day present and saw that there was a book signing, so I said what the heck I’ll stay here and have her sign her burger book,” said Mary Anna Geier from Cranbury. “I think Rachael has a great personality and I’m always looking for new burger ideas.”
All of the fans had their own reasons for loving the chef, who hails from the Adirondack region of New York.
”I think she is great because she makes things affordable,” said Beverly Cole from East Windsor. “Other people say you need this specific spice, but Rachael gives you alternatives.”
Keeping her cooking easy and accessible is key to Ms Ray.
”For me, it’s accessibility and keeping everything accessible. Can people do and touch and try anything I’m a part of while keeping it affordable and value oriented,” said Ms. Ray in between meeting fans and signing copies of her new book. “Those are easy things to do because that’s the way I was raised, so it’s easy to live that way.”
”I enjoy watching Rachael’s shows and the meals she makes are simple and quick and I’m all about that,” said Diana Heaphy from Princeton.
This was the first time Ms. Heaphy attended a book signing.
”Everything she does is great, but I love the pasta dishes,” she said. “My family loves pasta and she is always thinking of creative ways to do pasta.”
Ms. Ray’s signature show is called “30 Minute Meals,” and features recipes and meal ideas that can be done in a half an hour.
”30 Minute Meals is always going to be my favorite because that’s what we started with,” she said. She began the 30-minute meal concept when she was working in a gourmet store in New York and offered classes to customers. The classes were such a hit the local TV station picked up on it, which is how Ms. Ray got her break into television.
Ms. Ray is most inspired by her own mother, who managed restaurants in upstate New York.
The crowd, which stretched the length of the MarketFair Mall, was very excited to see Ms. Ray and exploded into applause when she took her seat and posed for photographers. The clicking of cameras was the only sound in the store for several minutes after her arrival.
”It was awesome,” said Maris Fischer from Princeton after getting her book signed. “She was so real and she was apologizing because she was late. She seemed like a friend and not a celebrity.”
Ms. Fischer’s mom accompanied her and shared in her excitement.
”I watch her shows every day,” said Mary Ellen Fischer. “She gives such great tips and makes cooking fun.”

