What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that although this foodie show is
targeted at adults, kids who like to cook will pick up some
basic instruction and exposure to different foods. Because the
show is about preparing, cooking, and serving a meal within a
short time span, the meals are relatively simple and easy
(another kid-appeal factor). Perky hostess Rachael Ray is
swiftly developing a brand awareness to rival Martha Stewart's;
once they're familiar with Ray, your kids will see her
everywhere -- cookbooks, magazines, even on the back of a box
of crackers. She's very lively, chatting with viewers
(sometimes about preparing a great "date night" meal or how to
get through to the person you love through the kitchen) but not
always touching on the health aspects of meal preparation.
Families can talk about different meal ingredients and their origins throughout the world. Which ones are healthy? Which should you avoid? Parents should also address kitchen safety -- using sharp instruments, cooking on a stove top, using an oven, etc. If kids are interested in cooking, this is a great opportunity to whip something up together from start (meal planning) to finish (chowing down).
Common Sense Media Review
America has a new sweetheart, and her name is Rachael Ray.
Ray is hard to escape these days -- from TV to magazines to
branded food items -- and it all started with this Food Network
program (which started in 2001).
With 30 MINUTE MEALS, Ray proved herself to be the Martha Stewart for busy adults who want good food but have little time or energy to cook. Her spin is to take traditional dishes and re-invent them, which can be a hit-or-miss concept for kids. But her tendency to act like a big kid in the kitchen -- with lots of exclamations of "yum-o" or "this is awesome!" -- has made her popular among school-aged kids interested in cooking. Plus, she likes working with kids and occasionally includes them in the show.
Although Ray sometimes says things like "And if you screw up..." or "Make this on date night and watch out," overall her vocabulary is relatively tame. Her energy level is contagious to kids, and her basic instructions may encourage younger viewers to want to help in the kitchen and/or eat more adventuresome meals.
She's been called a "bobble head" by famed chef and critic Anthony Bourdain, and, frankly, Ray's perky style of performing while teaching cooking is a big turn-off to many. She also has her own vocabulary, which kids may need translated: "EVOO" (extra virgin olive oil), "figure-friendly food," "sammy" (sandwich), "stoup" (soup/stew), and others.
Yes, Ray may be annoyingly perky and too conspicuous as a brand to win skeptical parents over, but she clearly enjoys what she does and may give kids some fun insight into cooking. Who knows? You might get a home-cooked meal to boot.
If your kids want more information on cooking, Ray has a cookbook for kids and parents to use together called 30 Minute Meals With Rachael Ray for Kids. Older kids and teens interested in learning more about health, food, and politics may want to check out Chew on This .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
