Celebrity chef Rachael Ray has once again raised concerns among fans after reports of unusual behavior at a recent promotional event. The Food Network star appeared at a meet-and-greet and bottle signing event for her Staple Gin brand in New York City over the weekend, where witnesses described her actions as concerning.
The event took place at Broadway Spirits store in Manhattan, where twenty fans gathered after paying $50 each to meet the celebrity chef. Despite the hot 80-degree weather, fans waited outside for Ray, who arrived 20 minutes late to the scheduled event. The gathering was originally planned to run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. but ended up lasting less than an hour.
According to an insider who spoke to the Daily Mail, something seemed off about Ray’s behavior during the event. The source claimed Ray got “oddly close to some people, hugging them in a way that seemed overly familiar as she posed for photos.” The insider compared her actions to how Drew Barrymore interacts with celebrity guests on her talk show, suggesting the behavior was unusually intimate for a public meet-and-greet.”
Event organizers struggled to maintain attendance throughout the signing
The event reportedly had difficulty maintaining momentum, with organizers having to approach random people on the street to inform them about the bottle signing. Around halfway through the scheduled time, there was no line outside the store, according to witnesses. This suggests the event may not have drawn the expected crowd despite Ray’s celebrity status.
However, not everyone viewed the event negatively. A second source defended Ray’s actions, calling the gathering a complete success. This person stated that Ray spent personal time with each guest who had made a reservation, listening to their stories and making genuine human connections. The source emphasized that Ray was being kind and authentic, suggesting her behavior was simply her natural way of interacting with fans.
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It’s all in the prep!
Wash, chop, peel—do whatever you can ahead of time.
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I prep anything that can be prepped. Always have,… pic.twitter.com/wLDiZmlZLW
The event also featured a surprise appearance by Bob Harper, known for his role on “The Biggest Loser,” who stopped by to support his friend. Ray has been promoting her Staple Gin brand since its launch in May 2024, and this New York City event was part of her ongoing promotional efforts.
This latest incident adds to a series of concerning moments that have worried Ray’s fans over the past year. In October, she sparked concern when she appeared to slur her words during a cooking video. Ray later revealed on her podcast “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” that she had suffered a couple of bad falls, though she did not provide additional details about her health condition. The concerns grew again in May when fans noticed similar speech issues in another cooking clip, leading to increased speculation about her wellbeing among her dedicated fanbase.
