30 minute meals, a Food Network show run by host Rachel Ray is one of the best cooking shows in America. Ray made her debut in 2001 on Food network. Her specialty lies in preparing meals within 30 minutes. The show is recorded live to tape with all the preparation done in real time.

The episode always begins with a greeting by Ray and then she informs her viewers about the making of a delicious and healthy meal from start to finish in 30 minutes. She begins by removing the ingredients from the pantry and the refrigerator, on to the stove and served on the table in 30 minutes flat. The 30 minute meals show focuses on making quick, healthy and nutritious food with spending minimum time in the kitchen. She always makes a salad or uses greens and vegetables to add to the nutritive value of her dishes.

One of her trademarks is the art of recreating traditional dishes. She has made her versions of macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, clam chowder and other traditionally slow cooked recipes. She gives us tips to speed up the process and also enhance the flavor of the items by using fresh herbs, garlic, beef and chicken stocks. Her show also initiated her to write her own cookbooks. She published her first cookbook in making 30 minute meals in the year 1998. Her 30 minute meals: Comfort Foods book was very successful and later she went on to write Veggie Meals, Cooking Around The Clock, Get Togethers, and A Year Of Deliciously Different Dinners.

Rachel used a santoku knife during her earlier days and this knife became a part of every household kitchen. She presently uses Furi Gusto knife that she has designed herself and the popular oval pan by Anolon Company. She uses repetitive and catchy catchphrases like "Oh! My Gravy!", De-lish", E.V.O.O (extra virgin olive oil) etc.

According to Forbes magazine in 2006 Rachel Ray makes about $6 million from her books and her television shows. 30 minute meals show won her an Emmy award for the Best Daytime Service show in the year 2006. She was also nominated in 2007 for Outstanding Talk Show Host.