Rachael Ray, who has been battling trouble with her vocal cords since last year, had surgery to correct the problem last week, her rep tells People exclusively.

“After several months of vocal therapy and on the advice of her doctors, Rachael decided to have a benign cyst removed from her vocal cord,” says Charlie Dougiello. “According to Rachael’s doctors the minor, non-invasive procedure was a success and she is already resting at home.”

The TV chef and talk show host, who is known for being upbeat and outspoken, had previously scheduled surgery to remove the cyst and then cancelled the procedure and instead began intensive vocal therapy.

Now, “the hardest part for Rachael is going to be giving her voice a rest for the next week or so,” says her rep.

Source, Bauer-Griffin

It won’t be a quiet holiday season for Rachael Ray after all. The Emmy winning talk show host, known her for gift of gab, will not have surgery on her vocal cords this week as had been scheduled

“During the course of normal pre-op care, Rachael started an intensive new vocal therapy and it is now the opinion of her doctor that surgery may not be necessary,” Charlie Dougiello, a spokesman for Ray, said.

Last month, Ray said that she planned to carry a pencil and paper around to communicate with husband John Cusimano after undergoing surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cord.

Now there’s no need for the TV chef to buy extra pencils – or curtail her chattiness.

“Rachael is very grateful that it won’t be a silent Christmas and thanks everyone for their prayers and well wishes,” adds Dougiello.

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Bosses on Rachael Ray’s show are facing legal action from a former employee - who claims he was forced out of his job because he suffered from an eating disorder.

Aaron Ferguson - who suffers from anorexia - has filed papers at Manhattan’s Supreme Court accusing bosses on Ray’s self-titled show of exhibiting “hostile behavior” and making “vile” comments about him.

Ferguson started working for the CBS production company in July 2007 and claims he was forced to quit because of his supervisors’ behavior.

His lawyer, William H. Kaiser, says, “The things that were said in front of my client were hurtful, and once they knew he had a problem with it they should have stopped.”

Three employees of the Rachael Ray show have been named in the suit, although the star herself is not stated as a defendant.

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WENN

An online advertisement for Dunkin’ Donuts featuring US television personality Rachael Ray has been shelved amid claims she was wearing a “terrorist” scarf. Some bloggers claimed Ray was wearing a keffiyeh - a traditional Arab headdress for men. Ray said it was simply a black-and-white scarf featuring a Paisley print, but Dunkin’ Donuts nonetheless pulled the ads from circulation following the furore, the coffee and fast food company confirmed today.

What the crap!  What has the world come to!?  It’s a freakin scarf!

While Gwyneth Paltrow and Helena Christensen were honored at the Food Bank for New York City Annual Can Do Awards Dinner, TV personality Rachael Ray showed us that she can do more than cook - she can bust out of a dress! Rachel arrived in the very classic trench coat, before revealing the unexpected plunge! For Ray’s legions of passionately devoted fans, tonight there was is even more of her to love, and husband John Cusimano, seemed happy to share.

What do you think?  Hit or Miss?  Hot or Mess?

Fame

American celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain has hit out at rival Rachael Ray for endorsing a doughnut firm. No Reservations presenter Bourdain is outraged Ray has become the new face of Dunkin’ Donuts, likening the deal to selling hard drugs to kids.

He fumes, “She’s hugely influential, particularly with children. And she’s endorsing Dunkin’ Donuts. It’s like endorsing crack for kids. I’m not a very ethical guy (and) I don’t have a lot of principles, but, somehow, this seems to me over the line. Juvenile diabetes has exploded, half of Americans don’t have necks, and she’s up there saying, ‘Eat some f—ing Dunkin’ Donuts. You look great in that swimsuit - eat another doughnut! That’s evil.”

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Rachel Ray was attacked by a dog in Union Square Park Saturday while bravely defending her pit-bull mix, Isaboo. According to the TV host’s rep, “This dog came up - there was no owner in sight - and became aggressive. Rachael and some others shooed it away, but it came back and attacked Isaboo. Other dogs were involved, and Rachael jumped in and was bit by one of the dogs on the leg. A nurse was in the park and checked her out. She’s fine.”

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