Fans voice concerns for TV chef over new video

Fans said they were “seriously concerned” for beloved TV chef Rachael Ray as she appeared to slur her words in a new cooking video.

Fans said they were “seriously concerned” for Rachael Ray as she appeared to slur her words in a new cooking video.

The chef, 56, took to Instagram today to pay tribute to the late Tony Bennett by making his favourite dish, ossobuco, which consists of braised veal shanks with polenta and bread.

In the clip, Ray recalled inviting Bennett and his wife, Susan Crow, for dinner, where she “almost killed him.”

“I had polished the floors in the kitchen because, well, Tony Bennett’s coming to dinner,” she continued. “I have to make sure the floors are perfect and the house is clean and everything is just amazing.”

The star said she may have gone “overboard” with her floors because Bennett’s chair “slid out from under” him and he “hit his head” on her marble counter.

Ray shared an anecdote about late crooner Tony Bennett in the new video.

The TV chef appeared to have difficulty speaking.

Despite the scary fall, Bennett was OK and enjoyed “double portions” of the meal she prepared him.

The singer passed away at age 96 on July 21, 2023. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease seven years prior.

Fans, however, weren’t interested in her story and instead questioned whether something was going on with Ray’s health.

“I love you but are you OK? I’m seriously concerned,” one user wrote.

Another one added, “Wait! What’s going on with Rachael Ray?”

“Is she slurring or am I slurring,” asked a third person, while another pointed out, “Rachel is in a bit of trouble?! I hope someone is just as concerned as I am?”

Others, however, defended Ray against the speculation.

“She’s ageing like the rest of us. Maybe she has a medical condition, maybe she is on medication. Regardless, no need to be mean,” wrote one supporter.

“She’s ageing well the normal way no plastic surgery or doing it like every one else … get real people … all people judging about how all this celebrity are plastic surgery breast, lip, but [sic] anything and she’s just like us again the natural way so yes this is a shock to you all … Go Rachael do your thing and thank you for showing us the real you,” added another.

Ray as fans are used to seeing her.

In her latest cooking video.

“My goodness, all you perfect people making the most awful, hateful comments. MOVE ALONG!” said a third.

Page Six has contacted Ray’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Ray has not made any health issues public. However, in 2008, a spokesman for the chef and author shut down reports she was having surgery for a throat cancer scare.

“Rachael is the picture of health. She is having very minor surgery to remove a benign cyst on her vocal cord,” Charlie Dougiello said at the time.

“It’s a common in-and-out procedure that she will have in early December and it will not adversely affect any of her daytime show or Food Network tapings.”

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.