There was a giant serving of cold shoulder recently when Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray were at the same new restaurant Il Buco Alimentaria & Vineria in New York.
The atmosphere was as cold as ice when they found themselves seated at nearby tables.
Witnesses said Stewart, whose daytime television show was recently canceled, was “noticeably glaring in Ray’s direction throughout her meal.” Meanwhile, Ray, who was seated with Time magazine food writer Josh Ozersky, became visibly uncomfortable — so much so that after having her appetizer, she left with her main course in a doggie bag.
Perhaps Stewart was upset because Ray’s daytime show is moving into her empty studio.
Another witness said: “Martha was staring Rachael down as soon as she walked in with a group of friends. Martha looked disgruntled. You could definitely feel Martha’s heat in that kitchen.”
A third witness said: “They were both there for dinner unbeknownst to the other. Rachael’s daytime show is moving into Martha’s old studio. I’m sure Martha isn’t excited that Rachael is moving into her space. Rachael is fond of Martha; she’s had her on her show before. It was very uncomfortable for Rachael. She and her group had their appetizers, then asked for their entrees to go."
Back in 2009, after Stewart told “Nightline,” “[Rachael] just did a new cookbook, which is just a re-edit of a lot of her older recipes. And that’s not good enough for me . . . Rachael is different. She’s more of an entertainer . . . with her bubbly personality, than she is teacher, like me. That’s not what she’s professing to be.” Stewart later issued a half-apology. Ray’s spokesperson declined to comment, and Stewart’s rep said, “Martha was not aware Rachael was in the restaurant.”
