It’s not every day you hear a story about a dinner party gone hilariously wrong, especially when it involves one of the greatest singers of our time. Rachael Ray, the beloved celebrity chef, shared a memorable tale about a dinner she hosted for her dear friend Tony Bennett. In a clip from her series Rachael Ray in Tuscany, posted on Instagram on September 2, she recounts the event with humor and heartfelt emotion.
A Dinner Party That Will Never Be Forgotten
Now, let’s dive into this unforgettable evening. Rachael, who’s no stranger to cooking up a storm, was on top of her game when Tony Bennett came over for dinner. But as it turns out, her meticulous attention to detail may have led to an unexpected twist. “The first time he came to my house, Tony Bennett ate two portions of Osso Bucco, and I almost killed him,” she joked in the video. But what really happened?
Setting the Scene for a Memorable Evening
Rachael, who was 56 at the time, set the stage for a perfect dinner. “I had polished the floors in the kitchen because, well, Tony Benedetto, that’s his full last name, Tony Bennett’s coming to dinner. I have to make sure the floors are perfect, and the house is clean, and everything is just amazing,” she explained. Her excitement was palpable, but little did she know her efforts might lead to an unexpected turn of events. “I might have gone a little overboard with the floors,” she admitted.
Read also:Jenna Bush Hagers Daughters Have A Lot To Say About The Secret Service And More
The Incident That Left Everyone Speechless
As Rachael recounted, “When I pulled out the chair for Tony to sit down for his starter snacks and aperitivo, the chair slid out from under him, and he hit his head on the marble counter behind him.” The room went silent as Tony fell to the floor, and Rachael’s heart sank. “I thought I killed Tony Bennett. I thought I killed him, literally,” she recalled with a mix of laughter and disbelief. Thankfully, Tony’s wife, Susan Crow, was quick to reassure her. “His wife, Susan, she says to me, ‘Rachael he’s fine.’ He’ll pop back up, just let him be,” she said.
Recovering and Enjoying the Evening
And sure enough, Tony was perfectly fine. In fact, he went on to enjoy the entire dinner, indulging in double portions of everything. “He made it all through dinner, had double portions of everything, was such a gentleman,” Rachael said, her voice filled with emotion. “I miss my friend so much. The most beautiful man maybe ever, and he was the biggest eater of Osso Bucco in my house.”
A Friendship That Transcended Generations
Rachael’s friendship with Tony Bennett was one that touched many hearts. After his passing on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96 due to Alzheimer’s disease, she paid tribute to him on Instagram. “My friend passed away today,” she wrote. “Tony Bennett made life rich, romantic, funny and he always gave us the enthusiasm to live a long time — he showed us how important every moment is. … I’m so sad, but so grateful to have known him and to have fed him. He had a great appetite for food and life.”
A Story That Fans Won’t Forget
For fans of Rachael’s show, this dinner party story may sound familiar. She’s shared it before during a past episode of her talk show. “When Tony’s coming over for supper, I get a little nervous,” she explained. “I super clean. I don’t just vacuum, I freakishly clean every glass in the house of every shape and size. And this particular day, my hardwood floors, I was so proud, I polished — a lot. I might’ve used a little too much of the floor wax.”
Even Tony himself couldn’t help but compliment Rachael during his appearance on her show. “You know, I’ve met a lot of people, a lot of entertainers in showbusiness, and you’re one of the finest artists that I’ve ever met. You’re so friendly,” he said.
/rachael-ray-1-2000-71ab28fc01394b96b8c0dfbb29ad63ce.jpg)
