The Food Network's queen of 30-minute meals is about to get all philanthropic on us, and she's hoping a guy known for baring all will give her a hand.

Early next year, Rachael Ray plans to launch a charitable wing of her increasingly ubiquitous food and lifestyles empire, which already includes a magazine, cookbooks and numerous television shows (including a daily network talk show).

Ray says the charity, to be called C.A.K.E. (Cooking and Kids Everywhere), will focus on feeding hungry children and educating families about nutrition. It also will provide disadvantaged and aspiring cooks with culinary scholarships.

Her inspiration? England's Jamie Oliver, who in recent years redefined his culinary stardom with massive efforts to overhaul his country's school lunch program and launch a chain of restaurants that give second chances to troubled kids. Oliver is known as the "Naked Chef" because his stripped-down recipes (not his wardrobe).

"I would love to talk to him because I want to learn from him. I am so proud of him," Ray said recently. "I want him to help me figure out how (to replicate his successes here), cause I'd love us to pair up."

Oliver, who recently was in the U.S. to promote his latest book, says he doesn't have time for a partnership, though he'd love to expand his charitable work to this country. But he says he's happy to help Ray.

He also said she's the best person for the job, calling her "the most powerful woman in food in the country right now."

Oliver's advice for Ray: keep it honest and keep it entertaining.

"The reason 'School Dinners' worked is because I've never lied to the public. I've never been with other people's nannies or wives, or snorting cocaine. Or getting caught with a sheep at the edge of a cliff," he said, referring to his campaign to improve school nutrition and the accompanying television show.

Effectively tackling the sorry state of the American diet would require widespread public support, Oliver said, the sort he was able to deliver by creating the television series.

You need to "make incredibly entertaining programing that makes you want to laugh, cry and be shocked and motivated to actually open your mouth and demand something," he said. "That's what it will take to get money out of the government."

A spokesman for Ray would not say how much money the star is putting in to the charitable endeavors, but said she plans to use her shows, books and products to try to influence the national conversation about childhood nutrition and obesity.

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asap columnist J.M. Hirsch covers food, diet and nutrition for the AP. E-mail him at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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