Busy Rachael Ray always an accommodating star

It’s 10 minutes till the cameras roll, but Rachael Ray’s far from primping mode.

Rather, the high-energy Food Network mega-personality, sunglasses perched on her head, is leaning casually against a lamp post on Ocean Drive signing autographs for fans, many of whom are toting Ray’s latest 30 Minute Meals book, “Cooking Rocks.”

The scene is playing out at Gloria Estefan’s restaurant, Lario’s, one of four South Beach destinations Ray picked for her fill-your-belly-on-a-budget travel show, “$40 a Day.” Later on, she’ll head to Tapas Y Tintos. The previous day, she visited The Smoothie Shop for breakfast and The Tides hotel’s Bar at 1220 for happy hour.

Many of the folks – tourists and locals alike – are staring unabashedly, whipping out cameras and calling friends on cellphones.

All this fuss and Ray, 36, couldn’t be more accommodating. She’s hugging strangers, pumping hands and mugging for photographs – the atmosphere is more family reunion than celebrity taping.

Just when you think she may drop her food gig and run for office, she is ushered to an outdoor table. The four-person TV crew jockey into position and a serious, pony-tailed waiter brings over a menu.

“I’ll have the Cuban sandwich and a large glass of water with lots of lemon,” Ray says sweetly, then turns to the camera.

“Well,” she says in that endearing, “hamish” way, leaning in. “I met Gloria during the South Beach food festival, and what an amazing woman! She made me promise to go to her restaurant and order a Cuban, so here I am.

“And just look! Right on the beach. Not such a hard request to fulfill!” Ray says, punctuating her signature giggle with an adorable, unself-conscious snort.

The plate arrives in an instant. Ray digs in. This is no act. She confides she hasn’t eaten anything all day. “I’m stomach-hungry. I need pig and cheese!”

Not five minutes later, the producer tells her he needs a reshoot – a noisy truck mussed up the sound. The sandwich is whisked away for reassembly and brought back – the munched edges camouflaged with plantain chips.

And … 3, 2, 1. “Well!” Ray begins again. “I met Gloria …”

Bite. Chew. “Mmmmm.” Just look at all these pickles.”

The shrill tones of a cellphone interrupt the take. Ray’s jaw clamps shut. Ponytail man returns. Sandwich exits stage. And so it goes. Four cuts, four reshoots, four bites down.

Ray’s pretty smile is starting to wilt. Her adoring public lets out a collective sigh.

“Do you ever get to complete a meal?” someone yells.

“I will, eventually!” she screams back. “I’m starving!”