Food Network personality Rachael Ray has just signed a deal with Oprah Winfrey’s production company to host a daytime syndicated talk show targeted to start in fall 2006. And we all know what happens to television Cinderellas when Winfrey waves her magic wand. Just ask Dr. Phil.

Not that Ray is a nobody. She’s already got a hungry following as the overbooked host of “30 Minute Meals,” “$40 a Day,” “Inside Dish” and “Tasty Travels.”

She’s also the author of 10 cookbooks, and a monthly magazine that debuts next month.

“People know me for my love of food, but I have so much more I want to share,” Ray said. “Our show’s going to be all about taking a bigger bite out of life. I want people to see themselves in this show because life is full of messes and successes, and getting there is half the fun.”

Ray will become only the second personality Winfrey has deemed worthy of her production magic. Ray got her start in television doing a weekly segment for the evening news on WRGB-TV in Albany, N.Y.