A celebrity chef from an American television network was on the Island this week filming an episodes of the popular ?$40 A Day? programme.

Rachael Ray, creator of the the Food Network?s ?30 Minute Meals? and ?$40 a Day?, has been filming at a variety of restaurants, eating three meals a day and even enjoying a rum swizzle yesterday at the Swizzle Inn. She came in under budget by 21 cents.

Ms Ray said she came to Bermuda since it is known as a pricey vacation spot thus providing the perfect challenge to stick to a $40 budget.

?I think when people see the show they will be pleasantly surprised. Eating on a budget in Bermuda is a real story to tell. It?s a challenge ? I like to pick places that are expensive for that reason.?

Ms Ray said visitors ? especially Americans ? have not discovered Bermuda?s tasty and affordable pub fare. ?In the United States our bars do not offer great cuisine.

?There?s not just wings and things here ? curries in the pubs are lovely and affordable and a really great way to have a nice dinner. I think anyone would find that eating this way is a very pleasant experience. There?s no ?budget? feel about it at all.?

Ms Ray is known for her recipes which emphasise easy eating and entertaining and making quick, healthy meals at home in less time than it takes to order a take out.

Her successful series of cookbooks, all based on the ?30 Minute Meals? concept, include ?Rachael Ray?s 30-Minute Meals?, ?The Open House Cookbook?, ?Comfort Foods? and ?Veggie Meals?.

The ?30 Minute Meals? segment originally started as a cooking class in upstate New York which began to attract attention after the local media sent a feature reporter to cover the phenomenon.

Ms Ray was nominated for two regional Emmys and a companion cookbook sold 10,000 copies locally

The Bermuda episodes of ?$40 A Day? will air on the Food Network in three months.