Rachael Ray Admits What She’s ‘Pissed’ About with Her Podcast and Which Parts Are Most Rewarding (Exclusive)

Rachael Ray is dishing on the highs and lows of running a podcast.

The celebrity chef spoke to PEOPLE about the state of her podcast, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, during the 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF).

“I never had the format on daytime to do long format with people I truly respect and care about,” she said while hosting Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash, which took place on the first night of the four-day festival, running Feb. 20-23.

Ray continued by touching on her experiences interviewing people on her podcast versus on TV, noting, “I like introducing people to new people, people that are new to my life, but I also reintroducing them to people I already love and respect, and being able to expand and expound on what I wish I had the time to do in formats I couldn’t do it in before.”

“I had people on that are celebrated actors and people that I have known for a real long time, but that I never got to spend more than four or five minutes with,” the cookbook author added. “It’s amazing.”

Ray has released eight episodes since announcing the series exclusively with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Podcast episodes were airing weekly until they abruptly paused after the Dec. 10 episode, and Ray didn’t have the answer to its hiatus.

“I beat all of my team up about it all the time,” she replied when asked about when fans can expect more episodes. “I’ve already done several that haven’t been released yet. The challenge is waiting for their asses to put it on air.”

She added, “I’m pissed at how long it takes them to put it up. That’s all I’m pissed at.”

Producers for Ray’s podcast tell PEOPLE that the team took a holiday break, and new episodes will be launching in the next few weeks

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In the meantime, events like SOBEWFF keep Ray busy. After “over 20 years” of hosting Burger Bash competitions, “I love the concept of asking the world’s greatest chefs to come and put their work on a bun,” she said, adding of the Florida-based festival, “I come here because I love the kids and pushing all of their lives forward. For over 20 years, I come here out of loyalty. I think that’s a big part of life.”

Proceeds from festival ticket sales benefit Florida International University (FIU) and its students preparing to work in the hospitality industry. Past years have already raised more than $40 million total for FIU.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) runs from Thursday, Feb. 20, to Sunday, Feb. 23.