Everyone’s perspective of what it means to be “at home” changed completely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, a fire completely destroyed her stateside home and left her reevaluating what was to come next.

Over the last year, however, Ray became the proud owner of a home in Italy.

Rachael Ray smiling

“This home is a beautiful reality that came out of tragedies,” she shared.

That’s what matters."

Yet, there were still some hard lessons she learned along the way.

Rachael Ray setting a table

That’s something that resonates even more deeply with the culinary personality since losing her house.

“I learned that what a home is, is where my husband and my dog are.

How close I am to my mom.

That’s a home,” she told The List during a recent interview.

New episodes of"Rachael Ray’s Italian Dream Home"air Monday nights at 9 p.m. on FYI.