10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Barefoot Contessa by Mandy Major in Behind the Scenes, Food Network Chef, October 31st, 2012
Her fame may be relatively quiet — she doesn’t have a line of cookware, there isn’t a namesake restaurant — but make no mistake: Ina Garten is a powerhouse celeb chef.
Fans know her story well: From a White House budget analyst to specialty food-store owner, her path to stardom has been slow and steady. In 1978 she bought the Barefoot Contessa in East Hampton; after 20 years she quit and sold it to the employees, only then embarking on cookbooks. Her first was published in 1999.
Now, with her eighth cookbook (Barefoot Contessa: Foolproof ) out and her show entering its 11th year, the publicity-shy chef has plenty to dish about. Here are the highlights from her (packed) appearance at the New York City Wine & Food Festival‘s Grand Tasting event.
1. She cooks only from her cookbooks. “I trust them,” she says. And after all these years, she still prefers a recipe over winging it. “I’m a science person. I measure everything.”
2. She’s never watched herself on TV. “I couldn’t possibly. If I watched a show, I don’t think I’d ever do it again,” she laughs. “Filming is still the most frightening thing I’ve done. It’s just sheer terror. I haven’t gotten used to it yet.”
3. She eschews fancy foods. “When I did fancy things in the store, nobody really bought them. People wanted roast chicken and roasted carrots. I’m inspired by specialty food-store recipes as opposed to restaurants.” For dinner parties, her go-to meal is equally simple: whiskey sours, rack of lamb and orzo with roasted vegetables. “Everyone loves it. It never fails.”
4. She refuses to endorse products. “I’ve been asked to do everything from dining tables to clothing — who would want me to do their clothing? — to soy sauce,” she says. “Yesterday I was asked to do something with the United Nations I mean, solve the problems of the world? Yeah, I’ll make everyone chicken pot pie and they’ll be happy [laughs]!”
5. She works only with friends. “A lot of people have asked to be guests, but I really keep it to friends. I don’t think you can fake a party,” she says. A new and notable favorite: Tina Fey. “She’s wonderful. She’s everything you think she is and gorgeous to boot.”
6. She admires Bobby Flay. “How does he do it? He blows me away. He has restaurants all over the world, cookbooks, television shows. I can’t imagine how he does it, and he does them all well,” she says.
7. She doesn’t cook for herself. “Cooking is a sharing thing; it’s not about the cooking itself,” she says. “If I’m by myself, I’ll have fruit, yogurt and granola or get soup from somewhere nearby, like Loaves & Fishes.”
8. She’s happily type A. “I’m satisfied when something is done very well. I feel I need to have my hands in it. My publisher will tell you that there isn’t a font or color or recipe or ingredient I haven’t been involved with. I don’t have a lot of people around me; I do it all myself, so that limits what I can do. But for me, I find that very satisfying.”
9. She’s more pop savvy than you’d think. “I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan,” she admits. And her favorite shows? Serial dramas, like Homeland.
10. She loves Thanksgiving. “It’s my favorite meal to make each year,” she says. On this year’s menu: Accidental Turkey from Foolproof, spinach gratin, truffle mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie with rum. “Booze is always my secret weapon!” she jokes.
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More posts from Mandy Major.
Tags: Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, nycwff
I love the show, but that back ground music really needs to go. The repetitive notes, that they play over and over it's such a distraction!!
I own 3 of Ina's cook books and love them.I have never made a bad meal when using your recipe. Will be buying your new book soon.
i can't enough about you, your show is sooo amazing it totally calms me down your voice i find calming your house and of course jeffrey he makes me laugh everything stops in my house when your show comes on. I have all your cooks books your six dvd's I wish there was more. Please don't change anything on your show just keep cooking.
I was just watching your show and you said "flowers are boring" I think you have a favorite florist in the Hamptons and my sister and I are florist along with two very good friends that own their own shops. It is hard enough to make a living in this business, thanks Ina for your support. I will not be watching your show anymore
Ina has never said "flowers are boring". IN fact, as any fan of her show knows, her favorite flower color is orange (as she so often uses flowers to decorate her table). One of her best friends has a flower shop in town and he is frequently featured on her show, with either her at the shop purchasing or him delivering to her home to decorate with….you guessed it….flowers.
Would appreciate some facts here as in a citation of the show date, time, etc.
Are you kidding me? Ina loves flowers. She always has a lot of them on her table especially if she has formal parties. She has a friend who frequently arrange the flower for her but she sometimes do it herself and picks the flowers from her own garden,
Why would you blame Ina if your flower business is not doing well? You are barking at the wrong tree, Dear. She helped a lot of families with her easy and delicious recipes. I myself learned how to bake because of her. Gretchen, you are wrong about Ina. She never said that flowers are boring.
I can't imagine Ina ever saying that about flowers…She has a very good friend who does her flowers and she has always loved the simple arrangement's that he makes and does so well….you must have misunderstood her…..look in all her books ……
I am sure you misunderstood Ina. If you watched her show you would see that she has flowers on her tables as she serves her meals and she also has flowers outside. Please there is enough animosity in this world without people attacking others, "Don't you think? From a 66 year old lady from Texas. Please forgive and forget or call her and I am sure if you did not misunderstand she will explain herself. Enough said. God Bless you Gretchen and have a wonderful week.
Dear Gretchen, I think you took the comment out of context. If you have watched Ina's show more than a couple times I think you would have heard her go on at times of the beauty of the flowers and floral arrangements especially those her Florist Friends in the Hamptons do, and calls on them frequently for there expertise. You comment is uncouth and childish. Do you really think that her one time opinion of flowers is going to change the minds of all who watch or in anyway affect your business or your friends? Fellow flower lover and Cater and faithful Food Network fan.
Ina is down to earth and real. I would love to be friends with her. She's warm, sincere and is someone who is so humble. I love her recipes. They're elegant and delicious without being complicated. She's the best out of any on the Food Network cooks. Her ideas are new and fresh. Keep it up Ina!
Ina, you are fabulous ! I love all your shows, I have all your cookbooks and cook from them all the time. I entertain a lot and all my guest just love coming to dinner knowing I'll be cooking something from your cook books..No one bothers me while your on the air ! You brighten up my day. I've learned so much from you and have become a great cook because of you !!! Can't begin to thank you enough !!! I love and look forward to Friday nights Chicken for Jeffrey. You are truly beautiful inside out….I try very hard never to miss your shows. I even have your DVD's. You are on my Bucket List . I hope to meet you someday before I die.I better hurry up I'm getting old !!!!!!
I so enjoy Ina's show. Give your books to all my daughters. Every recipe works!! I love the way you and Jeffrey interact. I am a complete fan. !!! Ina can do no wrong
The Barefoot Contessa Rocks! I always loved her books/recipes… and now I like her even more!
Ina, I would love to meet you and my husband says you are better than anyone on tv, you seem so down to earth and you fit in where ever you are,i'm sure the people around you love you
I so agree with your statement. The best is Ina's beautiful laugh. I just love her and Jeffrey together.
ina is fabulous. every single recipe of hers i've tried has been delicious..and easy! try her herb baked eggs (and accompanying endive and pear salad). it's just eggs!! yet one of the most fabulous things i've ever eaten. how can that be? ina knows her stuff.