History of Ina Garten in Timeline

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Ina Garten

Ina Garten is an American television personality, author, and cook, best known for her Food Network program "Barefoot Contessa." Before her culinary career, she worked at the Office of Management and Budget. Garten rose to fame with her gourmet food store, also named "Barefoot Contessa," later transitioning into writing cookbooks, penning magazine columns, and hosting her popular TV show. Her dishes, such as Perfect Roast Chicken and Weeknight Bolognese, are characterized by their approachability and emphasis on simple, high-quality ingredients.

February 2, 1948: Ina Garten's Birth

On February 2, 1948, Ina Rosenberg Garten was born. She later became a television cook, author, and host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa.

1954: Barefoot Contessa Film Release

In 1954, the film "Barefoot Contessa" starring Ava Gardner, was released. This film later inspired the name of Ina Garten's store.

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December 22, 1968: Ina and Jeffrey Garten's Marriage

On December 22, 1968, Ina Rosenberg and Jeffrey Garten were married in Stamford. Following their marriage, they relocated to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

1972: Move to Washington, D.C.

In 1972, Ina and Jeffrey Garten moved to Washington, D.C., where she refined her home entertaining skills and hosted weekly dinner parties.

1978: Purchase of Barefoot Contessa Store

In 1978, Ina Garten left her government job and purchased a specialty food store called Barefoot Contessa in Westhampton Beach, New York.

1985: Opening of Second Barefoot Contessa Location

In 1985, Ina Garten opened a second location of Barefoot Contessa in East Hampton, Long Island, at the former premises of Dean & DeLuca.

1993: Jeffrey Garten Appointed Undersecretary of Commerce

In 1993, Jeffrey Garten, Ina Garten's husband, was appointed Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade in the Bill Clinton administration, a position he held until 1995.

1995: Jeffrey Garten Becomes Dean of Yale School of Management

In 1995, Jeffrey Garten became the dean of the Yale School of Management, a position he held until 2005.

1996: Sale of Barefoot Contessa Store

In 1996, after two decades of operation, Ina Garten sold the Barefoot Contessa store to two employees, Amy Forst and Parker Hodges, but she retained ownership of the building.

1999: Publication of The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

In 1999, Ina Garten reemerged with the publication of her first cookbook, "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook", which became a bestseller.

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

2000: Nomination for James Beard Award

In 2000, "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook" was nominated for a James Beard Award in the Entertaining & Special Occasion Cookbooks category.

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

2000: Unsuccessful Early TV Effort

In 2000, Ina Garten made an unsuccessful early effort to create a TV show with Martha Stewart's production company, before finding success with the Food Network.

2001: Release of Barefoot Contessa Parties!

In 2001, Ina Garten released her second cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa Parties!", which received praise and achieved high sales.

Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun
Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun

2002: Release of Barefoot Contessa Family Style

In 2002, Ina Garten released her third cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa Family Style", adding to her growing collection of successful cookbooks.

Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family
Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel Like Family

2002: Barefoot Contessa TV Show Premiere

In 2002, after publishing successful cookbooks, Ina Garten moved into television with the debut of her Food Network program, "Barefoot Contessa".

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2003: Store Closure and Film Set

In 2003, the Barefoot Contessa store, a landmark in East Hampton, was used as a set for the movie "Something's Gotta Give", directed by Nancy Meyers. The store then closed permanently due to lease expiration.

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2004: Hosts Benefit for Planned Parenthood

In 2004, Ina Garten hosted a benefit for Planned Parenthood.

2005: Daytime Emmy Nomination

In 2005, "Barefoot Contessa" was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Best Service Show.

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2005: Lemon Roast Chicken Recipe Feature

In 2005, Ina Garten's recipe for 'lemon roast chicken with croutons' was featured in "The Best American Recipes 2005–2006".

2005: Jeffrey Garten Ends Deanship

In 2005, Jeffrey Garten stepped down as dean of the Yale School of Management.

2005: Giada De Laurentiis Praises Ina Garten

In 2005, fellow chef Giada De Laurentiis named Ina Garten as one of her favorite authors.

2006: Garten's Awareness of the Film

As of 2006, Ina Garten had not yet seen the 1954 film, "Barefoot Contessa", which inspired the name of her store.

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2006: Launch of Barefoot Contessa Pantry

In 2006, Ina Garten, with Frank Newbold, launched a line of packaged cake mixes, marinades, sauces, and preserves branded as Barefoot Contessa Pantry in conjunction with Stonewall Kitchen.

2006: Column for O, The Oprah Magazine

In 2006, after critical acclaim and high sales of her first three cookbooks, Ina Garten wrote several columns for "O, The Oprah Magazine". She also serves as the entertaining, cooking, and party planning consultant for the magazine.

2009: Emmy Award for Best Culinary Host

In 2009, Ina Garten won her first Emmy Award for Best Culinary Host for the show "Barefoot Contessa".

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2010: Thanksgiving Recipes on Google

For Thanksgiving 2010, Ina Garten's recipes were featured by Google on their homepage.

2010: Criticism from Physicians Committee

In 2010, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine criticized Ina Garten's cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That?", for its high-fat, high-calorie, and high-cholesterol content, naming it one of "The Five Worst Cookbooks" from a nutritional standpoint.

Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips
Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips

2011: End of House Beautiful Column

In 2011, Ina Garten's monthly column entitled "Ask the Barefoot Contessa" in "House Beautiful" magazine ended.

June 2012: Launch of Facebook Blog

In June 2012, Ina Garten launched a blog, quickly gaining over 100,000 followers within three weeks.

2019: Recipe Contribution to Children's Book

In 2019, Ina Garten lent her recipe for potato latkes to author Sheryl Haft for the children's book, "Goodnight Bubbala".

Goodnight Bubbala
Goodnight Bubbala

2021: Forbes 50 Over 50 List

In 2021, Ina Garten was selected for the inaugural Forbes "50 Over 50" list, recognizing entrepreneurs, leaders, scientists, and creators over the age of 50.

2022: Be My Guest Premieres

In 2022, Ina Garten launched "Be My Guest" on Discovery+ and the Food Network, a show where she hosts celebrities.

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2023: Thirteen Cookbooks Published

As of 2023, Ina Garten had published thirteen cookbooks, accumulating over 14 million copies in print.

2023: Barefoot Contessa, Go-To Dinners Bestseller

In 2023, Ina Garten's cookbook "Barefoot Contessa, Go-To Dinners" sold over 800,000 copies and reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list.

Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

October 2024: Publication of Ina Garten's memoir

In October 2024, Ina Garten's memoir, co-written with Deborah Davis, titled "Be Ready When the Luck Happens", will be published.

2024: Rag & Bone Location

As of 2024, the former Barefoot Contessa location houses a Rag & Bone store.

2024: Avoids Publicly Speaking about Politics

In 2024, Ina Garten told "The New Yorker" that she generally avoids speaking publicly about politics because she doesn't think she would change people's minds.