History of Ina Garten in Timeline
"Ina Garten, widely recognized as the Barefoot Contessa, is a celebrated American culinary figure. Her journey began in the realm of gourmet food with her store, Barefoot Contessa, and later flourished into a multifaceted career encompassing best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, and a beloved Food Network show. She is renowned for her approachable yet elegant recipes, including classics like Perfect Roast Chicken, Weeknight Bolognese, French Apple Tart, and a simplified Beef Bourguignon."
February 2, 1948: Ina Garten is born
On February 2, 1948, Ina Rosenberg Garten, an American television cook, and author, was born.
1954: Release of "Barefoot Contessa" Film
The film "Barefoot Contessa," starring Ava Gardner, was released in 1954. The shop that Ina Garten would later purchase was named after the film.
December 22, 1968: Ina Garten Marries Jeffrey Garten
Ina Rosenberg and Jeffrey Garten were married in Stamford on December 22, 1968. Soon after, they relocated to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
1972: Ina and Jeffrey Garten Move to Washington D.C.
In 1972, Ina and Jeffrey Garten moved to Washington D.C., where Ina continued to refine her home entertaining skills.
1978: Ina Garten Leaves Government Job, Purchases Barefoot Contessa
In 1978, Ina Garten left her government job after discovering the specialty food store, Barefoot Contessa, was for sale. She purchased the store and moved to New York.
1985: Barefoot Contessa Relocates to East Hampton
Ina Garten moved Barefoot Contessa to East Hampton in 1985, expanding the store over seven times its original size and specializing in gourmet foods.
1993: Jeffrey Garten's Role in Clinton Administration
Jeffrey Garten, Ina's husband, served as the Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1995.
1995: Jeffrey Garten Becomes Dean of Yale School of Management
In 1995, Jeffrey Garten began his tenure as the dean of the Yale School of Management, a position he held until 2005.
1996: Ina Garten Sells Barefoot Contessa
After two decades of running Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten decided to sell the store in 1996 to two of her employees, Amy Forst and Parker Hodges.
1999: "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook" is Published
Ina Garten published her first cookbook, "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook," in 1999. It was an instant success, requiring multiple reprints after the initial run sold out.
2000: "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook" Nominated for a James Beard Award
Ina Garten's debut cookbook, "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook," was nominated for a James Beard Award in the category of Entertaining & Special Occasion Cookbooks in 2000.
2001: "Barefoot Contessa Parties!" is Published
In 2001, Ina Garten released her second cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa Parties!," which, similar to her first cookbook, was well-received and enjoyed high sales.
2002: Premiere of "Barefoot Contessa" on Food Network
After receiving an offer from Food Network, Ina Garten's cooking show, "Barefoot Contessa," premiered in 2002.
2002: "Barefoot Contessa Family Style" is Published
Ina Garten published her third cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa Family Style," in 2002.
2003: Barefoot Contessa Permanently Closes
Barefoot Contessa closed its doors permanently in 2003 after the property lease expired, and negotiations for renewal failed.
2004: Planned Parenthood Benefit Hosted
In 2004, Ina Garten showed her support for Planned Parenthood by hosting a benefit for the organization.
2005: "Barefoot Contessa" Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award
The television show, "Barefoot Contessa," was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Service Show in 2005.
2005: Jeffrey Garten Concludes Deanship
Jeffrey Garten finished his role as the dean of the Yale School of Management in 2005.
2005: Recipe Featured in "The Best American Recipes 2005-2006"
One of Ina Garten's recipes, "lemon roast chicken with croutons," was included in the compilation "The Best American Recipes 2005–2006."
2005: Giada De Laurentiis Names Ina Garten as One of Her Favorite Authors
Fellow chef, Giada De Laurentiis, named Ina Garten as one of her favorite authors in 2005.
2006: Launch of Barefoot Contessa Pantry
In 2006, Garten and her business partner, Frank Newbold, introduced "Barefoot Contessa Pantry," a line of premium convenience foods. Sold exclusively through high-end retailers, the line featured cake mixes, marinades, sauces, and preserves based on Garten's popular recipes.
2006: Recipe Featured in "Today's Kitchen Cookbook"
One of Ina Garten's recipes was selected for inclusion in "Today's Kitchen Cookbook," a collection of popular dishes featured on the television program "The Today Show."
2009: Ina Garten Wins Her First Daytime Emmy Award
Ina Garten and "Barefoot Contessa" were nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards in 2009, and Ina Garten won her first Emmy for Best Culinary Host.
2010: Recipes Featured on Google Homepage
For Thanksgiving in 2010, Ina Garten's recipes were prominently displayed on the Google homepage.
2010: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Criticizes Garten's Cookbook
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine criticized Garten's cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That?" for its use of high-fat ingredients, naming it one of the "Five Worst Cookbooks" of the year.
2011: End of "Ask the Barefoot Contessa" Column
Ina Garten's monthly column "Ask the Barefoot Contessa" in House Beautiful magazine ended in 2011.
June 2012: Garten Joins Facebook
Ina Garten joined Facebook in June 2012 and quickly gained a following of over 100,000 users within three weeks.
2019: Contribution to "Goodnight Bubbala"
Ina Garten shared her recipe for potato latkes with author Sheryl Haft for the children's book "Goodnight Bubbala," published in 2019.
2021: Forbes 50 Over 50 Recognition
In 2021, Ina Garten was named to the inaugural Forbes 50 Over 50 list, which highlights accomplished individuals over the age of 50.
2022: Be My Guest Premiere
Ina Garten launched her show "Be My Guest" on Discovery+ and the Food Network in 2022, where she welcomes celebrities to her home.
2023: Ina Garten's Cookbooks Surpass 14 Million Copies in Print
By 2023, Ina Garten had published thirteen cookbooks, with over 14 million copies in print.
2023: Barefoot Contessa, Go-To Dinners Release and Success
In 2023, Ina Garten's cookbook "Barefoot Contessa, Go-To Dinners" was a hit, selling over 800,000 copies and reaching the top spot on the New York Times bestseller list.
October 2024: Memoir Publication
Ina Garten, in collaboration with Deborah Davis, released her memoir, "Be Ready When the Luck Happens," in October 2024.
2024: Former Barefoot Contessa Location Houses Rag & Bone
As of 2024, the property that once housed Barefoot Contessa in East Hampton is home to a Rag & Bone store.
2024: Statement on Political Involvement
In a 2024 interview with The New Yorker, Ina Garten explained her limited involvement in political discussions, saying, "I don't think I would change people's minds."