History of Ina Garten in Timeline

Ina Garten is an American television cook, author, and former White House budget analyst. Best known as the host of Food Network's "Barefoot Contessa," she gained fame after establishing a gourmet food store under the same name. Garten's approachable recipes, focusing on fresh ingredients and simple techniques, have resonated with a wide audience. Her culinary empire includes numerous best-selling cookbooks, magazine contributions, and her long-running television program, where she shares accessible versions of classic dishes like Perfect Roast Chicken and Weeknight Bolognese, solidifying her status as a beloved figure in American home cooking.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

February 2, 1948: Ina Garten Born

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

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1954: Barefoot Contessa Film Release

In 1954, the film "Barefoot Contessa" starring Ava Gardner, was released. The original owner of the Barefoot Contessa store named it after this film.

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December 22, 1968: Ina and Jeffrey Garten Marriage

On December 22, 1968, Ina Rosenberg married Jeffrey Garten in Stamford, Connecticut, before relocating to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

1972: Move to Washington, D.C.

In 1972, Ina Garten and her husband moved to Washington, D.C., where she refined her home entertaining skills and weekly dinner parties became a tradition.

1978: Left Government Job and Purchased Barefoot Contessa

In 1978, Ina Garten left her government job and purchased the Barefoot Contessa, a 400-square-foot specialty food store in Westhampton Beach, New York.

1985: Opened Second Barefoot Contessa Location

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

1993: Jeffrey Garten Undersecretary of Commerce

From 1993, Jeffrey Garten, Ina Garten's husband, was Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade in the Bill Clinton administration.

1995: Jeffrey Garten Dean of Yale School of Management

From 1995, Jeffrey Garten, Ina Garten's husband, was the dean of the Yale School of Management.

1996: Sold Barefoot Contessa Store

In 1996, after two decades of operating Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten sold the store to two employees and took a one-year sabbatical. She retained ownership of the building.

1999: Published 'The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook'

In 1999, Ina Garten reemerged and published her first cookbook, 'The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook', which became a bestseller.

2000: Nominated for James Beard Award

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

2000: Unsuccessful Early TV Show Effort

In 2000, Ina Garten made an unsuccessful early effort with Martha Stewart's production company for a TV show.

2001: Released 'Barefoot Contessa Parties!'

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

2002: Released 'Barefoot Contessa Family Style'

In 2002, Ina Garten released 'Barefoot Contessa Family Style', her third cookbook.

2002: Barefoot Contessa Premiered

In 2002, Ina Garten's Food Network program, 'Barefoot Contessa', premiered to a positive reception.

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2003: Barefoot Contessa Store Closed

In 2003, the Barefoot Contessa store was permanently closed due to the expiration of the property lease and failed negotiations between Ina Garten and the new owners. The store was used as a set for the movie 'Something's Gotta Give'.

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2004: Hosted Benefit for Planned Parenthood

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

2005: Lemon Roast Chicken featured in The Best American Recipes

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

2005: Nominated for Daytime Emmy Award

In 2005, Ina Garten's show 'Barefoot Contessa' was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Best Service Show.

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2005: Jeffrey Garten steps down as Dean of Yale School of Management

In 2005, Jeffrey Garten, Ina Garten's husband, stepped down as the dean of the Yale School of Management.

2005: Giada De Laurentiis Named Garten as Favorite Author

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

2006: Ina Garten Hadn't Seen The Film

As of 2006, Ina Garten had not seen the film "Barefoot Contessa".

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2006: Launched Barefoot Contessa Pantry

In 2006, Ina Garten, with Frank Newbold, launched her own line of packaged foods branded as Barefoot Contessa Pantry, in conjunction with Stonewall Kitchen.

2006: Columns for O, The Oprah Magazine and The Best American Recipes

In 2006, after high sales of her cookbooks, Ina Garten wrote columns for O, The Oprah Magazine and The Best American Recipes. She also became the magazine's consultant for entertaining, cooking, and party planning.

2009: Won Daytime Emmy Award

In 2009, Ina Garten won a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Culinary Host for her show 'Barefoot Contessa'.

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2010: Featured on Google Homepage

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

2010: Cookbook Criticized by 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.

2011: End of Monthly Column in House Beautiful

In 2011, Ina Garten's monthly column "Ask the Barefoot Contessa" in House Beautiful magazine came to an end.

June 2012: Started Facebook Blog

In June 2012, Ina Garten started a Facebook blog and gained over 100,000 followers in three weeks.

2019: Contributed Recipe to Children's Book

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

2021: Selected for Forbes "50 Over 50" List

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