History of Ina Garten in Timeline

Ina Garten is an American television cook, author, and former White House budget analyst, best known for her Food Network program *Barefoot Contessa*. She initially owned a specialty food store of the same name. Garten's culinary approach focuses on simple, elegant recipes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, such as Perfect Roast Chicken and Weeknight Bolognese. Her success expanded from the store to include bestselling cookbooks, magazine columns, and her popular television show, solidifying her position as a culinary icon.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

February 2, 1948: Ina Garten's Birth

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

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1954: Release of "Barefoot Contessa" movie

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

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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. They then relocated to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where Ina began to explore cooking and entertaining while Jeffrey served in the military during the Vietnam War.

1972: Move to Washington, D.C.

In 1972, Ina and Jeffrey Garten moved to Washington, D.C., where they refined their home entertaining skills and began a tradition of weekly dinner parties.

1978: Purchase of Barefoot Contessa store

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: Expansion to East Hampton

In 1985, Ina Garten opened a second Barefoot Contessa location in East Hampton, Long Island, in the former premises of Dean & DeLuca, expanding the store's size and offerings.

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.

1995: Jeffrey Garten 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 operating it, Ina Garten sold the Barefoot Contessa store to two employees and took a one-year sabbatical. During this time, she began offering coffees and other items for purchase on her website, Barefoot Contessa.

1999: Publication of "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook"

In 1999, Ina Garten published her first cookbook, "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook," which became a bestseller and exceeded expectations with multiple print runs. The book featured recipes from her successful store.

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

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2000: James Beard Award Nomination

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

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

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2000: Unsuccessful early TV effort

In 2000, Ina Garten's initial effort to create a TV show with Martha Stewart's production company proved unsuccessful, because she struggled to adjust to the large television crew and highly structured environment.

2001: Release of "Barefoot Contessa Parties!"

In 2001, Ina Garten released her second cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa Parties!", which was also well-received and sold well.

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

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2002: Release of "Barefoot Contessa Family Style"

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

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

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2002: Premiere of "Barefoot Contessa" TV show

In 2002, Ina Garten's Food Network program, "Barefoot Contessa", premiered to a positive reception, marking her move into the forefront of television cooking.

2003: Barefoot Contessa as film set and store closure

In 2003, Barefoot Contessa was used as a set for the film Something's Gotta Give. Also in 2003, the store permanently closed when the property lease expired and negotiations failed between Ina Garten and the new owners, but she kept the property for potential new tenants.

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2004: Benefit for Planned Parenthood

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

2005: "Barefoot Contessa" Emmy Nomination

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

2005: Recipe Featured in "The Best American Recipes"

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

2005: Jeffrey Garten leaves Yale

In 2005, Jeffrey Garten concluded his tenure as the dean of the Yale School of Management.

2005: Giada De Laurentiis Names Garten as Favorite Author

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

2006: Garten's thoughts on the movie

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

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2006: Columns for "O, The Oprah Magazine"

In 2006, Ina Garten wrote columns for "O, The Oprah Magazine", and served as the entertaining, cooking, and party planning consultant for the magazine.

2006: Launch of Barefoot Contessa Pantry line

In 2006, Ina Garten, in conjunction with Stonewall Kitchen, launched her own line of packaged cake mixes, marinades, sauces, and preserves branded as Barefoot Contessa Pantry, sold through upscale cookware and gourmet shops.

2009: Emmy Award for Best Culinary Host

In 2009, Ina Garten won her first Emmy Award in the category of Best Culinary Host for "Barefoot Contessa". The show was also nominated for Best Culinary Program.

2010: Google Homepage Feature

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" of the year from a nutritional standpoint.

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

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2011: End of "Ask the Barefoot Contessa" column

In 2011, Ina Garten's monthly column "Ask the Barefoot Contessa" in House Beautiful magazine ended. In this column, she provided cooking, entertaining, and lifestyle tips in response to letters from her readers.

June 2012: Launch of Facebook Blog

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

2019: Recipe in children's book

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

Goodnight Bubbala

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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: Launch of "Be My Guest"

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

2023: Cookbook sales

As of 2023, Ina Garten has published thirteen cookbooks with more than 14 million copies in print.

2023: "Barefoot Contessa, Go-To Dinners" Bestseller

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

Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

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October 2024: Publication of "Be Ready When the Luck Happens"

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

2024: Location of Rag & Bone

As of 2024, a Rag & Bone location occupies the former site of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa store.

2024: Garten's reluctance to discuss politics

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