Ina Garten, better known as the Barefoot Contessa, is an author, television host, businessperson, and celebrity cook. She is best known as the host of the Food Network television series ‘Barefoot Contessa’ and also for her cookbooks. Although many people who host cooking shows on television have vast experience in the food industry, it was a later career choice for Garten. Despite entering the food industry relatively late, she has had a successful career. As she is in the limelight, there are many facts about Ina Garten that people already know, but some Barefoot Contessa facts may surprise you. Here are some Ina Garten facts you might find interesting.
Fun Ina Garten Facts
Facts About Ina Garten’s Early and Personal Life
She Was Born in New York City
Ina Garten was born on 2 February 1948 in New York City, although she was raised in Stamford, Connecticut. Her mother was a dietician, and her father was a surgeon.
Garten Was Discouraged from Cooking as a Child
Her mother was an intelligent professional who discouraged Garten from spending time in the kitchen as a child. However, her father’s encouragement to study science and experiment inspired how Garten cooks today.
She Studied at Syracuse University
Ina Garten studied at Syracuse University and majored in economics. However, she put her education on hold so that she could marry her husband.
Is Ina Garten Married?
Ina Garten was only 15 when she met her husband. The couple married in Stamford in 1968 and then moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1972, they moved to Washington, D.C., then later relocated to New York City. Her husband often appears on her cooking shows.
She Held Dinner Parties
While her husband served a four-year military tour in the Vietnam War, Garten began entertaining at home to occupy herself. Her cooking passion increased following a four-month camping vacation in Paris which gave her a love for French cuisine. Julia Child is also an influence
Does Ina Garten Have Children?
Many fans ask, ‘Does Ina Garten have children?’ Ina Garten and her husband do not have children. It is a decision they made jointly early on in their relationship. According to The List, Garten feels the decision has allowed her to have the life she has led and is a choice she does not regret.
The Barefoot Contessa Store
Ina Garten Opened a Store on a Whim
Although working in the White Office, Ina Garten decided to make a career change on a whim. In 1978, Garten spotted an advertisement for a specialist food store in Westhampton Beach, New York, called Barefoot Contessa. She visited only once before deciding to buy it, and her husband supported the relocation to New York.
Barefoot Contessa
You might have wondered, ‘Why is Ina Garten known as the ‘Barefoot Contessa?’ It was the name given to the speciality food store by its previous owners, and Garten decided to retain the name as she felt it gives a good reflection of the earthy yet elegant image she wanted for the store. It is named after a 1954 film ‘Barefoot Contessa;’ although Garten has never watched the movie.
Is the Barefoot Contessa Store Still There?
The Barefoot Contessa Store has moved several times. It first moved across Main Street to a larger store less than a year after Garten became the owner. The store moved again in 1985 to a new location in East Hampton, Long Island. Since then, the store has undergone several expansions. Although the store remains open, Ina Garten sold it to two employees in 1996 but retained ownership of the property.
She Has Offices Above the Store
After selling the shop, Garten wanted another career change. She built some offices over the Barefoot Contessa store and began studying the stock market. Garten also used her six-month sabbatical from the culinary industry to write business plans for several ventures. Furthermore, she used the time to start selling coffee and other goods on the Barefoot Contessa website, which increased its profile.
Ina Garten’s Cookbooks
She Published her First Cookbook in 1999
Ina Garten published her first cookbook, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, in 1999. It became a sleeper hit, which means it was initially unsuccessful but later gained popularity and became a bestseller. In the first year, more than 100,000 copies of the book were sold.
Garten Has Written 13 Cookbooks
Since 1999, Ina Garten has written 13 cookbooks. Her most recent is the 2022 cookbook ‘Go-To Dinners: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.’
She Writes Three Magazine Columns
Ina Garten began writing a magazine column for Martha Stewart Living in 1999, which she still writes today. Since 2003, she has written a column for O, The Oprah Magazine. The third magazine column she writes is for House Beautiful, which she has contributed to since 2006.
Facts About Ina Garten’s Television Career
She Made Her Name on the Food Network
Garten’s first television appearance was on the Martha Stewart Show. However, she became a television personality on the Food Network. Although she rejected the network’s offer to host her own show several times, she eventually agreed. ‘Barefoot Contessa’ premiered on the Food Network in 2002 and is an ongoing series.
Other Television Appearances
Ina Garten also appeared in the chef biography series ‘Chefography’ and the satirical sitcom series ’30 Rock.’ Since 2022, Ina Garten has presented Be My Guest.
Other Ina Garten Facts
What Is Ina Garten’s Net Worth?
Ina Garten’s net worth is $120 million, which makes her one of the richest celebrity chefs in the world. It has doubled since 2022, when it was $60 million. Her wealth is equal to that of Wolfgang Puck and more than that of David Chang, Bobby Flay, Charlie Ayers, Levi Roots, Marco Pierre White, Giada De Laurentiis, Ree Drummond, and Rick Bayless. However, Ina Garten’s net worth in 2024 is less than that of Rachael Ray, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, and Emeril Lagasse.
Her Career Before Food
One of the Ina Garten facts that many people do not know is that before working in the food industry, Garten worked in the White House. She worked through the ranks until landing a role in the Office of Management and Budget during the presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.
She Has a Pilot’s Certificate
An unusual fact about Ina Garten is that she has a pilot’s certificate. It is something she achieved while her husband served in the Vietnam War.
She Is a Democrat
Garten is registered as a Democrat in New York. The famous cook has contributed to the campaigns of several presidential candidates, including Barack Obama, John Kerry, Bill Clinton, and George H. W. Bush.
We hope you have enjoyed reading our Ina Garten facts! If you enjoyed reading facts about Ina Garten, you might also like to read our facts about Gino D’Acampo, Fred Sirieix, Nigella Lawson, Andi Oliver, and Monica Galetti. Feel free to add your comments below.