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The Wisdom of Ina Garten
An article this week in The New York Times makes me understand why I don’t hate Ina Garten, Food Network star and author of the Barefoot Contessa cookbook series.
“Bright-eyed and apple-cheeked,” Garten is enjoying unexpected success in the second half of her life. After 20 years of running a gourmet shop in the Hamptons (named for the Humphrey Bogart/Ava Gardner film The Barefoot Contessa), she sold the store and invested her own money in a cookbook, never expecting it to take off as it has. Now approaching 60, she has five cookbooks, a top-rated show on the Food Network, and a line of prepared foods.
But here’s the great part—Garten has rejected opportunities to expand even more. “She has turned down offers to start magazines or to be host for more TV shows. She has declined to endorse other food products beyond her own line and has rejected opening a chain of food shops.” Garten wants to preserve her quality of life, despite success. “There is a balance between having a life and having a business,” the article quotes her as saying.
Hear that, Rachael Ray?
Posted by | Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 7:49pm | 36 comments
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There is something welcoming and warm the way you look at Ina Garten when she cooks. Maybe because she has the house in the Hamptons... but hey, Garten's assurance that everything will be great and easy, you can take her word for it. I have to compare her with other female TV cooks, but she's at a point where she's her own and doesn't need additional media merchandise to tell people who she is and what she's all about.
I especially like the way she makes her Celeriac Remoulade and chicken stew (with Macaroons for dessert)
Imagine if Food Network had gotten Ina instead of Bobby for the show Throwdown. I can see Ina showing up somewhere in south GA to see who could make the best chili mac! ;-)
I like Bobby's cooking style but man are they pimping him out-- and he seems only too willing to turn the trick.
Yeah, Rachel...make like Ina and get off my Trisquits box!
I would like to be offered some (more) opportunities and I am sure I would turn some down.....! But as a colleague of Ina's and a cookbok author, website host and essentially, village baker/writer of www.BetterBaking.com (home of Matzoh buttercrunch and Notting Hill Brownies), I agree: life is about balance - the same stuff that makes a great meal or perfect recipe. One 'can' do everything from culinary podcasts, to books, to creating a line of signature cookware and spice mixes for Williams Sonoma and spend hours making your spot on MySpace and YouTube buzzy .......but would that leave me time to tango? Or smell the hummus? Life is rich; so many recipes, so many possibilities....so little time. Bravo to those that choose the right recipe to real success. a real.....life!
Bravo Ina - !
I love Ina's style. She really seems to love food, love cooking and most of all, love life!
Whenever I just want to relax, I can watch her and just chill.
MY COMMENTS were posted wrong!
My posting on Ina Gartner was incorrectly attributed to Ironstef ....!
Hope someone straightens this out - merci!
No, your comments were attributed to you. Your name appears at the bottom of your posts.
ina is my make-a-wish -- to have lunch with her in her garden would be something i would want to do in my lifetime. there are a lot of food network celebs who have really sold out and it's a shame. have you seen tyler's applebee's commericals? UGH!
I think that Ina is a 'Bullabustah', that's a complimentary Yiddish word for a person who's domestically capable as well as very talented. I know that she lives in the Hamptons and I know that her husband is a Dean of something at Yale University and I know that together they're a very lovely and sophisticated couple. The one thing, however, that's missing - for me at least - is Ina standing in the kitchen of her Hampton's house and making a Pastrami as well as putting-up cucumbers to make beautifully scented dill pickles.
we must not forget though that ina is a whole generation older than RAY if she was 40 perhaps (and i say perhaps) she would be more active
I think part of Ina's appeal is that she seems normal. Her laugh is great. I watch her shows even when I have seen them many many times, some of her recipes have worked for me, others...hmmm...not so good, but I figure its me trying to short cut, and I always love her friends.......do I need a life or what?
I agree with all the comments, Ina Garten is the thankfully under-represented and appropriately guarded gem of the Food Network. She graciously brings levity to a Long Island community people generally associate more with Stepford than with warm and gracious entertaining. In fact, the more I watch her, the more I just want to be one of her gay boyfriends at her dinner table. Kudos, Ina!
I love Ina. I was looking at the Macy's sale advertisment in todays paper and who did I see modeling a suit.......Ina's friend
T R. He looked so cute.
As I said in an earlier post, I too am 'just wild about Ina'. Her vivacious personality transcends the 'tube' and allows one to truly experience being in her kitchen with just chatting away while she demonstrates her methods and recipes. Just one small change would work wonders - at least for me - and that would be if Ina took a hint from the also incredible Dorie Greenspan and interacted with all her many admirers on a similar Blog. As much as I feel I 'know' Ina - I feel that I 'know' and appreciate Dorie just that little bit more. I understand that it would be more work for Ina but boy oh boy would it ever be appreciated c'est ne pas?
As I said in an earlier post, I too am 'just wild about Ina'. Her vivacious personality transcends the 'tube' and allows one to truly experience being in her kitchen with her just chatting away while she demonstrates her methods and recipes. Just one small change would work wonders - at least for me - and that would be if Ina took a hint from the also incredible Dorie Greenspan and interacted with all her many admirers on a similar Blog. As much as I feel I 'know' Ina - I feel that I 'know' and appreciate Dorie just that little bit more. I understand that it would be more work for Ina but boy oh boy would it ever be appreciated c'est ne pas?
I wanna be "In her Garden" with Ina Garten - how does one get on the chosen few guest list of her's for heaven's sakes? I've even e-mailed Sinead, her assistant but no avail...I'm in trouble as I'm not a florist, a Hamptonette nor a critic. She's elegantly naturally fitting! I'm even capable of producing her coconut cupcakes with a spalsh, but best of all is the simplicity filled with sophistication that she educates us all on! I'm sorry, but Rachel isn't anywhere close to Ina's league - Ina is extraordinarily unique!
Alas, regarding those much sought after invitations to Ina's house, the one's that are so highly desirable are simply impossible to obtain. Miss Ina has a note on her site stating that because the show's production takes place in the rather small kitchen of her home it would be impossible to invite guests other than people/friends she actually knows and usually entertains. She does, however, offer a consolation visit to her office over the store where she generally 'holds court' five days a week during regular business hours. She asks that you call ahead just to be certain that she's in and available. Not too shabby an invite either, I should think.
I really like and enjoy watching Ina Garten's food network shows, I also have some of her cookbooks, for me she's one of the only genuine chefs at TFN. She seems to be a very honest and delightful person, I love the way she cooks, simple, easy, but with great ingredients.
I don't watch the food network that much anymore, especially since I can't stand RR and her, in my opinion, horrible and disgusting cooking ways, and she seems to be all over TFN.
I do watch Ina Garten's episodes over and over again.
I have been a fan of Ina's for years and one of my favourite comfort foods is Ina's beef stew. I am s-o-o-o looking forward to seeing some new shows, having enjoyed all of her shows more than once. Does any know if she will be filming a new 2007-2008 season?
TIA
I've wondered the same thing regarding a host of new shows for the coming year. Don't get me wrong, I can sit & watch re-runs of her anytime. If it's not public radio softly piped throughout my home 24/7, it's also FoodNetwork (preferably Ina) on in the background on my new Toshiba "Kitchen Series" LCD HDTV - I hesitated for a long time having a television in the kitchen, but this sleek screen is the best 20 inch device I've purchased in a long time!
i love ina ......her show on tfn is one of a few... (including michael chiarello)...that somehow is relaxing and also makes you want to try new recipes....ina's fried chicken has got to be one of the best!!!!!!!!!!!!! .........keep it up ina
i love ina ......her show on tfn is one of a few... (including michael chiarello)...that somehow is relaxing and also makes you want to try new recipes....ina's fried chicken has got to be one of the best!!!!!!!!!!!!! .........keep it up ina
Yeah, but nobody has the integrity of Julia Child. Julia refused all endorsements, even though she could had made millions!
I think she has a level of exclusivity that is only enhanced by her not peddling every ware out there with her name in it. I, personally, think it's a great decision. You go, Ina!
Has Ina sold her house?
I saw an episode this week that appeared to be brand new, and the setting was a totally different house and kitchen. It was lovely, but a little disconcerting, as I am so used to her old house and kitchen. Plus it came without warning.
Anyone know anything about it?
This is taken from the above mentioned article in NY Times from March of this year: BY year-end, Ms. Garten’s setting will change. She is building a large barn just south of her home that will house a television kitchen, allowing shows to be filmed from a 360-degree angle, Ms. Purnell said.
i'm still trying to figure out Ina's kitchen. When she is by the sink, the background is the refrigerator. When she is using a mixer, then she is next to a window. The work space seems small, yet at the same time it seems like it is behind the fridge. Is the pantry behind the fridge? Are the doors to the outdoors in front of her cooking space. It don't know why something as insipid as the kitchen layout is driving me crazy but it is?
Even though I don't eat meat, dairy, or eggs, BC is my favorite cooking show. Ina has such a grace and elegance about her, and she is not a sell-out.
I am not an active cook, nor am I a seeker of cooking shows. I just happened on to Ina Garten while channel-surfing one Saturday morning about a year ago, when she was preparing eggplant gratin. Ever since, I have recorded her shows for the pleasure they provide. They offer nothing short of a zenlike experience for me, whether I try her recipes or not.
That being said, I have tried many, and not one has failed to please me or my dinner companions, which is an understatement. I do cut corners -- less salt here, a lot less butter there -- and they still work.
I have not quite put my finger on what her magic is, but she's got it. I love all things French, and I loved Julia Child (who, I admit, I came to know from her appearances on Tom Snyder's talk show), so maybe all of this has something to do with it.
Thank you very much, Ina Garten.
Everything Ina does is simple and elegant, and you cannot get any better then that, I love the fact she refuses to get involved in other riduculous FN nonsense. I have made several of her dishes my favorite was her chicken hash, "Talk about comfort food" I actually once ate the whole thing...ALONE!
After a stressful day, I love coming home to watch Ina on TFN. She calms me down. She is a woman of class. While I am not a cook, I can dream of living in he Hamptons and whipping up those delicious dishes can't I? Ina and Jeffrey seem to be the perfect couple. There is no comparing calm classy Ina with RR. RR, it seems to me, has no time for anything but her many shows on TFN, the RR Show, etc. I think Ina understands moderation and what life is REALLY about.
Ina is my girlfriend, you guys. Seriously she's amazing. Just like all of you, there is a calming quality about her when she cooks and entertains. I'm 26 years old and I completely identify with her love for cooking for her friends and loved ones. It's also wonderful to see how genuine she is. She doesn't do anything over-the-top or crazy in her deliverance, she just cooks....quick, simple, elegant and delicious. Also, is it me or does she have a quiet sex-appeal about her? lol She certainly has a lot of male friends that she cooks for. Also, there's a certain way Jeffrey looks at her. I don't know...maybe that's just me,.
I agree, she is a closely guarded gem on the Food Network and between her and Michael Ciarelllo I've learned that cooking is wonderful when you're doing it for your friends and loved ones! lol I'm actually watching Ina right now!! lol Great job Ina and I admire you!
Well, here we are, two years down the road - and Ms. Garten has devolved into endless repetitions of the same recipes - the fruit crisps, the roast chickens, the roasted winter veg, a chicken coop's worth of meringues with berries, the endless parade of nearly identical gratins - all of which seem to be flavored with excessive amounts of lemon zest.
Ina's road at the Food Network has been long and pleasant, but I think she's near the end of it. Perhaps she should harken back to Julia Child once more, and go back to true basics - not just recycling old shows.
You Know, at first it took me a bit of time to warm up to Ina's style on her shows, but that has passed. I think her food is wonderful and NOW it is revealed that her common sense and wisdom is as well !!
As a man who owned 2 restaurants in the midwest and turned out wonderful (even is I am biased) offerings not common to the midwest daily....and who has divested those offerings....I agree. There is a fine balance between business and LIFE and it is tricky to find, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters !!
it took my a bit to warm up to her shows too but she can cook for me anytime and as a man that 60 yr old can make my day anytime
I just love Ina! There is something warm and real about her show that the others on FN don't have. She reminds me of every aunt I ever had from Brooklyn. She is the class of the FN. Don't forget this woman worked in the White House for years. You don't see her on every station, selling stuff on HSN, having her own show on other stations, etc. etc. She has a perfect balance of life and work. Hats off to you Ina!!
I knew there was a reason, of all the T.V. chefs/cooks I've seen, Ina is the only one I would want to have as a friend.
Brava! Ina!