As I ponder over Ina Garten’s remarkable journey, I can’t help but be captivated by her resilience and unwavering commitment to living life on her own terms. Her story is a testament to the power of making conscious choices and staying true to oneself, even in the face of societal expectations.
Who isn’t just a little jealous of Ina Garten‘s husband?
Due to all the delicious farm-to-table dishes that Ina Garten, the popular host of The Barefoot Contessa, has shared with her faithful followers throughout the years, it is Jeffrey Garten – famously known for his global “Jeffrey’s gonna love it” acclaim – who gets to dine at Ina’s real table each day.
But it’s also apparent that both spouses bring certain ingredients to the mix.
Jeffrey, sipping a red grapefruit paloma, declared about his wife and long-time bartender, “She’s the source of endless fun for me and the heart of our home.
Used to being bolstered by that level of support, Ina quipped contentedly, “That’s not bad.”
Not bad at all. Pretty delicious, in fact.
Even sweeter given their struggles, as Ina details in her upcoming memoir Be Ready When Good Fortune Comes Knocking, they faced a separation shortly after she acquired her Hamptons store in 1978.
The 75-year-old woman became a bestselling author, hosted a popular cooking show on Food Network for many years, and accumulated a list of famous friends. From Taylor Swift to Michelle Obama, many have acknowledged her influence. Jennifer Garner once almost caused a kitchen fire while attempting to cook beef bourguignon from “Barefoot in Paris,” and the recipe for “engagement chicken” that Meghan Markle used the night Prince Harry proposed was Ina’s own creation.
However, frequent appearances on the show Barefoot Contessa and his wife’s social media posts have transformed the charming, humorous Jeffrey, aged 77, into a popular figure in his own right as well.
In a conversation on CBS This Morning back in 2015, he mentioned that he would visit an airport, and the security personnel there might pause and comment something like, “You give me quite a headache. Your wife wishes you’d be more like me.
And what is that like, exactly?
The 75-year-old went on to sell millions of books, entertained aspiring domestic gods and goddesses with her long-running Food Network show and racked up a roster of celebrity pals. Everyone from Taylor Swift to Michelle Obama has paid homage, Jennifer Garner risked a kitchen fire making beef bourguignon from Barefoot in Paris and the legendary “engagement chicken” Meghan Markle prepared the night Prince Harry proposed was Ina’s recipe.
However, appearances on the show “Barefoot Contessa” and his wife’s social media posts have elevated Jeffrey, aged 77, to stardom as an individual figure of charm and humor.
In 2015, during an interview on CBS This Morning, I mentioned that I would head to an airport. Upon approaching the security checkpoint, a staff member would pause and comment, “You know, you give me quite a pickle. Your demeanor makes my wife wish I were more like you.
And what is that like, exactly?
Ina gushes that her husband is incredibly kind, humorous, intelligent, and supportive – pretty much everything one could hope for in a partner. After being married for 50 years, she still feels just as smitten!
Ever since he fell head over heels in love back in the 1960s, Jeffrey, a renowned figure in global finance who held the position of undersecretary of commerce during the Clinton administration, has consistently stood as his wife’s most ardent supporter.
On the October 28, 2018 episode of Sunday Sitdown With Willie Geist, Ina Rosenberg shared that she met her future spouse for the first time when she was 15 and visiting her brother at Dartmouth College. At the library, Jeffrey, who was also a student there, asked his roommate if he recognized the girl. Since the college in New Hampshire wasn’t co-ed yet, Ina truly stood out, and the roommate did indeed know her.
In fact, Ina had a date with him that night.
Following their conversation post the specified date, Jeffrey inquired of his roommate, “Have you got any feelings for her?” Ina recounted the incident. It turned out that he had asked if he could pen a letter to her. Indeed, he did write her a letter…She vividly remembers dashing around the house upon receiving a photograph from him, exclaiming excitedly to her mother, “Mom, mom, this man is charming!
Six months later, Jeffrey showed up at her family’s house in Connecticut to take her out.
As for whether mom Florence had a specific thought at that particular moment or if dad Charles, who was a surgeon, was conscious during the meeting, it’s unknown. However, as Ina recounted, they both came to deeply cherish him in time.
For her part, however, Ina was surprised there was a second date.
Sharing the anecdote with captivated Drew Barrymore for her self-titled talk show, Ina reminisced about assuming that since Jeffrey was in college, he might fancy a bar. So, she proposed one and they went. However, upon reaching the bar, two bouncers halted them outside, insisting on seeing Ina’s ID.
She reminisced, chuckling, “I had no clue a fake ID was necessary to enter a bar at 16. Looking back, when I asked Jeffrey why he wanted to take me out again, I wondered what he thought. He replied, ‘I assumed you needed looking after.’ Such a sweet gesture, and he was absolutely correct.
At Syracuse University, Ina studied economics, and on December 22, 1968, when she was just 20 years old, she got married to Jeffrey. Instead of moving away, they settled in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while Jeffrey was serving in Vietnam. During this time, Ina pursued her own pilot’s license and honed her skills in cooking and entertaining, showcasing her talent.
After leaving the military, Jeffrey and his companion stayed in a tent in France. As Ina shared with Willie Geist, due to financial constraints, they didn’t dine out often; instead, Ina would purchase food from local markets.
Ina was deeply captivated by the astonishing impact of fresh farm produce, which hadn’t yet defined the style of American cuisine as we know it today. Later, she became a dedicated fan of Julia Child, an amateur cook from California who gained stardom with her renowned book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” and later television shows. Notably, Paul Child was her devoted spouse.
In America, the Gartens relocated to Washington D.C. Jeffrey studied at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and later joined the State Department. Meanwhile, Ina began working as an aide in the White House, then, after obtaining her MBA, spent four years, spanning the Ford and Carter presidencies, shaping nuclear energy policy for the Office of Management and Budget.
And then the universe really started to work in mysterious ways.
On April 4, 1978, Ina chanced upon an advertisement in the New York Times about a “catering, gourmet foods, and cheese shop” for sale in Westhampton Beach, NY. This was an unusual section of the paper she perused, and it so happened to be on the same day the ad was published. The establishment was known as The Barefoot Contessa, named after the owner’s nickname, which was inspired by the 1954 film starring Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, Ina hadn’t visited the Hamptons or watched the movie before, but she resonated with the name, and the chance seemed fitting for the budget analyst. After four years, she had grown weary of the limited outcomes her work was yielding.
When the vendor unexpectedly agreed to her surprisingly low proposal, Ina exclaimed, chuckling, during an interview on PBS Newshour in 2017, “I suddenly thought, ‘Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into?’
Previously, she hadn’t worked in the food industry, but Ina shared on Sunday Sitdown that Jeffrey encouraged her with the valuable advice, “If you love it, you’ll excel at it.” Since she adored cooking, she took his words to heart and pursued it.
Looking back on it, she acknowledged that his decision to stake everything we had on it was remarkably courageous. Fortunately, things turned out well for us.
Back in 1996, Ina sold the store after relocating it to a spacious place in East Hampton. She attributed its prosperity to the lively ambiance she established right from the start, characterized by cheerful music, free coffee, and an array of treats for customers to savor. With her stylish clientele, abundant positive word-of-mouth, and a shrewd publicist at her side, her 1999 book debut, “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook“, enjoyed great success.
Back in 2002, Food Network initially reached out to her, but she declined their offer, Willie was informed. Despite their continued attempts to recruit her, she wasn’t convinced that people would find her on television appealing. (She occasionally jokes about her fame, finding it hard to comprehend.)
Instead of saying that, let me rephrase it this way: Ina mentioned that she was an admirer of Nigella Bites, a cooking show filmed in the London home of its host, Nigella Lawson, who gained popularity in Britain. She added that Food Network had hired the producer of this show, hoping to create a star out of Lawson, known for her friendly and homely approach to cooking.
How Ina Garten, known as The Barefoot Contessa, established her show. Initially, she filmed the series within her East Hampton residence (believing it would only last for 13 episodes). Over time, she expanded by constructing a studio, office, and test kitchen area that she fondly refers to as “the barn,” which is conveniently located just a short stroll across the lawn.
Beyond writing 12 more books, such as the 2016 release “Cooking for Jeffrey”, Ina Garten has also taken on a new Discovery+ show titled “Be My Guest“, which can also be heard as a podcast. She continues to serve as a versatile recipe resource for individuals of all ages, skill levels, and notoriety.
Despite appearing to be frequently present, ready to lend a hand in the kitchen or offer his opinion on camera about his wife’s culinary creations, Jeffrey would typically be away for the majority of the week. He was engaged in various endeavors, including government work, roles on Wall Street, and serving as a professor and dean at Yale School of Management. In addition to this, he is an author, though his works are not found within the food section of any library.
After several years apart but not too far away to lose feelings, settling down in East Hampton since early 2020… Indeed, the affection between us grew even more. This prolonged time spent together sparked yet another brilliant idea for writing a book.
Ina mentioned on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” that the concept of Go-To Dinners originated from the cooking she did during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. After spending months preparing three meals a day for herself and her resident food critic, she discovered that many people could benefit from having more effortless meal options in their cooking routine.
As they filled their days with remote work and various cooking projects, Ina started posting more frequently on Instagram, sharing recipes for food and drinks. She humorously commented that during challenging times like these, happy hour could effectively occur at any point of the day. However, even the Gartens began to feel restless.
2 years and half later, Ina is back in the charming city of Paris! Last May, she posted a picture with her partner kick-starting a two-week culinary adventure. Though her previous situation wasn’t dreadful, being confined at home can make any place feel a bit cramped. It’s fantastic to be here and everyone seems thrilled! The journey begins with a refreshing rosé and some chips at Café de Flores.
True to her word, Ina showcased an enticing culinary journey on Instagram, stopping along the way to recall a trip to Paris in 1971, where she and Jeffrey camped in a small orange tent on the outskirts of the city due to lack of funds for a hotel room. Yet, the bakery @poilane was on her must-see list (amazingly, she even knew about it back then!). Now, her favorite bakery is just a stone’s throw from their current apartment, and she frequents it often. If someone had predicted the course her life would take at that time, Ina wouldn’t have believed it. There are still instances when she finds herself doubting the reality of it all!
And through it all, Jeffrey’s been the guy.
On “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Ina commented that he’s truly authentic. It’s no wonder, given his romantic nature. As their 56th wedding anniversary nears, the young man who once inquired about writing to her continues to send affectionate messages – now via text instead of letters. Remarkably, these messages tend to reach their recipient.
On occasion, she confided, laughing heartily, “They end up going to the incorrect recipient instead.
It so happened that Ina’s close buddy and PR representative inadvertently received a message from Jeffrey saying, “You’ll be scrumptious tonight,” prompting her immediate response, “I believe this wasn’t intended for me!
However, it is evident that she and Jeffrey form an unshakeable partnership. Yet, Ina has faced inquiries regarding the size of her team, as it consists of just the two of them.
On the “Next Question With Katie Couric” podcast in 2017, Ina stated that she chose not to have kids. She acknowledges and values those who do have children, and they will always maintain friendships with families who have kids, but this was a decision she made long ago.
She admitted that her parents’ social interactions might have confined their circle a bit since they often bonded with other parents of children’s friends, leading to fewer connections with others beyond that group. However, she noted that such circumstances never made her feel judged, even though others might have been. Instead, she observed that the lack of wider networks was evident.
However, Ina pointed out, she personally believed that without her current path, she wouldn’t have lived the life she has now. It was a decision she made, she emphasized.
In fact, Ina built an empire doing expressly what works for her.
She shared with Willie that she strives to avoid doing things solely for monetary reasons, which is why her name isn’t associated with numerous kitchen products or fertilizer bags, despite a company’s persistent attempts to secure her endorsement. (When asked about the experience by Eater, she recalled thinking, “Why would I do that? What’s the point of licensing your stuff?”)
And she didn’t give much thought to her “brand,” either.
Ina expressed, “I reflect on what resonates with me personally,” she said. “When you excel at something significantly, people recognize it. A brand, in essence, is a collection of feelings associated with something…If you consistently excel at something meaningful to you, eventually, you might find yourself acknowledging, I believe I’ve established a brand.
She was equally skilled at firmly declining requests, she acknowledged, understanding that overextending herself would not benefit her business or personal life.
Ina shared, “I truly enjoy my work. Each day starts by leaving the house and heading to the barn where I’m surrounded by two dear colleagues. Together, we create cookbooks, and occasionally we film for our TV show. It’s all part of a fulfilling life I share with Jeffrey. Any distraction that takes me away from this routine, I view as merely squandering precious moments.
(This story was originally published on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at 6 a.m. PT.)
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2024-09-21 15:19