The Barefoot Contessa, Brooklyn-born Ina Garten, made it to the front page of the Sunday Business section of yesterday's The New York Times. The article outlines her unique resume, from the Carter Administration to the Food Network.
Here's our favorite Ina Garten quote from this article. Perfect for Monday morning: “There is a balance between having a life and having a business.”
Here's some facts we picked up from this article . . .
• Garten is building a large barn just south of her East Hampton home that will house her television kitchen
• Watching Nigella Lawson's food show convinced Garten that she might like to do her own show.
• Her new line of costly cake mixes and gourmet groceries is a success. "In the line’s first 10 months, Stonewall sold a million Barefoot Contessa brand items."
• The Barefoot Contessa font, used on all product packaging, is Modern No. 216.
Tucked into this story is this carefully worded quote about the Food Network's chirpy new programming:
“It’s been interesting to watch the Food Network’s evolution from cooking shows with accomplished chefs to cooking and other shows with less-accomplished hosts,” said Jane Goldman, editor in chief of Chowhound.com, a Web site that specializes in food topics. She added: “Programmers have discovered that — no surprise — personality and charisma on television are important.”
We agree that the Food Network's focus is shifting, but Ina Garten is a hold out from the way the network was. She is a favorite around here. Shame on Chowhound's Goldman for implying that Ina Garten is "less accomplished" because she's never worked as a restaurant chef.
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I do not know who Chowhound is but I feel Ms. Garten, like her predecessor the great Julia Child, is better for not being a restaurant chef.
Julia Child revolutionized food in America. She also was one of the most unpretentious people on the planet, as opposed to Ina Garten. In fact, Julia Child told the New Yorker before she died that she thought that Ina Garten had no charm.
That is totally the best thing I have heard about Julia Child since I read she didn't like that Julie/Julia Project blogger.
You know, I really WANT to like Ina Garten, but I just can't be down with someone who thinks putting her name on a $10.95 box of brownie mix is okay.
It sounds like Miss Julia was getting a bit crotchety in her old age. I find it surprising that anyone would say that Ina has no charm. I think she's kind of great. He recipes are also very reliable.
I enjoy learning from a good "home chef," as I myself am, obviously, a home chef -- as were Julia Child and James Beard. I find it hard to believe that I'd learn to cook any better from someone with restaurant experience than from either of them. However, I wonder if Goldman was referring to someone like Sandra Lee, rather than someone like Garten, who is clearly extremely accomplished.
What blasphemy, calling Julia Child crotchety! If you don't ask whatever god you believe in for forgiveness, your souffles will never rise again nor will your vinaigrettes emulsify.
Ina's show makes my day and her recipes always work out exactly right. And its so nice to have a few boxes of coconut cupcakes tucked away for the times I only need 10! For party days I make the recipe. Thanks to Ina I've really had the courage to branch out and try new things that have quickly become staples.
Mary Ann, do you have a favorite of all the Ina cookbooks or a favorite recipe of hers?
ive never met mrs. garten, but i find her charming on television, and her "family style" cookbook has provided me with more go-to dishes than anyother cookbook i own, and they are always easy, fresh, and delicious.
as for the expensive food mixes: dont buy it if you dont think its worth it. i have actually tried the coconut cupcakes and lemon curd, both of which were worth every penny...ive never had better cupcakes nor richer, tangier lemon curd. stop hating...haters!
Eddie, link please.
"lorettalockhorn",
A quick trip to my friend Google finds an article on Gourmet magazine, not in the New Yorker. Although I suppose it could have appeared there as well.
http://www.gourmet.com/magazine/2000s/2003/09/accidentalpurist?currentPage=1
The quote "eddie" gave is on page 2 of the article.
I do agree that one should provide the source of a "fact". Failure to do so, is at minimum... rude.
:-)