Ina Garten Bio

Ina Garten is the host of Food Network's Barefoot Contessa and Be My Guest. In 1978, she found herself working in the White House on nuclear energy policy thinking, "There's got to be more to life than this!" She saw an ad for a small food store for sale in a place she'd never been: East Hampton on Long Island. She and her husband drove up to investigate and made the owner an offer on the spot. Two months later, Ina became the owner of Barefoot Contessa, a 400-sq. ft. specialty food store.

Barefoot Contessa grew to become a 3,000-square-foot food emporium where 20 cooks and bakers prepared food. In 1996, Ina sold the store to her employees. In 1999, Ina wrote her first book, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, which was one of the best-selling cookbooks of the year. In 2001, Ina followed with best-selling Barefoot Contessa Parties, inviting readers into her home to share ideas and recipes. Her follow-up cookbooks, Barefoot Contessa Family Style (2002), Barefoot in Paris (2004), Barefoot Contessa at Home (2006), Cooking for Jeffrey (2016) and more, showcase her easy, delicious and foolproof recipes. Ina has also written for Martha Stewart Living Magazine, O, Oprah Magazine and House Beautiful. She currently lives in East Hampton, New York and Southport, Connecticut, with her husband Jeffrey, who is a professor at the Yale School of Management.

The Latest on Ina

Ina Garten Is Releasing a New Cookbook This Fall, 'Simply Ina' Mar 22, 2026

With new episodes of "Be My Guest" also on the way, this is like Christmas for Ina Garten superfans.

Ina Garten Invites Us Back Into Her East Hampton Home in Season 8 of 'Be My Guest' Mar 18, 2026

Season 8 of Be 'My Guest With Ina Garten' welcomes Allison Janney, Jon Batiste, Hoda Kotb and Michael Barbaro.

World-Renowned Violinist Itzhak Perlman's Cooking Motto Is "The More Butter, the Better" Nov 13, 2025

By: Ian Claro

The famous violinist finally meets his East Hampton neighbor. He and Ina Garten talk music, food and Ed Sullivan on this Season 7 …

'Be My Guest With Ina Garten': In the Kitchen With Tina Fey 12 Photos

Multitalented comedian Tina Fey joins Food Network's Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, for food and fun.

Cooking for Stephen: Ina Garten and Stephen Colbert Talk Cookbooks and Meet-Cutes Oct 15, 2025

By: Ian Claro

The award-winning talk show host and Evie McGee-Colbert, his wife of more than 30 years, stop by Ina Garten’s kitchen to give her …

Stanley Tucci Makes Ina Garten Her First-Ever Martini on 'Be My Guest With Ina Garten' 15 Photos

Multitalented Stanley Tucci shares recipes and memories with longtime friend Ina Garten on Season 3 of Be My Guest.

Ina Garten Stars in Season 7 of 'Be My Guest' Oct 1, 2025

Food Network has all the details on Ina's new season, featuring Tina Fey, Christine Baranski and more.

A Pastry Chef’s Yearlong Journey to Find the World’s Best Brownie Apr 30, 2025

After meticulously testing 20 different recipes, her top pick is a Food Network fan favorite.

Ina's All-Time Favorite Pumpkin Dessert Nov 25, 2019

Plus, the surprising reason she’s gotta have an over-the-top Thanksgiving and how you can cook along with her on the Food Network …

Ina’s Dirty Little Secret for the Best BBQ Ribs Ever Jun 19, 2019

Plus, her top five grilling tips that really work.

Ina’s Tip for Gravity-Defying Make-Ahead Whipped Cream May 3, 2019

Plus, her secret for enhancing the flavor of make-ahead desserts.

Ina’s Perfect Last Meal Will Shock You Apr 25, 2019

Plus, the guest list at her ultimate dinner party and where you’d find her eating out in NYC.

Ina's 5 Simple Tips for Perfect Salads Apr 22, 2019

How to take your produce to the next level.

How to Make Ina’s Favorite Weeknight Meal Apr 5, 2019

"I don’ t think there’s any dish I’ve made more. Everybody loves this."

Irish Soda Bread for the Lazy Baker Mar 14, 2019

Ina shares her dirty little secret for this St. Patrick’s Day must-have.

The Surprising Ina Dish Taylor Swift Makes for Parties Mar 13, 2019

Plus, the one kitchen tool she can’t live without.

Recipes from Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro 42 Photos

Ina Garten teaches the essential recipes and techniques every cook must know to achieve success in the kitchen. Browse through the …

Ina and Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Love Story 17 Photos

Take a trip down memory lane and relive some of the most-memorable trips and cutest moments between Ina Garten and her husband, Je …

Ina Garten's 11 Entertaining Do's and Don'ts 13 Photos

From years of experience hosting parties and catering events in the days of her specialty food shop Barefoot Contessa, Ina knows t …

Behind the Scenes of Barefoot in Washington 7 Photos

Ina Garten is in Washington, D.C. with a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to have tea with First Lady Michelle Obama, but she's also …

Behind the Scenes of Cooking for Jeffrey 14 Photos

Ina Garten is cooking for friends, for fun and of course, for Jeffrey. Take a look behind the scenes as Ina makes some of her most …

Ina & Jeffrey: A Love Story Apr 3, 2018

Ina Garten's greatest passion for the past 50 years is also the title of her latest book: Cooking for Jeffrey.

18 Things You Didn't Know About Ina Garten 20 Photos

Love the Barefoot Contessa? Get the inside scoop on everything Ina.

Behind the Scenes of Barefoot in Paris 12 Photos

Ina Garten goes on a search to find Americans in Paris, visiting expat chefs and a French chef who does American food. The trip fi …

A Barefoot Holiday 9 Photos

Join Ina Garten and her husband, Jeffrey, as they visit friends in the Berkshires and throw a festive Christmas Eve lunch at home.

A Barefoot Thanksgiving with Ina and Bobby 10 Photos

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Ina Garten and her neighbor Bobby Flay as they share their best make-ahead meals for the big feast.

Cooking with Friends: In the Kitchen with Ina Garten 16 Photos

Ina gets in the kitchen with friends Giada De Laurentiis, Tyler Florence and Michael Symon to cook and catch up over good food.

Ina's Most-Popular Recipes

Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Roasted Butternut Squash

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Beatty's Chocolate Cake

Shortbread Cookies

Perfect Roast Chicken

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Perfect Roast Turkey

Mac and Cheese

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

Linguine with Shrimp Scampi

Cream of Fresh Tomato Soup

Coq Au Vin

Sauteed Carrots

Chocolate Cassis Cake

Cinnamon Elephant Ears

Fresh Crab Nachos

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Real Meatballs and Spaghetti

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Greek Salad

Coconut Macaroons

Parker's Split Pea Soup

Roasted Beets

Roasted Salmon Tacos

Lemon Curd

Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast

Weeknight Bolognese

Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Greek Panzanella

Chicken Pot Pie

Cinnamon Baked Doughnuts

Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash

Mini Linzer Cookies

Potato Salad

Lemon Yogurt Cake

Rigatoni with Sausage & Fennel

Individual Meat Loaves

Straw & Hay with Gorgonzola

Lemon Bars

Cauliflower Gratin

Coconut Cake

Lemon Chicken Breasts

Perfect Pie Crust

Lemon Cake

Fresh Corn Salad

Lemon Fusilli with Arugula

Apple and Pear Crisp

Roasted Carrots

Beef Bourguignon

Filet of Beef

Easy Sole Meuniere

Mixed Berry Pavlova

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Ina's Videos