I IS FOR INA GARTEN and a Giveaway!
Written by Rocky Mountain Woman on January 16, 2013 – 12:30 pm -
This post is in honor of the letter “I” and part of Jenny Matlock’s Alphabet Thursday. For more imaginative “I” posts, please click here http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/
For a long time now, decades in fact, I’ve had a crush on Ina Garten. I have all of her cookbooks, watch her show religiously and pretty basically want to BE Ina. She makes it all look effortless, like anyone (even me) can do it. I love that about her. One of my favorite quotes from her is “How easy is that?”
She started out in food with a gourmet food shop in New York called The Barefoot Contessa. She left a government job that was unfulfilling to follow her passion. How brave is that? She sold the shop eventually, but expanded her culinary chops by publishing cookbooks, developing a line of gourmet foods and appearing on a popular food show. Martha Stewart without the jail time ( sorry, I couldn’t resist).
I love that she taught herself. She hasn’t got a culinary degree or a background in restaurants (although I’d travel almost anywhere to eat in her restaurant if she opened one). She taught herself to cook from Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” How cool is that?
She’s elegant, witty and real. Sometimes her friends will tease her on camera and she’ll laugh, no huge ego on display like some chefs. She’s just so human.
So, in honor of the letter “I” and my heroine, Ina, I’m giving away a copy of her latest cookbook so you can fall in love with her also!
To go and see for yourself why I love her so much, please click here http://barefootcontessa.com/
To enter the giveaway just leave a comment telling me who your favorite food personality is. Winner will be chosen at random next Wednesday!
XXOO,
RMW
January 16th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
I agree; she is cool.
And she is also my favorite because she is so down to earth.
=)
January 16th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
Have to say that hands down, by far, Ina is my fav TV food personality. My sister is a bigger fan, so I’d love to pass the book to her, selfishly knowing that our entire family will reap the benefits.
Most important, I’m happy that I’ve just discovered your blob.
January 16th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
What a great giveaway. She sounds like someone you’d want living next door so you could always borrow a cup of sugar and hope she gave away her goodies.
January 16th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
I was going to say I had neve heard of her but then you said barefoot contessa . She is not well known here in uk and we can’t get her books . I feel about Jamie oliver the same way and delis smith . Just wish I cou Od cook like them
January 16th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
A lovely tribute to Ina.
January 16th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
I agree – I love Ina. I love watching Barefoot Contessa. She is so calming and for 30 minutes I can escape into her gracious, beautiful, delicious world.
January 16th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Very unique and creative post for ‘I’ ~
(A Creative Harbor)
January 16th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
We have so much in common sometimes it scares me. hahaha
I too love her and yes she is my favorite but not because your giving away her cook book but because of the reasons you mentioned. Down to earth is what I like about her so much and how easy she makes everything sound.
Actually she is the only one I record to watch when I do watch TV. I am one of those that doesn’t watch a lot of programs.
Super giveaway and so wonderful of you to have it.
You have been on my mind so much the last week so I came by to see how you are and to see if your ok.
Take care dear friend
Love
Maggie
January 16th, 2013 at 3:25 pm
I love how down to earth a lot of her recipes are.
January 16th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Probably Ree Drummond, whose recipes I read (but only occasionally prepare. I am not a cook!)
January 16th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
I think I have been missing out. I have seen her cookbooks and haven’t looked through them.
January 16th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Oooh! What a hard question! Maybe Deb Perlman from Smitten Kitchen. It’s a really tough call, though!
January 16th, 2013 at 10:37 pm
Neat “I” word. I like Ina (Contessa) also, RMW.
I love to watch her preparing for her husband and like the things he always brings. Those along with his reasoning go a long way here.
..
January 16th, 2013 at 11:24 pm
I enjoy watching Mario Batalli. — or maybe it’s just that I love Italian food.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:03 am
Really hard! Have to say Jamie Oliver (working my way through his latest) & Delia (Smith)!
Great *I* word!
January 17th, 2013 at 4:31 am
I love Ina too and use her recipes all the time! But my all time favorite is Maida Heatter.
January 17th, 2013 at 9:32 am
My favourite celebrity chef is Jamie Oliver.
I’ll head over and check out you face soon.
Visiting from Alphabet-Thursday where I’ sharing some iris photos.
January 17th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
I always wondered why she’s called the Barefoot Contessa, but I couldn’t find it on her Web page.
I’m a train wreck in the kitchen, but my husband cooks and always loves to get new cookbooks. We haven’t watched in some time, but our favorite food show is Made in Spain. We both love Jose Andres!
January 17th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
have you seen Julie & Julia? It’s one of my favorite movies and Julia Child has to be my favorite cook! I remember my mother watching her when I was a kid, and cooking along with her! I’m by no (NO) means a cook myself, but I love to eat! {:-Deb
January 17th, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Deb Perelman of the Smitten Kitchen. Love her book and blog!
January 17th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
I love Ina!!! I love her cooking, I love her house, I love her gardens! I love her cookbooks! I have to say, of all the cooking shows, hers would be my favorite – it is the only one I actually record. I once made her 5 cheese macaroni and cheese – it was to croak over. And, her meatloaf – everyone in my family loves it. Everything I have made from her books and shows is delicious!
January 18th, 2013 at 12:38 am
I don’t know Ina Garten here we have all in French, it’s certainly very interesting.
January 18th, 2013 at 8:40 am
What a wonderful give-away. I have been a fan of her TV program for years and you are right, she make it look so easy. She could cook in my kitchen anytime.
January 19th, 2013 at 7:22 am
She sounds amazing. I will check her out.
January 19th, 2013 at 8:30 am
Ina is my favorite. Her voice and demeanor is so relaxing to watch on TV. Her recipes are always so dependable. Hubs was just telling me that her book was in the top 10 this year and the only cookbook.
January 19th, 2013 at 8:52 am
What a great tribute to Ina. I love her, she is full of love and warmth! Great post!!
hugs shakira
January 20th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
I love Ina!
I love how mushy she and Jeffrey are together!
And how she never apologizes for being herself.
She is definitely one of my favorites, too!
Thanks for all the information about her!
A+
January 21st, 2013 at 10:20 am
Perhaps Dorie Greenspan or Ina…her recipes always turn out great
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Are you watching her Napa series? I love the house they’re staying in.
January 24th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Don’t you just love cooks who make it look easy? You wrote such a beautiful tribute to her. She should sign your book for you.