Yes, Ina Garten cooks in her own kitchen, but she has a designated, separate workspace specifically built for testing recipes and filming her television show.
Ina Garten and her husband, Jeffrey, are still happily together. In her memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, Ina revealed that they had a brief four-month separation in the 1970s. They successfully reconciled after entering therapy and have now been married for over 55 years.
Ina Garten does not publicly identify with a specific political party, but she is known to lean Democratic.
Ina Garten's Go-To Oatmeal Recipe
"I've had the same thing for breakfast every single day for ten years: coffee and McCann's quick-cooking Irish oatmeal," Garten told Bon Appétit in a 2017 article. And her love of the stuff is well-documented.
To this day, the couple still don't wear their wedding rings. Apparently they took them off a few years after their wedding in 1968, and never put them back on again.
In a 2018 interview with HuffPost, she explained why it's her preferred outfit. "I don't like wearing an apron when I'm working, so I find a denim shirt or a corduroy shirt and I buy 25 of them. It's like a uniform and I don't have to worry about it."
Anthony Bourdain had some particularly unflattering words for several of your Food Network compatriots, but when talking about you, he once said, “What she cooks on TV is legit and instructive. If you do as Ina does, chances are you are going to get a good product. ...
In an interview with The Today Show, Ina Garten confessed, "I just can't stand cilantro, that's easy." She went on to say, "It's such a strong flavor, and it overwhelms everything else, and I actually think it's physiological. I like to say that Julia Child didn't like cilantro either."
Ina Garten’s most popular and iconic recipe is her Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken. It is celebrated for perfectly capturing her signature style: using simple techniques and fresh ingredients to create complex, elegant flavors.
A balanced breakfast typically includes protein, fiber, healthy fats, and a range of nutrients to help you feel full and provide steady energy throughout the morning. Nutrient-dense breakfast options include eggs, Greek yogurt, oatmeal, chia seeds, berries, cottage cheese, whole grain toast, and nuts.
Perfume. "The scent of Une Fleur de Cassie always reminds me of Paris," says Ina, who has worn it for decades.
If you've ever watched an episode of Barefoot Contessa, you've caught a glimpse of Ina Garten's beautiful barn in East Hampton, New York, as it's where she films every episode. The internet-famous chef also has a stunning farmhouse-style home on the property, where she's lived since the '90s.
Ina Garten Net Worth 2025: East Hampton's $60 Million Barefoot Icon | Cass Almendral.
Best Ina Garten-Loved Kitchen Tools and Gadgets Overall
No, Martha Stewart and Ina Garten currently do not get along. While they were once close friends, the two have had a falling out and are no longer on speaking terms.
Garten has been open about the fact that Jeffrey originally wanted kids, telling Julia Louis-Dreyfus on her podcast "Wiser Than Me" that she thinks Jeffrey "would have been a great parent." In November, Garten told BBC News that her childhood was the largest factor in her decision against having children.
What is Ina Garten's favorite side dish? The lucky dish is none other than a farro salad from a restaurant in New York called Charlie Bird.
The best Barefoot Contessa cookbook depends on your cooking style, but Barefoot Contessa Foolproof is widely considered her best overall due to its guaranteed, stress-free recipes. If you want something specific, Barefoot Contessa at Home is perfect for everyday cooking, while Back to Basics elevates standard home cooking.
Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
This 10.25-inch pan comes in handy for cooking some of her most beloved recipes, like her roasted chicken and famous smashed burgers. What makes the Lodge skillet such a staple is its simplicity and reliability.
Ina Garten famously uses Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract for her recipes. She considers high-quality vanilla a must-have, pointing out that pure vanilla gives a deep, rich flavor that imitation extracts cannot replicate.
The best appetizers ever are those that perfectly balance crispy, savory, and rich flavors while being easy to share. Top-tier favorites include creamy Spinach-Artichoke Dip, bacon-wrapped stuffed dates, and bite-sized Taco Puff Pastry Bites. These crowd-pleasers can be prepped in minutes and are guaranteed hits.
But Ina recommends the classic Sea Salt Flakes. Maldon's Sea Salt Flakes are just that: sea salt flakes. There are no other ingredients listed, giving you strong salt flavor that isn't incredibly salty.
Anthony Bourdain was famously adventurous, but he avoided specific "snob foods" (like truffle oil), improperly handled ingredients, and almost all pet meats.
The most iconic Barefoot Contessa catchphrase is: "If you can make your own [ingredient], great. Otherwise, store-bought is fine."
Ina Garten is not currently separated from her husband, Jeffrey; the two have been happily together for over 55 years.