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15 Hidden Facts About Ina Garten That Will Leave You Surprised

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Ina Garten has no formal culinary training. She taught herself how to cook using cookbooks by Julia Child.

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Before her culinary career, Ina worked as a budget analyst for the White House Office of Management and Budget, focusing on nuclear energy.

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She first fell in love with cooking after a trip to France with her husband Jeffrey, which inspired her culinary path.

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Her famous "Barefoot Contessa" brand was named after a specialty food store she bought in 1978, not after her TV show.

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Ina was hesitant about doing her TV show, rejecting offers for over a year before finally agreeing to film the pilot episode.

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Ina's husband, Jeffrey, is known for leaving love notes around their home, which she sometimes shares on social media.

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Unlike many chefs, Ina has no desire to open a restaurant, stating she prefers to cook for friends and family.

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Ina enjoys gardening and grows many of the ingredients used in her recipes right in her own backyard.

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Her first cookbook, "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook," was a surprise hit, selling more than 100,000 copies in its first year.

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Ina is known for her simple yet elegant recipes, stating that the best meals come from using high-quality ingredients in straightforward ways.

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Despite the ever-changing culinary world, Ina sticks to classic recipes and avoids food trends, focusing on timeless dishes.

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Ina’s favorite comfort food is roast chicken, which she often makes for her husband.

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For years, Ina and Jeffrey maintained a long-distance marriage while he worked as a dean at Yale, traveling back to East Hampton on weekends.

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She is an advocate for hosting intimate gatherings at home rather than large, formal events, prioritizing comfort and connection.

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One of her best-kept kitchen secrets is using store-bought shortcuts for dishes like dessert to save time without sacrificing quality.