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Ina Rosenberg Garten, born in 1948, is a renowned American TV cook, author, and host of Food Network's Barefoot Contessa.
Raised in a Jewish family in Connecticut, Ina excelled in academics, met her husband Jeffrey at 15, and later earned an MBA from George Washington University.
Before her culinary fame, she worked as a budget analyst at the White House, writing nuclear energy policy during the Ford and Carter administrations. .
In 1978, she bought a small gourmet food store named Barefoot Contessa in Westhampton, expanded it in East Hampton, and made it a luxury food destination.
Her debut in 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, became a bestseller, leading to 13 successful cookbooks with over 14 million copies sold.
Ina’s show Barefoot Contessa began in 2002 on Food Network, featuring her elegant recipes and casual hosting style, earning high ratings and an Emmy Award.
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She launched a gourmet food product line, wrote for major lifestyle magazines, and her recipes have been featured widely, including on Google's homepage.