Barefoot Contessa is an American cooking show that aired from November 30, 2002 to December 19, 2021, on Food Network, and is currently the oldest show on the network's daytime schedule. Hosted by celebrity chef Ina Garten, each episode features Garten assembling dishes of varying complexity. Though her specialty is French cuisine, she occasionally prepares American, Asian, British or Italian foods. Her show also gives tips on decorating and entertaining.[1]

Barefoot Contessa
GenreCooking show
Created byIna Garten
StarringIna Garten
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons29
No. of episodes297
Production
ProducerPacific
Production locationsEast Hampton, New York, U.S.
Running time20–23 minutes
Original release
NetworkFood Network
ReleaseNovember 30, 2002 (2002-11-30) –
December 19, 2021 (2021-12-19)

The show's title, which comes from the Italian word for countess, was originally used by Garten in her best-selling cookbook, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (1999). The cookbook was in turn named after Garten's specialty food store, which she bought already named in 1978. The store, which is no longer in operation, opened in 1975 and was named after the 1954 film of the same name. Garten sold the store to the employees prior to its closure.[2]

Overview

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Garten's show features the preparation of a simple multi-course meal, usually for her close friends, colleagues or husband, Jeffrey. Her recipes often include fresh herbs, which she 'hand-harvests' from her backyard garden. Table settings include both simple and comfort dishes, and are often accompanied by her 'own' flowers or those brought in by Michael Grim, a friend and local florist who is frequently on the show.[3]

Garten deconstructs simple French recipes like boeuf bourguignon or Baba au Rhum cake. She focuses on preparing foods efficiently, allowing more time to eat and spend with guests.

The show is mainly recorded in Garten's home in East Hampton, New York and features fast-moving camera shots and closeups (e.g., fully ripened fruits, eggs falling from the shells, or bubbling pots of homemade stock).[4]

Episode guide

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International airings

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Barefoot Contessa airs in Australia on Food Network (Australia) and the Lifestyle Food Channel on the Foxtel platform, in the UK on the Food Network UK, in Poland on the channel Kuchnia.tv, and in the Middle East on the Fatafeat Channel.

Awards and nominations

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The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2005 in the category Best Service Show; in the year 2009, it was once again nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the categories of Outstanding Culinary Program and Best Culinary Host; Garten won her first Emmy in the latter category.[5][6][unreliable source?]

Year Association Category Result
2005 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Service Show Nominated
2007 Outstanding Lifestyle Program Nominated
2008 Outstanding Lifestyle HostIna Garten Nominated
2009 Outstanding Culinary Program Nominated
Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host — Ina Garten Won
2010 Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host — Ina Garten Won
2015 Outstanding Culinary Program Won
2016 New York Festivals Culinary Program (Rusty Medal) Won
2017 James Beard Awards Special (TV or Web) Nominated
2021 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Culinary Program Won
Outstanding Culinary HostIna Garten Won

References

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  1. ^ "Barefoot Contessa".
  2. ^ LLC, Melville Digital Development (September 6, 2018). "Tips, Recipes and More from Ina Garten - Barefoot Contessa". Barefoot Contessa.
  3. ^ "13 Things You Never Knew About Ina Garten". June 19, 2015.
  4. ^ "Ina Garten Behind the Scenes". Food Com.
  5. ^ List of Emmy Awards Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine from the Emmy Website. Retrieved August 7, 2010
  6. ^ "Barefoot Contessa". IMDb.
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