We’re officially 16 days away from the release of Ina Garten’s memoir, and to celebrate, we’re taking this account back to its roots with all-Ina, all-the-time content — a little Ina-vasion of your feed!
To kick things off, I thought it’d be fun to take a trip down memory lane and share my favorite Barefoot Contessa episodes from Ina’s impressive 22-year reign on Food Network. Long before I ever cooked one of Ina Garten’s recipes, my friend Louis and I used to binge-watch episodes of the show. We’d drool over the mouthwatering dishes and dream about one day being invited to one of her epic parties with Michael, Miguel, and that little dreamboat named TR!
These episodes showcase everything from Ina and Jeffrey lovefests (Does “If this tent be rocking, don’t be knocking” ring a bell?) to exciting travels and, of course, those legendary parties that made us all wish we were part of Ina’s inner circle. Oh, and don’t forget about the food!
A huge thanks to everyone who shared their favorites earlier this summer – it was nice to rediscover a few gems I’d forgotten about!
And buckle up, starting tomorrow, I’ll be sharing one favorite recipe daily from each of Ina’s 13 cookbooks. How fabulous is that?
JUMP TO: INA & JEFFREY – COOKING WITH FRIENDS – IT’S A PARTY – THE HOLIDAYS – INA ON VACATION – MISC – FAVORITE MOMENTS
INA & JEFFREY
A handful of episodes featuring everyone’s favorite couple
PIZZA PRONTO
Watch on Max
This could be an all-time favorite episode, rivaling the Barefoot in Paris episodes. Ina enlists a local pizza truck to stop by the house and give Jeffrey a pizza-cooking tutorial – the best part is Ina commentary and gentle ribbing of Jeffrey while he cooks. Ina is just have TOO much fun watching Ina cook and it makes me love them even more!
Released: 2016
MEMORY LANE
Watch on Discovery+
For this trip down memory lane recreates some of the first dishes she ever made for him like brownies, steak sandwich and an eggplant gratin they enjoyed in Paris after their 4-month camping trip around France. It’ll give you a taste of what I hope we get more of in her upcoming memoir!
Released: 2007
JEFFREY’S FAVES
Watch on Discovery+
We know Jeffrey has good taste – he did marry Ina after all – and during this episode Ina shares some of his favorite recipes including one of my all-time favorite, her fried chicken sandwich. The episode caps off with Jeffrey back in the kitchen to make his specialty: fresh brewed coffee. Along with some more ribbing from Ina.
Released: Unknown
COOKING WITH FRIENDS
A friend of Ina is a friend of ours – a sampling of my favorite episodes where Ina is joined in the kitchen by friends.
ANY EPISODE WITH TR
Good Catch (Watch Discovery+ )
Friend in Need (Watch Discovery+)
Who didn’t have a crush on Ina’s friend, TR?! Before he popped back up in recent years, people would always DM me asking “what happened to TR?” These two episodes are my favorite featuring Ina’s runway model friend.
Released: Various
OFF DUTY
Watch on Discovery+
This episode introduced me to two favorites: kimchi fried rice and Julia Turshen! How bad could that be!?
Released: 2012
COOKING WITH FRIENDS
Watch on Max or Discovery+
Ina’s friends Eli Zabar and David Ziff join her for a fabulous potluck dinner with some of my favorite recipes.
Released: 2012
MARY POPPINS SHOW
Watch on Discovery+
The cast of Mary Poppins joins Ina in the barn. This landed a spot of this list for the Emily Blunt section alone – I could watch a full cooking show starring Ina and Emily!
Released: 2018
IT’S A PARTY
Who doesn’t want to be invited to one of Ina’s epic parties? Live vicariously through these episodes.
COOKING FOR A CROWD
Watch on Max or Discovery+
One of two episodes featuring Susan Stroman this particular season. Susan and Ina host a party for the cast of Young Frankenstein and ends with epic Broadway-style song all about Ina!
Released: 2008
BAREFOOT REUNION
Watch on Discovery+
I gets the Barefoot Contessa store gang back together for dinner classic recipes they all made at the specialty food store.
Released: 2005
REHEARSAL DINNER
Watch on Discovery+
I love Cassandra of Cassandra’s Kitchen! She was an early support of this project and has been a ride-or-die friend for years. In this episode Ina helps Cassandra plan for her wedding rehearsal dinner by preparing two dessert options.
Released: 2006
BEACH BBQ
Watch on Discovery+
Ina and her friends plan a epic beach cookout featuring one of my favorite burger recipes and s’mores with the volume turned up!
Released: Unknown
THE HOLIDAYS
Ina knows how to entertain and these holiday episodes don’t disappoint.
A BAREFOOT HOLIDAY
Watch on Max or Discovery+
Ina, Jeffrey and friends vacation in the Berkshires right before the holidays before returning home for a cozy Christmas Eve dinner.
Released: 2015
THANKSGIVING EPISODES
Thanksgiving (Watch Discovery+ )
Thanksgiving Countdown (Watch on Discovery+ )
Thanksgiving 2.0 (Watch on Discovery+ )
A Barefoot Thanksgiving (Watch on Discovery+ )
Ina is the queen of Thanksgiving and has about 10 different Thanksgiving shows, but these are my favorite!
Released: Various
HALLOWEEN FOR GROWN UPS
Watch on Discovery+
I couldn’t leave out the episode that let to my all-time favorite Ina meme (see above)
Released: 2007
INA ON VACATION
While I love Ina in the Hamptons, she really knows how to travel and these are a few of my favorite trips!
ANY TIME INA IS IN PARIS
Barefoot in Paris (Watch on Discovery+ )
Barefoot in Paris, Part Deux (Watch on Discovery+)
Postcards from Paris (Watch on Discovery+ )
Ina and Paris go hand in hand and as a fellow Francophile, I could watch each of these episodes daily! It’s Ina in her element!
Released: Various
BAREFOOT IN LONDON
Watch on Discovery+
I love this special with Ina and Jeffrey exploring London and bringing back ideas for an epic holiday meal.
Released: 2010
BAREFOOT IN NEW YORK
Back to Brooklyn (Watch on Discovery+ )
What’s Cooking in Brooklyn (Watch on Discovery+ )
All Change (Watch on Discovery+ )
Okay, so NYC might not be a vacation for Ina – she does have an apartment there after all, but of the multiple shows in the city, these three are my favorite.
Release Date: Various
BAREFOOT IN LA
Watch on Discovery+
This star-studded episode is such a fun romp around LA cooking with her friend Jennifer Garner, Wendy and Carnie Wilson, and Wolfgang Puck before cooking with Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka when she gets back to the Hamptons
Released: 2015
MISC
THE BIG CHILL
Watch on Discovery+
Ina stocks her friend’s fridge for when they return from vacation – isn’t she the best!
Released: 2009
WELCOME TO TOWN PARTY
Watch on Max or Discovery+
Lidey is moving to East Hampton and Ina’s helping her throw a house warming party!
Released: 2014
THE MEDITERRANEAN FEAST
Watch on Discovery+
I couldn’t leave the very first episode off the list – Ina entered out living rooms and we’ve all been the better for it!
Released: 2002
STORE-BOUGHT IS FINE
Watch on Discovery+
I think this is the best named episode TBQH.
Released: 2019
More Best of Ina lists here.
