You're Going to Love the Reason Why Ina Garten Is Called the 'Barefoot Contessa' (2024)

If you've ever wondered where Ina Garten's nickname, the Barefoot Contessa, comes from, you're not alone! In fact, the renowned cooking show host said people ask her about the meaning behind the moniker all the time.

Before she bought it and became the Barefoot Contessa, the name already belonged to the East Hampton speciality food store where Ina started her career, she recently shared on her blog. Before Ina purchased the shop in 1978, the previous owners had dubbed it the Barefoot Contessa, inspired by the 1954 Ava Gardner and Humphrey Bogart movie of the same name. Ina decided to keep the name after taking ownership, according to People.com.

“The former owner is Italian and her family called her the Barefoot Contessa when she was young," Ina wrote. After buying the shop on a whim (with no cooking, food, or business experience, Ina decided to leave behind a job at the White House), she was inspired to keep the name. To her it felt "both elegant and earthy," which we have to say is very fitting for the cookbook author.

And now, the nickname is used for all things within her cooking empire—her company, Food Network television show, cookbooks, and more. And with Ina's net worth coming in at around $50 million, we'd say keeping the name was a smart move!