I love Alton Brown's show 'Good Eats,' about the chemistry of food. It's really thoughtful. Ina Garten altonbrownchemistry Change image and share on social
I absolutely adore Thanksgiving. It's the only holiday I insist on making myself. Ina Garten absolutelyadoreholiday Change image and share on social
I'm really a scientist. I follow recipes exactly - until I decide not to. And then I'll follow something else exactly. I may decide I could turn this peach tart into a plum tart, but if I'm following a recipe, I follow it exactly. Ina Garten decidefollowpeach share on social
My mother would never let me in the kitchen. I always wanted to cook, but I was never allowed to. Her view of the world was, 'Cooking is my job, and studying is your job.' I think, in retrospect, she didn't like the chaos. She was very orderly. It had to be her way. Ina Garten allowchaoscook share on social
If it's a cocktail party, I generally make five or six different things, and I try to choose recipes that feel like a meal: a chicken thing, a fish or shrimp thing, maybe two vegetable things, and I think it's fun to end the cocktail party with a sweet thing. Ina Garten chickenchoosecocktail share on social
I've lived in the Hamptons since 1978, when I first bought my store Barefoot Contessa. Ina Garten barefootbuycontessa Change image and share on social
I always have music. I love it to be very upbeat. When you're having drinks, I like something like Cesaria Evora. During dinner, I like the much more traditional - old Frank Sinatra and things like that. Ina Garten cesariadinnerdrink share on social
I like almonds as a snack - keeps your energy up but doesn't fill you up. Ina Garten almondenergyfill Change image and share on social
I use other cookbooks for inspiration. I must say I tend to cook from my own cookbooks for parties. Ina Garten cookcookbookinspiration Change image and share on social
The most important thing for having a party is that the hostess is having fun. I'm very organized. I make a plan for absolutely everything. I never have anything that has to be cooked while the guests are there. The only thing I might have to do is take something out of the oven and carve it. Ina Garten absolutelycarvecook share on social