barefoot in paris

anyone who knows me knows that i oh so enjoy watching the food network... ever since i discovered it years ago, i always have it on the tv. most of the time it's just background noise; the only time i actually stop what i'm doing to watch is really when Ina Garten and her show Barefoot Contessa comes on. when i would come home from school "back in the day", 5:00 would be time to chill with mom and catch ina doing her thing (and what a fabulous thing!) on the show. forever she has been an icon for me, and recently she has become a role model.... about four years ago when i ran into her on the streets of paris, i was convinced it was fate. sitting in cafe de flore eating an omelet and drinking champagne, she just happened to walk by... let me note that she states in interviews that having an omelet and glass of champagne at this exact cafe is her favorite thing to do in this remarkable city! so, fate or coincidence, i got to meet her for the first time then and there. a few more "bumpings into" later, i have become so influenced and inspired by her.

Yesterday, as i was dining with one of my new friends Ida who i met here in paris, we began to talk about her. ida had never heard of her, but she was a huge fan of the movie "The Barefoot Contessa". as shocking as it may be, i had never heard of the movie, so she let me borrow it... starring Humphrey Bogart and Ava Gardner (as the barefoot contessa herself), the movie ended up being fantastic! (here is ava gardner from the film)...

and, after a bit of research on my end, it turns out the Barefoot Contessa specialty food store in the Hamptons is named after this movie...

this research also led me to find out some more "coincidences" about me, ina, and paris: by reading an interview, ina mentions that the open-air market, Marche Biologique Raspail, (open three times a week, this organic market is incredible) that i pass on my way to class is right by her parisian flat (in other words, she lives like around the corner from where I'm staying?!) also, she mentions La Grande Epicerie at Bon Marche (when i first walked into this place i was in heaven... no joke) is one of her local favs.

once again, this city brings me to ina!

just like ava gardner in the movie, garten's style is elegant and earthy at the same time...

Here is her website... everything we need to know

http://www.barefootcontessa.com/

Ina's cookbook "Barefoot in Paris" is so great... amazing recipes in there.

what an inspiration.