Ina Garten is a well-known American cookery book author and Emmy award winning host of Food Networks’ current oldest show Barefoot Contessa which began in 2002 and has aired 27 seasons till 2020. Ina began her career working for the White House, writing the nuclear energy budget and policy papers. Though she found the career intellectually stimulating initially, eventually she lost her interest in it and purchased a small specialty food store – Barefoot Contessa. She spent eighteen years making the store extremely successful before selling it off and picking up the pen to write her first cookbook. A number of other cookbooks and magazine columns followed. Meanwhile her Food Network television show, too, made its debut and became a hit. She also sells a range of product, from cooking ingredients to equipment and storage containers. Ina has never been to any cookery school or worked in a restaurant and is completely self-taught. She is known for her simple approach to cooking and effortless take on entertainment. Some of her best known recipes include Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken, Beatty’s Chocolate Cake, Mac and Cheese, Beef Bourguignon, Balsamic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Lemon Bars.