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Photo: Maura McEvoy
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I had no idea what I was
getting into. In 1978 I was working in the White House
Office of Management and Budget and thinking I’ve
got to do something more creative. I came across an ad
in the New York Times for a specialty food store for sale
in the Hamptons and I decided to investigate. My husband
Jeffrey and I drove to Long Island to see the store and
I fell in love. I had no experience in the food business
but I knew that it was exactly what I wanted to do. I
made the owner a low offer thinking I’d go home
and I’d think about it. She called the next day
and said, “I accept your offer.” Yikes! I
owned a specialty food store!
Eighteen years later, Barefoot Contessa was a store that
was celebrated both for its style and delicious food.
In 1996, I sold the store to two employees who continued
those traditions. At that point, with nothing to do, I
built myself an office over the store and tried my hand
writing a cookbook. The
Barefoot Contessa Cookbook turned out to be the most
exciting thing I’ve ever done professionally and
the response from readers has been absolutely overwhelming.
In 2001 I published my second book, Barefoot
Contessa Parties! In 2002, Barefoot
Contessa Family Style was released, and I started
my show on Food Network, also called Barefoot Contessa. In 2004, I published Barefoot in Paris about my favorite simple French food and my fifth cookbook Barefoot Contessa at Home, was published in 2006.
Along with my friend and business partner, Frank Newbold, I have also launched an exciting line of products for breakfast, lunch, and dinner called Barefoot Contessa Pantry that is available for sale in stores throughout North America.
In 2003, the owners of Barefoot Contessa, the food store,
decided to close their doors and go on to new adventures.
I’m excited to continue the traditions and build
the brand with new cookbooks, new television
shows, and lots of delicious products that continue
to reflect not only our quality and style, but also my
love of entertaining friends and family.
I live in East Hampton and Manhattan
with my husband Jeffrey.
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