'Barefoot Contessa' Ina Garten Agrees to Meet Dying Boy, But is it Too Late To Save Her Reputation?
One of my favorite chef’s to watch on the Food Network, Ina Garten – also known to her fans as the Barefoot Contessa, is in some hot water lately.
In case you haven’t heard the story, 6-year-old Enzo Pareda, who is suffering from leukemia, went to the Make a Wish Foundation and asked to meet and cook with Ina Garten, his favorite chef.
Reports say that Garten’s reps had turned down the boy’s request twice; the first time she said no because of a book tour she was on. The second time she said no because she was too busy, and that “…unfortunately, as much as she would like to, it’s absolutely impossible for her to grant every request she receives.”
In response to the second “no” to their request, Pareda’s mother posted on their website: ”I felt terrible for him, he has been unwavering in his desire to meet her for 3 years and despite many attempts to get him to pick a 2nd wish or change his mind he would not.” When hearing the news a second time, Pareda asked his mother, “Why doesn’t she want to meet me?,” and “I still want her as my 1st wish, even if she doesn’t want me.”
Talk about heartbreaking! Now even though yesterday she FINALLY agreed to meet the dying boy, I’m wondering a few things about this story. I wonder if she agreed to meet the boy because of all the heat she was feeling from the media and from outraged fans. I also wonder if it’s too late to now make up for her coldness – I’m sure that there are not a whole lot of children that would use their wish from the Make A Wish Foundation to meet her, and to that point, how many requests from dying children can she possibly get every year? And how could she possibly turn any of them down?!
What are your thoughts and feelings on this story?
I think this stinks! I cannot believe how cold she is! I used to love her show but after hearing this; forget it, I am NEVER watching another show of hers.
Barefoot Contessa on….TV off!
I used to watch your show. You disappoint me. You should make time for your fans. especially young boys last wish. Contessa please………….
I’m disappointed in Ina. Guess I shouldn’t be but I am. They forget that without the plain folks that watch them they would not have their fame and their fortunes.
I won’t watch her show again. I enjoyed it from time to time, even though I got a sense of “phoniness” from here. Guess I was spot on.
Her image is gone, she needs to be replaced on Food Network. I don’t know anyone who will ever watch her show again. She never even made a statement, but had her PR people do. She can’t even personally reply to this ill child? Who does she think she is? So done, here. So done with her.
i think you are a cold hearted person after reading this story. how could you!!! this poor boy is dying and all you care about is your book tour and your to busy??!!??!! REALLY!?!?!?! you have no soul and all you care about is your profit. you should be boycotted..!!!
Not surprised. Won’t be watching her again. She should be very ashamed of herself but something tell me she’s not bright enough or caring enough to let it concern her. As a person with multiple cancers I can attest to the fact that the joys in life become fewer and further between as your illness becomes more serious. To turn down such a simple request, that no doubt would bring a child such joy, is inexcusable. The ironic part of the story is that I think she would have been the one receiving the gift. Children are special and terminal children have a wisdom far beyond their years and so much to offer to anyone willing to see it. A missed opportunity for Ina. The only justice here is “what goes around comes around.” Keep fighting Enzo and have fun while doing it!!!
I sure would hate for you people to JUDGE me! It was a PR blunder. We do not know if Ina Garten knew of this or not. NONE OF US KNOW THIS. These people have handlers who do all of their PR and scheduling. So, let’s not condemn her for this.
She has tried to correct the situation… and now little Enzo’s mother is the problem. I am more concerned about that woman than Ina. What kind of mother would set this example? If he really did make this request on his own let him meet her! Enzo mother’s forgive and forget! If you want to stir up problems with a sick child something is wrong with YOU!
I am very disappointed in what i am hearing about Ina not meeting with this little boy. He is very ill and all he wants to do is spend a little time with her.She should be ashamed that she denied this child his wish when all he asked for was a little of her time.When people get so big that they lose touch with the things that really matter they need to step back and take a long look at their self. I was a big fan of Ina, now I don’t know if I can ever look at her the same. She has all the time in the world he does not and he only wanted to spend a little of it with her.How could she do that? Very cold hearted if you ask me.
I have always been a huge fan and supporter of her. I watch her show faithfully… have bought all her cookbooks multiple times not only for myself but as gifts. I am supremely disappointed. I can find no excuse for this that would make it alright in my eyes… not even the one she is using of not knowing about the request. Her actions to date, the elite blue blood type people she only surrounds herself with, the pretentiousness and the superficiallness I observe on her show but always dismiss now seem to make sense to me. I cannot overlook this. Ina, you had no time for this poor child….well, now, I have no more time for you.
A PR BLUNDER?! Give me a break! She turned him down twice! A book signing and just too busy?! Please! Anyone too busy for a sick, possibly dying, child is a selfish fool! I’ve never desired to be famous but I wish I were now. I don’t care if a 100 kids, sick or not, wanted to meet me, I would do it! No personal or professional event would be more important. This world would be so much better if people would just give a little more of themselves.
Moza, she tried to correct this after the s##t hit the fan. She is a gross elitist. And just a very cold person. After hearing this story and thinking about the show, it all comes into place. She and Jeffrey have no warmth toward one another. He is colder and more elitist than she. They live separately except for the weekend, and that’s just not normal. And we see her attitude towards a sick kid. No warmth or compassion at all. A book tour is more important than being decent. I bet she’d never turn down a request from Mike Lupica or Tiare if they wanted something, but sick kids get to stand in line.