Ina Garten
1. If you had to begin a different career, what would you do?
I’d like to be an architect, but I would worry too much about the clients, so I guess I would be a real estate developer.
2. What’s your most prized possession?
My photographer Quentin Bacon took a 180-degree shot, a view from my Paris apartment. I just adore it.
3. Favorite drink?
A homemade whiskey sour, the recipe is in my “At Home” book.
4. Fantasy purchase?
A private jet. It would be nice, but I never will have one.
5. What’s next on your “to do” list?
It’s my book tour. Every two years I publish a book.
6. Biggest regret?
Not starting to write cookbooks until I was 50.
7. What was the best day of your life?
Last week in Paris, with my husband.
8. Secret most people don’t know about you?
It’s still very hard for me to talk the camera, it never gets easier.
9. Cause that you’re most interested/involved in?
An organization in New York called the Innocence Project, that investigates cases of people who were wrongly accused, many times their DNA exonerates them.
10. What do you do to relax?
I cook. I invite friends over to cook for them.
11. Where haven’t you been that you’re dying to go?
Just last week I was talking about Greece. I’ve never been, and it sounds divine. And I just love Greek food.
12. What’s your biggest fear?
Bad things happening to my friends and husband.
13. What’s next for you?
To just keep doing what I’m doing. I just love to wake up every morning, I get excited about testing new recipes.
14. Biggest accomplishment?
Having a television show. I never thought that I could do it. Thankfully, the Food Network pushed me and encouraged me.
15. Favorite vacation spot?
Paris, the West Bank.
16. What character in a book or movie do you most identify with?
Meryl Streep playing Julia Child in “Julie and Julia”. Maybe I don’t identify with her, but I’m certainly inspired by her.
17. Favorite books?
Malcolm Gladwell’s books; he’s really smart and interesting. I like the way he talks about what we look at everyday, and takes another look at it.
18. Biggest influence on your life?
My husband Jeffrey. He’s my business adviser, very supportive, and he never tells me what to do. He quietly advises me.
19. Favorite artist?
John Singer Sargent.
20. What is your biggest extravagance?
Buying really good ingredients for cooking-the best quality. For instance, white truffles on New Year’s Eve, French cheeses, Cipriana pasta. It really makes a difference.
