There's something really wonderful about a party where you help yourself. Of course, first you get what you really want. But 'family style' service also really encourages people to connect with one another.

Garten was reportedly awarded the most lucrative contract for a culinary author to date signing a multimillion dollar deal for multiple books. Her husband Jeffrey Garten went on to become the Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade and dean of the Yale School of Management. These convenience foods are based on her most popular from-scratch recipes such as coconut cupcakes maple oatmeal scones mango chutney and lemon curd.

Her culinary career began with her gourmet food store Barefoot Contessa; Garten then expanded her activities to several best-selling cookbooks magazine columns self-branded convenience products and a popular Food Network television show. : /ˈaɪnə/ EYE-nə; born February 2 1948) is an American author host of the Food Network program Barefoot Contessa and former White House nuclear policy analyst.