The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten

To me nothing says relaxing Saturday like watching episodes of my most favorite cooking (Barefoot) Contessa, Ina Garten. In her enviable Hamptons kitchen, zaftig Ina whips up breakfast, lunch, and dinner with ease and aplomb. She invites the gay neighbors, the historical society people, and "my Jeffrey" (her pear-shaped husband) to sit down and indulge in her comfort food creations. Unlike other TV cooks, Ina G. is way low key. No Emeril outbursts of "bam!", no Paula Deen diatribes on butter, no Batali banter, just a knowing smile and helpful cooking tips. But my obsession does not end there. I adore her series of cookbooks and they are the only ones I currently use. Every recipe is do-able and the dishes always come out well, I swear. It's basic food that can impress a crowd. It's genius.

Not so secretly, nothing makes me happier than entertaining at home and cooking for friends. I consider it the ultimate pleasure. You can feed your friends and feed your ego at the same time – guests give you genuine compliments on your entertaining prowess and grace. There are no too many things that I really excel at but this is one skill I am damn proud of. I may not be able to ski without bitching about being cold, or play tennis for more than like 15 minutes without getting bored, but I can create a delicious and savory meal in 30 minutes that'll knock Rachael Ray into an "EVOO" tailspin. Call me a 50s housewife, call me a throwback, call me what you will, entertaining is an art. And Ina is my inspiration.

Everyone I know who loves to cook, loves my Ina. My mother and I discuss our Barefoot Contessa adventures on the phone with zeal. Besides making lobster salad to die for, Garten is a business woman with major chops. Read this article about Ina's savvy in the NY Times and you will be inspired. Ina, you're my hero!

*Photo credited to: barefootcontessa.com