I’m so glad I was in NY the right week to see this. Ina Garten’s barn, where she now films her show Barefoot Contessa, is House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year, so they created a replica at Rockefeller Plaza. The whole plaza was actually pretty lively with all that was going on.
There were people inside you could talk with about the different design components of the barn and the best part…a cooking demo
at lunch.
Off to the right of the plaza was Tastes of Summer where local NY eateries had set up booths with some of their signature eats.
Left: the barn from across the rink, Right: Taste of Summer booths
Side view of the barn with flat screens on both sides showing clips of Barefoot Contessa.
Nautical themed patio. The pillows on the lounge set remind me of Ina’s signature blue shirts she wears.
Table setting. Clean, simple and elegant. Most of the tableware is from Crate and Barrel.
The living area in hues of purple and gray. My favorite part is the framed black and white photo of Paris.
The half moon desk/office. Photo of Jeffrey and Ina on the left.
People admiring her spacious island. One of my favorite pieces was the gooseneck faucet on the sink. Note to self when I have my own house.
Stove area with her usual white Le Creuset pots.
I love how there were three kitchen timers, just like in her real barn. With her many cutting boards she uses a wicker basket to the side of the kitchen to store them.
Cooking demo by Chef Ulrich Koberstein, director of culinary arts at Destination Kohler and Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Wisconsin. The demo went really smoothly and was very impressed. In about half an hour he demoed four things and we all got to taste.
Started off with a bite of bread cheese. I’ve never heard of it before. It was interesting and was like having a cube of mozzarella (not the fresh, in water). Next was a shrimp and tuna ceviche which there wasn’t enough of to go around so I wasn’t able to get a taste.
Then a baguette with smoked cheddar and chorizo. Dangerous chef’s knife they were using. Two people cut themselves while plating for us.
Lastly a bow tie pasta with a creamy mushroom sauce
Dining room with a gorgeous summery orange theme.
How cute are the Barefoot Contessa sugar cookies?
At the Taste of Summer booths my favorite would have to be Magnolia Bakery, with their staff, icing cupcakes! Buckets of colorful frosting and their signature sprinkles.
And just so you can feel like you were there, House Beautiful has a video of Ina giving a tour of the barn and more pics on their website.
