'Barefoot Contessa' Ina Garten Refuses to Meet 6-Year-Old Cancer Patient

By Sarah Crow Posted Mar 25th 2011 12:45PM

Ina Garten is cooking up some seriously bad karma along with her culinary creations.

Garten, known to many by her TV moniker 'Barefoot Contessa,' has refused to meet a 6-year-old boy suffering from cancer, despite his multiple pleas.

The boy, Enzo, is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and reached out to Garten through the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the first time three years ago, asking for the celebrity chef to take time to cook with him.

His request fell upon deaf ears, however. Garten's rep told TMZ, "As much as [Garten] would like to, it's absolutely impossible for her to grant every request she receives."

The little boy, who specifically requested to meet Garten because he had watched her show while sick in bed, made a second request through Make-A-Wish, which was met with a "definite no."

Enzo, who asked his parents, "Why doesn't she want to meet me?" has chosen another wish, which the foundation has been able to grant -- the brave little boy is currently taking lessons to prepare for his new dream: to swim with dolphins.

Make-A-Wish issued a statement regarding Garten's refusal of Enzo's request, writing, "From time to time, planning for wishes doesn't turn out as originally envisioned, despite people's best intentions and efforts throughout the wish-granting process."

Watch Ina Garten make Bloody Marys.

Tags: Barefoot Contessa, ina garten

Comments

(616)

Friday 25 March

By snlmel

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I have always thought she was a snob and a "beard" for her husband. No more Barefoot Contessa for me.

By Linda

I always loved her and her style of cooking.. but sometimes you have to make an effort no matter how busy you are.. shame on you girl.. do the right thing!! Busy.. busy.. whatever.

By renee

i used to enjoy watching her show. but not to grant a dying child his wish. i will never watch her again

By dianamarie45

My thoughts exactly...lololololol...a friend recently asked if Ina was really a woman...well...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

By 51 yr old grandma

Sorryyyyyyyy excuses excuses, seriously just how high in demand is this woman? NOT!

"His request fell upon deaf ears, however. Garten's rep told TMZ, "As much as [Garten] would like to, it's absolutely impossible for her to grant every request she receives."

You cannot really expect us to believe that the "barefoot contessa" is that busy and has that many requests for appearances? She is never seen except her one show a week on the cooking channel. What gives? A cancer patient?
I will NEVER, and I mean N E V E R watch her show again.

Cooking Channel I would hang her out to dry and fast now that this story is out there. A child cancer patient who wants to meet a over 60 lady who cooks? I mean seriously how many times in our life times would that ever be a request?

By Rocky

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Do any of you people criticizing Ina Garten know her personally?

Do any of you know how many requests she may be receiving from people who want to meet with her or cook with her from all across the country that may also be dying of an illness?
Do any of you know how many of these requests that she accepts but doesn't "publish" for the press because she doesn't do it to just gain press coverage like other famous people do?

Do any of you people know her personally enough to know how many charities she does work with?

Do any of you people actually know her at all - or are you just gossiping about someone you have never spoken to yourself?

By Missy

I agree, no matter how busy you are, you can take some time out to meet a child who finds you to be pretty special. My daughter met Josh Turner for her Make A Wish. He was more than happy to meet her, and took time to actually sit and talk with her for as long as she wanted. Ina, you should be ashamed!

By Paula

My daughter met Zac Efron in 2008 for her Make A Wish wish, and although it was in the middle of all of the High School Musical frenzy, he took the time to meet her and 8 other wish kids, spending time with each family. This woman has no excuse.

By wufinz

oh shut up. HE decided he had time and wanted to do it. why did make a wish PUBLICIZE this info? Because the organization STINKS. It should have been done privately. They are trying to strong arm folk to support their charity. bad taste and bad karma to THEM

By Jeff

Maybe she can't grant every request or wish, but this particular one should be at the top of the list. What a selfish, short-sighted, self-absorbed harridan this woman is.

By Donna Kulp

I couldn't agree more. What a SELFISH woman. I believe it was Jennifer Garner who made a request to cook with Ina and was told she only cooks with her "friends."

Ina, you should be begging for forgiveness.

By Cathy

She is definitely off my list of shows to watch...I don't care how busy she thinks she is, how could you say no (and more than once).

By Susie

I bet you could get him Lady Gaga, or Justin Beiber, or anyone else he wanted, but this barefoot 60+ yr old cooking lady is too busy? Wont be watching her show again, E V E R !!!

By Sarah

Ina Garten's refusal to do this for this little boy is a disgrace. I know that I will never, never, never watch her shows again. I did not think that she was that way. But if I was the Food Network, I would have tried to send someone else, who is better than her, to cook for this little boy

By Jessica

Well, this is a bummer because I really love her show and she cooks such yummy stuff. But I dont think I can watch anymore! I will never look at her the same. I always had a suspicion that she was a rich snob, and this confirmed it! Get off your high horse woman! I hope that little boy relizes that he is better off not meeting her!

By Tracey

Jessica - perfectly said!

By mary

Totally agree. Having cancer is so devasting to begin with but to have someone treat you like this. Just horrible....

Paula Deen would have done it!! lol

By mark

I WON'T WATCH THIS FAT COW EVER I HOPE HER SHOW GETS PULLED WHAT A JE??OFF

By Sally Hiatt

Why do some of you morons always refer to peoples body weight all the time. Let go already. Weight and snobbery are two different things. I know, many, many, loving overweight people and you insult them too when you refer to peoples weight when you have a problem with them

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