Ina Garten is clearing up the rumors surrounding her falling out with Martha Stewart. In a live Q&A session at the PEOPLE offices on December 5, the celebrity chef, 76, addressed the longtime tension between her and Stewart, 83, and offered her version of the story.
For years, it’s been widely speculated that their friendship ended after Stewart was sentenced to prison in 2004. Stewart herself has publicly claimed that Garten stopped speaking to her after her legal troubles. But in her latest comments, Garten strongly disagreed with that narrative.
“Well, let’s just say her story isn’t exactly accurate,” Garten said with a chuckle, adding that the situation was complicated. “And, you know, that was 25 years ago. I think it’s time to let it go.”
The chefs’ relationship dates back to the 1990s when they first met in the Hamptons, New York. Garten, known for her Food Network show Barefoot Contessa, had written a column for Stewart’s lifestyle magazine Martha Stewart Living, and the two collaborated professionally. Stewart also played a key role in helping Garten land her first book deal, introducing her to a publisher who would eventually help launch The Barefoot Contessa author’s successful career.
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However, despite their early professional and personal connections, the two drifted apart over time. In a September interview with The New Yorker, Garten explained that the distance between them was the primary factor that led to the end of their friendship. Garten had moved to Connecticut, while Stewart remained in New York, creating a natural divide between them.
Stewart, on the other hand, offered a different explanation for the rift. In multiple public statements, including an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in October, Stewart claimed that Garten ceased communication with her after her 2004 conviction and subsequent prison sentence. Stewart even remarked that she didn’t expect to reconcile with Garten, calling their relationship an example of how people “move on” from old friendships.
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“I was sent off to Alderson Prison, and she stopped talking to me,” Stewart had said in an interview. On the Watch What Happens Live episode, Stewart reiterated this point, adding, “She’s into her own thing. That’s okay.”
Despite these public statements, Stewart’s team sought to clarify her stance, with her publicist telling The New Yorker that there were “no hard feelings” between the two, and that Stewart held no bitterness about the situation.
When asked whether she and Stewart would ever rekindle their friendship, Stewart seemed resigned to the idea that their paths had diverged. “I don’t think we’re ever going to be friends again,” she said at the premiere of her Netflix documentary Martha on October 21. “She’s into her own thing, and that’s okay.”
Garten has not weighed in publicly on the matter since those earlier remarks but seems focused on moving forward. In addition to addressing her past with Stewart, Garten has recently been promoting her memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, which was released on October 1. The book offers readers a glimpse into her life and career, reflecting on her journey from a Washington, D.C., government worker to one of the most recognized names in the culinary world.
While it seems unlikely that Garten and Stewart will reconcile anytime soon, their separate journeys continue to captivate their audiences. Garten remains a beloved figure in the food world, with her calm demeanor and comforting recipes continuing to win over fans. Stewart, on the other hand, is as visible as ever, with her vast empire spanning television, product lines, and her social media presence.
The speculation around their relationship has certainly drawn attention, but for now, it seems that both women are moving forward, focusing on their respective projects. As Garten puts it, “It’s time to let it go.”
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Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is currently available for purchase.
