close
close

Mondor Festival

News with a Local Lens

Ina Garten Says Martha Stewart’s Fall Story Isn’t Accurate (Exclusive)
minsta

Ina Garten Says Martha Stewart’s Fall Story Isn’t Accurate (Exclusive)

Ina Garten addresses her falling out with Martha Stewart.

During a live Q&A at the PEOPLE offices on Dec. 5, Garten, 76, opened up about her former friendship with the lifestyle mogul. Stewart, 83, had previously claimed that Garten stopped talking to her after Stewart went to prison in 2004 — but now Garten says that’s not true.

“Well, let’s just say her story isn’t entirely accurate,” Garten rebutted.

“And you know, that was 25 years ago,” she added with a laugh. “I think it’s time to let it go.”

The celebrity chefs met in the Hamptons, New York, in the 1990s. While friends, Garten wrote a column for Martha Stewart alive. Stewart also brought an editor to Garten’s specialty food store, The Barefoot Contessa, which landed Garten her first book deal.

Garten – who published her latest book, a memoir, Be ready when luck comesOctober 1st — says The New Yorker in September this distance was the reason the friendship ended. According to Garten, she and Stewart lost contact when she moved to Connecticut and Stewart stayed in New York.

Stewart told a different story. “When I was sent to Alderson Prison, she stopped talking to me,” Stewart said. On the October 20 episode of Watch what’s happening live with Andy Cohen, Stewart made similar statements.

Ina Garten’s book, “Be Prepared When Good Luck Comes.”

Crown


Stewart’s publicist added to The New Yorker that she was “not bitter at all and there was no quarrel”.

Never miss a story: subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date with the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

At the premiere of his film in New York, October 21 Netflix Documentary MarthaStewart told PEOPLE that a reconciliation between her and Garten was unlikely.

“She likes her own thing,” Stewart said. “It’s good.”

Garten’s memoirs, Be ready when luck comesis available now.