Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten

★★★★★

I was familiar with Ina Garten from watching a few episodes of Barefoot Contessa on The Food Network with my mom. While I found her show pleasant, I wouldn’t have called myself a huge fan. However, I decided to listen when one of my friends, who has excellent taste in food and books, couldn’t stop raving about Garten’s new memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens. After doing so, I’m officially a fan of Ina and her charming, plucky approach to business and life.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens offers a delightful look into her personal and professional life. Garten’s storytelling is as comforting as a heaping helping of some of her signature dishes. She shares anecdotes about her childhood, how she met her husband Jeffrey, her unconventional career path, and the dashes of luck and grit involved in some of her most significant business decisions. I didn’t know she started with a career in government, nor did I know how she acquired her Barefoot Contessa moniker. 

One of the sweetest parts of the story are the details she shares about her relationship with Jeffrey. The way the pair navigated the ups and downs of their relationship together was inspiring, and it was heartwarming to see how his belief in her abilities shaped her career.

Be Ready When the Luck Happens is a delightful treat for Garten fans, old and new. I recommend it to anyone who appreciates an inspiring, feel-good read, regardless of whether you enjoy cooking. It reminded me how pursuing the simple pleasures in life—good food and good company—can lead to extraordinary things.