Martha Stewart and Inna's garden They are two of the biggest names in the lifestyle industry, but it seems their past friendship has evaporated.
They first met in the early 1990s when Stewart went shopping at Garten's now-closed Barefoot Contessa store in East Hampton, New York.
“My desk was right in front of the cheese case and we just ended up having a conversation,” Garten recalled in a 2017 interview. time. “We actually ended up doing benefits together since it was at her house and I was the caterer, and we became friends after that.”
After nearly a decade, the pair's bond was allegedly broken.
“When I was sent to Alderson Prison, she stopped talking to me,” Stewart alleged Interview September 2024 with The New Yorker. “I found it very sad and very unfriendly.”
It was Stuart Found guilty of felony charges Conspiracy to obstruct and make false statements to federal investigators. She was sentenced to five months in prison and two years of supervised release. the Martha Stewart Living The alum was released from prison in March 2005.
However, Garten has claimed on numerous occasions that Stewart's recollection of their disagreement is not accurate.
So, what's the real story of the apparent feud between Stewart and Garten? Allow us to explain:
the address
Lifestyle gurus used to be as thick as thieves, but Stewart's prison sentence seems to have caused a rift – if you ask her. But Garten sees it differently.
“Well, let's just say her story isn't entirely accurate,” Garten said during a press conference in December 2024. the people Question and answer. “You know, that was 25 years ago. I think it's time to let it go.”
Key players
Stewart and Garten are both known for their recipes and decorating tips, which they have shared on cooking shows and cookbooks for many years. Stuart helped her Martha Stewart Living Series between 1993 and 2004 The Martha Stewart Show Between 2005 and 2012. She published her first cookbook in 1982.
Meanwhile, Garten opened her store, Barefoot Contessa, in 1978. Within years, she expanded her retail front and began selling cookbooks. A Contessa barefoot The show later appeared on Food Network in 2002.
After Stewart started shopping at Barefoot Contessa, she brought in a book publisher in one day—and the rest is history for Garten's literary career.
The essence
Garten published a memoir entitled Be prepared when luck happens In September 2024, she wrote about their once-tight bond. In it, she claimed the couple simply lost touch when Garten moved from New York to Connecticut. Meanwhile, Stewart confirms that her best friend's breakup happened when she was sentenced to prison.
Stewart also has no plans to read Garten's book in its entirety.
“She can write whatever she wants,” Stewart said Sarcastically Watch what happens live with Andy Cohenconfirming her story that the dispute began with the prison sentence. She added that she had only read “parts” of the memoirs.
Why it's a big deal:
While both lifestyle gurus are successful individually, Stewart and Garten have often praised each other before their apparent feud.
“I think she did something really important, which is she took something that wasn't valuable, which was the home arts, and elevated it to a level that people were proud to do, which completely changed the landscape,” Garten said. time In 2017. “Then I took it in my own direction, which is that I'm not a trained professional chef, cooking is very difficult for me – and I've been here for 40 years in the food business, and it's still difficult for me.”
What people say:
Since then Stewart has become hardened with Snoop Dogg — A friendship that surprised us all. During the joint WWHL In an October 2024 appearance, the rapper emphasized that Stewart doesn't “disagree with people.”
What we say:
Both Stewart and Garten are culinary icons who occupy a significant space in the burgeoning lifestyle industry. Why do we need to pit two successful women against each other in the first place? Additionally, not everyone has to be close friends — whatever the reason.
What's next:
With both Stewart and Garten committed to their stories, it is unlikely that a future reconciliation will be possible.