Linda Locke

If you want to write a cookbook, but think it's too late for you to start, you need to check out the inspirational story of Ina Garten, better known as the Barefoot Contessa of Food Network fame. Ina didn't start writing her cookbooks until she was in her 50's, and her first book "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook", has sold over 2 million copies since it was first published in 1999. She has since gone on to publish another 3 successful books, her latest is "Barefoot in Paris".

Ina was not trained as a professional chef, but ran a successful specialty food store in the Hamptons before starting to write her cookbooks after she sold the store. After the success of her first cookbook, the Food Network approached her about doing a cooking show for them which airs weekly to rave reviews.

Ina was recently featured on the Chefography series on Food Network and her life story shows how someone who really lives their passion and takes the risk to go for their dream can become successful beyond their wildest dreams. The show will be running all this week (March 17-19, 2006) at different times and you should check it out. You can find more information here: http://tinyurl.com/lap7p

Enjoy!

Linda Locke
Editor, Midlife Writer