Discovery signs multi-platform content deal with ‘Barefoot Contessa’ Ina Garten

Discovery has inked an exclusive multi-year deal with Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, to create content across all the company’s platforms.

The new deal expands beyond Garten’s existing Barefoot Contessa franchise, with projects in the works for streaming, linear and podcasts.

Her first project under the deal is Be My Guest (working title), a new series in development for 2022, which will offer a fresh take on her signature style of welcoming viewers into her home. The series is structured as a multi-platform project with three distinct versions: an hour-long extended cut on Discovery+, a half hour version for the linear Food Network and a companion podcast.

Garten is a New York Times bestselling cookbook author and celebrity chef. The latest season of her series Barefoot Contessa: Modern Comfort Food, from Pacific Productions, is due to begin on Food Network on 31 October.

“Ina has a huge, devoted fan base who know that each and every Ina premiere is a television event. Ina’s new series showcases her exceptional talents beyond what she has ever shared before,” said Courtney White, president of Food Network and streaming food content for Discovery.

“I’m so looking forward to filming new shows,” added Garten. “With Be My Guest I’m welcoming really fun, interesting people into my barn in East Hampton for good food and conversation. The range of platforms – from streaming and network TV, to audio – offers new and creative ways to connect with new viewers. This is going to be so much fun!”