47 pages • 1 hour read
Ina GartenBe Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2024A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Cultural Context: Food in America
In the 1960s and 1970s, American food culture reflected a post-war emphasis on convenience and industrialization, and was powered by advances in food science. Processed and pre-packaged foods dominated kitchens, offering busy families quick and affordable meal solutions. During this time, frozen pre-packaged dinners, canned soups, and instant foods like powdered drink mixes and potatoes became household staples. Many of these food technologies were adapted from wartime supplies and rationing practices. Others reflected the era’s fascination with modernity and efficiency, catering to a fast-paced lifestyle. Meanwhile, fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken flourished, offering standardized, affordable meals that fit seamlessly into America’s industrialized, car-centric culture.
At the same time, countercultural movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s began to challenge the status quo of American food culture. The era’s “hippie” ethos and increasing environmental awareness inspired many Americans to seek unprocessed, natural foods. The emergence of specialty food stores offered shoppers an alternative to the modern food industry, focusing on fresh ingredients and minimally-processed products. This budding shift paved the way for chefs like Alice Waters, whose restaurant Chez Panisse (opened in Berkeley, CA in 1971) emphasized fresh, seasonal food and marked the origin of the farm-to-table movement.
Be Ready When the Luck Happens positions Garten as the beneficiary of this important shift in American food culture. Garten argues that she never understood the importance of fresh ingredients until she experienced produce markets in France. The fact that these markets sold only fresh, seasonal produce inspired Garten to seek out quality ingredients when she returned to America. She names Alice Waters as an inspiration for the type of seasonal, quality cooking she aims to do, and identifies New York’s niche specialty food shops as a key model for her own shop, Barefoot Contessa.
Geographical Context: The Hamptons
The Hamptons are a popular resort region located on the eastern end of Long Island, New York. The region consists of two towns, Southampton and East Hampton, which are themselves divided into several smaller villages and hamlets. The towns and villages in the area range from small historical hamlets to luxurious coastal retreats, each with a distinct cultural identity. The hamlet of Westhampton (confusingly located in the town of Southampton) and the town of East Hampton are essential locations in Be Ready When the Luck Happens.
As the name implies, Westhampton is the westernmost town in the Hamptons. It is known for its relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly vibe. The heart of the hamlet is the village center, where the original Barefoot Contessa shop was located alongside a variety of other stores, restaurants, and galleries. Westhampton is generally considered less formal and more approachable than other locations in the Hamptons. The casual, beachy vibe of the original Barefoot Contessa shop mirrors the town’s reputation.
Thirty miles east, the village of East Hampton offers a striking contrast with its coastal luxury and high-profile social scene. Known as a haven for celebrities and wealthy New Yorkers, East Hampton is celebrated for its historic homes, manicured estates, and luxury shopping. The town’s center is lined with high-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and art galleries, reflecting the cosmopolitan tastes of its residents and guests. Unlike Westhampton, East Hampton has a significant year-round population. Garten’s decision to move the Barefoot Contessa to East Hampton had a profound impact on her business, exposing her to an influential client base.
