Ina Garten Shares the Unconventional Way She Spends Valentine's Day with Husband Jeffrey

Mar. 15, 2025

Ina and Jeffrey Garten share their unconventional Valentine’s Day plans.Photo: COURTESY INA GARTEN

The more the merrier atIna GartenandJeffrey Garten’s Valentine’s Day festivities.

TheBe My Guest with Ina Gartenhost shared her unconventional V-Day plans with her 4.3 million Instagram followers. Ina and Jeffrey, who first met when she was 16-year-old high schooler and he was an 18-year-old Dartmouth student, don’t like a private celebration on the romantic holiday.

“People usually spend Valentine’s Day with their one special person, but Jeffrey and I like to extend the love and include friends, as well,” the cookbook author wrote.

In addition to expanding Feb. 14 celebrations to all loved ones, the Food Network star also suggests prepping for the love-filled holiday with food, of course.

“Since Valentine’s Day is midweek this year, I’m making a simple dinner where things can be either prepped or made ahead so I’m not pressed for time on Wednesday night,” she continued, specifying her menu of make-ahead dishes. Best of all, she includes the recipes and specifies when exactly to prep the items.

Ina and Jeffrey Garten met as teenagers.COURTESY INA GARTEN

HerFig & Goat Cheese Toastsappetizer can be assembled an hour ahead of the meal, according to Garten. For the main course, she plans to serveSlow-Roasted Filet of Beef with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise, which has components that can be prepared a day in advance (the beef) and a week before the holiday (the mayonnaise). She suggests prepping herOven-Roasted Vegetablesin the morning on Feb. 14 but roasting just before dinner. For dessert, herVanilla Rum Panna Cotta with Salted Caramelcan be made four days in advance, just wait to spoon on the warmed caramel until you are serving.

Of course, no menu would be Ina-approved withoutCosmopolitans!Her cocktail recipecan also be made earlier in the day, just shake with ice before serving, she specified.

“What’s Ina’s secret to a long marriage?” was another question to which Jeffrey answered, “love me to death” and Ina shared, “Marry Jeffrey!”

Ina and Jeffrey Garten tied the knot in 1968.COURTESY INA GARTEN

When asked about Jeffrey’s secret to a long marriage, the happy couple’s answers were the same: He said, “love Ina to death” while Ina answered, “love me!”

“I’d say that’s a pretty good secret,” the foodie shared before giving Jeffrey a kiss on the cheek.

source: people.com