When you think of “Something’s Gotta Give,” you probably picture Diane Keaton in that iconic turtleneck or Jack Nicholson realizing he’s fallen for her against all odds. What you don’t picture? The little Hamptons food store of Ina Garten being part of the movie magic. Yep, you read that right; the beloved Food Network star just revealed that the Nancy Meyers rom-com ended up giving her business its biggest sale ever.
GettyAccording to People, Garten never actually met Keaton before her passing earlier this month, but she still credits the legendary actress (and the film) for a major moment in her career.
Ina Garten: From Hamptons Shop to Hollywood Set
Long before “The Barefoot Contessa” became a household name, Ina Garten owned a gourmet food store in East Hampton by the same name. It was the kind of cozy, charming place you could imagine one of Nancy Meyers’ leading ladies strolling through; so it’s no wonder Meyers herself came calling back in 2003.
“She called the store and asked if she could film in the store. Of course we said yes,” Garten told People. “So we closed the store. It was like a Tuesday in the middle of the winter or something. And we closed the store and she filmed there.”
It sounds like a dream gig, right? But Hollywood being Hollywood, things didn’t quite go as planned. The footage filmed in Garten’s actual store didn’t make the cut. Instead, Meyers had another idea… and it turned out to be a massive win for Garten.
Biggest Sale Ever Thanks to a Diane Keaton Film
When they decided not to use the shots from the store, “[Meyers] asked us to send her two of every single thing in the store, which is what we did,” Garten revealed to People. “It was like the biggest sale ever.”
So, actual stock from “The Barefoot Contessa” store was shipped off so the production could recreate the shop from scratch in a Los Angeles studio. “There are posters from my book on the wall. There are things that are in my store in that scene,” she added.
That recreated version of “The Barefoot Contessa” eventually appeared in the film’s now-famous scene featuring Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson, and Amanda Peet, (plus a few extras) casually browsing the aisles. So even though Garten’s actual store didn’t make the final cut, her brand (and her taste) absolutely did. And let’s be real; who would have expected that?
It’s a full-circle story that feels totally on-brand for Ina: a blend of good fortune, friendship, and a little behind-the-scenes magic. And even though Keaton and Garten never met, their connection through one of the most beloved rom-coms of the 2000s is a reminder that sometimes the biggest wins come from the most unexpected places.
Season 7 of Ina Garten’s Food Network show “Be My Guest” premieres Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 11:00am ET, streaming next day on HBO Max.
