'Barefoot Contessa' Ina Garten Will Meet 6-Year-Old Cancer Patient After All
Ina Garten was cooking up some seriously bad karma along with her culinary creations when she refused -- twice -- to meet a 6-year-old boy suffering from cancer.
Now, according to a statement from Garten, known to many by her TV moniker 'Barefoot Contessa,' the boy has been invited to visit the set of her show.
"Ina became aware of Enzo's story this weekend and will be calling him today," a spokesperson for Garten told ABC News. "She looks forward to inviting him to spend some time with her at the Food Network studios."
The boy, Enzo, is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and reached out to Garten through the Make-a-Wish Foundation for the first time last year, asking for the celebrity chef to take time to cook with him.
His request fell upon deaf ears, however. Garten's rep told TMZ, "As much as [Garten] would like to, it's absolutely impossible for her to grant every request she receives."
The little boy, who specifically requested to meet Garten because he had watched her show while sick in bed, made a second request through Make-a-Wish, which was met with a "definite no."
Enzo, who asked his parents, "Why doesn't she want to meet me?" ultimately chose another wish. The brave little boy is currently taking lessons to prepare for his new dream: to swim with dolphins.
Make-a-Wish issued a statement regarding Garten's refusal of Enzo's request, writing, "From time to time, planning for wishes doesn't turn out as originally envisioned, despite people's best intentions and efforts throughout the wish-granting process."
However, it appears Enzo's original wish will come true after all.


316 Comments