You'll have to go shoeless to afford pricey mixes

Food Network Fan · 02-14-2008, 01:05 PM

You'll have to go shoeless to afford pricey mixes
Columbus Dispatch, OH - Feb 13, 2008
Ina Garten of Food Network fame has released a line of products under the Barefoot Contessa brand that is decidedly high-end. A layer-cake mix sells for $14.95, as do the mixes for a chocolate ganache cake and a sour-cream coffeecake. A pancake mix goes for $6.95 -- a relative bargain.
The mix for chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting costs $10.95 at Crate & Barrel and Sur La Table.
A high-priced cupcake mix that still requires eggs and butter should be considered criminal -- except it's really good.
Unlike the products of other celebrity chefs, such as Wolfgang Puck, Garten's goodies live up to her reputation.

Food Network Fan · 02-14-2008, 01:05 PM

You get what you pay for if you can't do it yourself.

MayQueen · 02-14-2008, 05:05 PM

Oh last week's BC, Ina was saying how she used to charge $40 for a cheesecake back in the 1970s and she couldn't believe anyone would pay that but they did. I guess her philosophy hasn't changed.

BerryBaby · 02-14-2008, 05:08 PM

Well, I buy the 99 cents Pillsbury cake mixes, just to have on hand. I'll add almond extract to the batter and you can't believe what a huge difference it makes.

And, no, I didn't get that idea from Aunt Sandy, I've been doing that long before she ever had a show. Maybe she got that from me!

Wonder who told her?

Food Network Fan · 02-14-2008, 05:15 PM

She probably has spies,

in cute little matching outfits that blend into the landscape.

Lucy · 02-15-2008, 10:52 AM

I was in Crate & Barrel over the weekend, and was looking at the mixes. For $10.95 you only get about 10 cupcakes out of the mix. I love Ina and I'm sure that they are good, but no thanks. Especially since she has freely given out the recipe for most, if not all, of the recipes. I wonder how well this line sells?