Food Network star tells Make-a-Wish Foundation she's "too busy" for 6-year-old cancer patient

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Celeb Chef -- Too Busy for 'Make-A-Wish' Kid

3/25/2011 12:35 AM PDT by TMZ Staff



The Make-a-Wish Foundation had to break some bad news to a 6-year-old cancer patient this week ... when Food Network star Ina Garten informed them she was too busy to cook a meal with the boy ... TMZ has learned.

A family member involved with the Make-A-Wish foundation tells us ... a little boy named Enzo was approached by the organization after he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia three years ago.

Enzo told Make-A-Wish ... he really wanted to cook with the "Barefoot Contessa" host because he would often watch the show with his mother while resting in bed.

M.A.W. approached Garten with the wish last year ... but at the time, she was unable to meet with Enzo due to a book tour. The organization urged Enzo to pick another wish, but he told them he wanted to wait until she becomes available.

We're told the organization went back to Ina this year ... but her team responded with a "definite no" ... once again, citing scheduling conflicts.

A member of Enzo's family says the 6-year-old is heartbroken ... and asked parents, "Why doesn't she want to meet me?"

http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/24/ina-garten-barefoot-contessa-make-wish-child-cancer-leukemia-cooking-chef/

[Ken Burch]

1. Fuck YOU, Ina Garten!

There's no excuse at all for saying no to a Make-A-Wish kid. None. Shame on you.

[Lifelong Protester]

2. well, that's just crappy

makes me want to burn her cookbook...(I own one)

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Now that is one classy lady.

:sarcasm:

[Kali]

4. how sad and shame on her people/her for not handling it better

or for the foundation, not sure

I know we NEVER hinted to any of our kids about any big gift or event until it was in the bag. Enough disappointments in life without letting them think something is going to happen like that and then not.

[bluestateguy]

5. I don't know about you

But if Make a Wish contacted me and said that a child wanted me to in some way be a part of their wish, I'd consider that a great honor, and do everything I could to help.

[dflprincess]

8. That's because you're a decent human being.

I hope this gets enough play that it ends this woman's career - or at least her TV show.

[Angry Dragon]

9. Yes, but you have class, unlike her

[Amerigo Vespucci]

10. You're right, it absolutely is an honor...

...and any "celebrity" worth a damn would see it as one too.

[Angry Dragon]

6. She should be the guest of honor at a PIG roast

[WhiteTara]

7. Sounds like Food Network

should hear from lots of people and maybe her schedule will lighten up when she gets fired. :shrug:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

12. Food Network Contact Form:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/contact-us/package/index.html

At the top right-hand drop-down "What is this regarding?" menu, you can select "Barefoot Contessa," then type and submit your comments.

[Ptah]

15. Thanks for the contact link.

:thumbsup:

[Ken Burch]

16. Contacted them.

n/t.

[madrchsod]

19. done

[demwing]

23. Thanks for the link, Rant Sent! /nt

[WhiteTara]

27. thanks! I'm off to send that woman a note

I can't think that she deserves a title, especially Contessa.

[Forkboy]

30. I won't repeat my email, and I'm betting they won't either.

:)

[Historic NY]

11. How selfish on her part.

[toddwv]

13. Wow, that's pretty cold-hearted by any standard.

I'd rather whip up a bunch of something with Giada anyways...



Or Nadia G from Bitchin' Kitchen:

[HockeyMom]

14. They aren't what they seem

Daughter's friend has worked on shoots for another Food Network Star. On camera she is all sweet and perky. Once the camera is off, she bitches and berates everyone who works for her. "Nasty person" is how she is described by daughter's friend.

[zazen]

17. from what HockeyMom says, maybe Enzo is better off

I mean, what if Enzo now gets his wish and Garten is really snippy with him for 2-3 days? Maybe the staff intentionally delayed them last year because they knew she was insensitive and they were trying to spare him.

Learning how disappointing people can be is one thing if you've got another 60-70 years. If you've got a year, well, maybe it's better not to have to make sense of that.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

25. From the last line of the article (same link as my original post):

We're told Enzo has now made a new wish -- he wants to swim with dolphins ... and he's already taking lessons to make his dream come true.

It will be really interesting i she steps up for damage control at this point. Enzo might be "too busy."

[Ken Burch]

18. Sounds like the Contessa might secretly agree with the "author" of this piece in The Onion

:sarcasm:

http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/theres-no-my-kid-has-cancer-in-team,10737/

(fortunately...THAT guy is fictional...)

[IGoToDU]

20. heres what i sent

to whom it may concern:

i am sure i may not have all sides of the story, but i just read that not once but twice your well known chef ina garten has turned down a dying child's request to meet her. i read that a young boy named enzo, thru the auspices of the make a wish foundation, let ina garten know he wished to meet her (before he dies) but she wasn't willing to make time in her schedule to do so. how horrible if true. i have watched her show many times, but until i hear the entire true story i will not even consider doing so. if she is THAT insensitive i will tell everyone i know not to watch her show. i know you will make your own decisions but i would urge you to do the right thing...which is to not continue to assist a person that mean to be in the public eye. especially since she portrays herself/is portrayed as someone very caring and family oriented. someone who could turn down a dying child who loves them cannot be a good person (my opinion). thanks for your consideration--

[IGoToDU]

21. thank you

also, to the DUer who gave us the info on how to comment. you're a good egg!

[Iggo]

22. Contacted.

Here's my comment:

No time for Make-A-Wish?

How is that even possible?

I can't imagine the amount of money it'd take to keep me away...twice!...from a dying kid who wanted to spend the day with me.

You are about to be the wrong kind of famous.

Do the right thing. Make the time.

[NYC_SKP]

24. "You are about to be the wrong kind of famous."

Oh yeah...

perfect.

:thumbsup:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

26. Another update:

Celeb Chefs to 'Wish' Kid -- We'll Cook With You!

3/26/2011 12:20 AM PDT by TMZ Staff

Two TV chefs have stepped up to the plate -- and have offered to cook for a "Make-A-Wish" kid who was snubbed by "Barefoot Contessa" star Ina Garten ... TMZ has learned.



Food Network star Beau MacMillan and "Iron Chef" Michael Symon are both reaching out to 6-year-old Enzo ... hoping they can fill the void Garten left after she turned down the kid's "wish" to cook a meal together.

In fact, MacMillan tells us he's ready to fly Enzo and his entire family out to Arizona STAT -- put them up in a fancy resort and treat them all to a VIP dinner at his 5-star restaurant.

MacMillan says he also wants to bring Enzo into the kitchen so they can prepare the meal together.

As for Symon -- the chef tells us he'll be in Enzo's home state of Oregon in the very near future and would be more than happy to swing by Enzo's house to "cook a dish" with him too.

http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/26/ina-garten-barefoot-contessa-michael-symon-beau-macmillan-enzo-cancer-make-wish-sick-kid-leukemia-oregon-cook-food-network/

[a la izquierda]

28. Good on Beau and Michael...

it's nice to see them willing to do the right thing.

[Forkboy]

29. Yay for some actual feeling human beings!

I have a word for the Contessa, but I doubt it would go over well here on DU.