Podcast Summary: Be My Guest with Ina Garten

Episode: Eric Ripert
Date: November 3, 2024

Main Theme

In this warm and candid episode, Ina Garten welcomes four-star chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin into her East Hampton home. Together, they reflect on childhood food memories, the philosophy of simplicity in cooking, the evolution from temperamental chef to Zen leader, and share two showstopping recipes—Ina’s French apple tart and Eric’s iconic seared tuna. Listeners gain a rare behind-the-scenes look at the artistry, discipline, and heartfelt stories that make Ripert both a culinary legend and a thoughtful mentor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Welcoming Eric Ripert: Childhood Memories & Comfort Food

• [01:33] Ina introduces Eric, serves him a French apple tart—chosen for its nostalgic comfort and family significance.

• They reminisce about traditional apple tarts and Eric’s upbringing in France and Andorra, highlighting how childhood foods shape lifelong culinary passions.

  • Notable Quote:
    Eric Ripert [07:16]: “And that tart looks beautiful… and I ate the entire tart. Every day. Oh, my God, that’s incredible.”

• Ina offers various toppings out of respect for Eric’s French and Italian heritage—crème fraîche, mascarpone, or vanilla ice cream. Eric’s choice? “I’m going to go for crème fraîche. Always a Frenchman at heart.” (07:34)

• Eric is particularly moved by Ina’s gesture of serving Sauternes wine—Château d’Yquem—with breakfast, calling it “more than perfect. I can have breakfast like that every day of my life.” (08:19)

Eric Ripert’s Culinary Journey and Philosophy

• On Achievements and Motivation:

  • [11:46] Ina outlines Eric’s impressive accolades, then asks if he ever anticipated such success.
  • Eric [12:08]: “I never thought so. I never really look for stars and rankings…if we get absorbed too much into competition…we get distracted. Let’s focus on the food.”
  • Eric [12:42]: Knew from age five he wanted to cook, inspired by his mother’s early example of creating special experiences at every meal.

• On Dish Creation:

  • [13:10] Eric details how he builds a dish by selecting a “star” ingredient, then removing anything nonessential to elevate that element—often fish at Le Bernardin.
  • Eric [14:11]: “Acidity creates a contrast with the delicacy of the halibut...you put a drop of lemon juice… suddenly it elevates everything.”

• Attention to Detail:

  • [15:28] Ina marvels at how Eric insists on perfect, crispy-skinned fish—otherwise, the plate goes back.
    • Eric [15:49]: “I look at it and right away I know if it’s crispy or not...you should hear [a tap], that means it’s crispy.”
  • [16:09] On tasting dishes: “The eyes give you a lot of information, but the flavor, you can’t. Ultimately, seasoning, you can’t [see]. I have to try.”

• Early Career Obstacles:

  • [17:27] Eric recalls sending letters to every 3-star Michelin in France; only Latour d’Argent called—"And they said, ‘tomorrow.'"
    • “My mom took me to the airport and I flew to Paris with my suitcase. And I was 17 years old.” (17:50)

• Success and Mindset:

  • Eric [18:24]: “Having no doubt is the only way, because if not, you procrastinate. I strongly believe that your mental energy is not directed properly, and you cannot build what you wish to build.”

• On Food Trends:

  • [18:42] “Trends are poisonous, and you lose your soul if you start to follow the trends.”

Kitchen Disasters & Life Lessons

• [19:09] Ina asks about kitchen disasters. Eric tells a humorous but harrowing story of accidentally lighting 36 ducks on fire at Latour d’Argent:
  • “Huge flames coming out of the vents and dark smoke...the ducks became small like a piece of charcoal.”
  • He wasn’t fired: “I made a mistake. That was a big mistake.” (19:48)
• [19:56] Both agree that “the mistakes that we make are the best teachers.”

Eric Ripert’s Transformation & Leadership

• Buddhism’s Influence:
  • [20:06] “When I was a young chef, I had a temper...I was emulating some of my mentors...abuse in the kitchen and screaming was part of being in a kitchen and everybody was glorifying the chef that was doing it. So I was an angry chef, and I was miserable. My team was miserable.”
  • Life-changing moment came when he reflected: “I know why. It’s me. I’m an angry chef. It’s not good. I have to change.”
  • [20:38] The next day, Eric declared a new era at Le Bernardin, creating a team that’s "very peaceful, not stressed," and making sure everyone is happy to be there.
  • “I feel very lucky to live my passion and to live from my passion.” (21:43)

Work-Life Balance & Discipline

• [21:54] Ina and Eric share strategies for balancing intense careers with personal life.
  • Ina carves out specific time for herself and her husband, Jeffrey: “I say no a lot because I really love having a life.” (22:16)
  • Eric divides his life into a metaphorical pie: “One part is dedicated to the restaurant…one part to the family, and one part...to myself...when I go back with the family, I’m a better family member…the work supports the family. So it’s very similar to what you just said.” (23:16)

Cooking Demonstrations and Techniques

French Apple Tart (Ina)

• [02:14–05:54] Ina walks listeners through her French apple tart recipe with clear, approachable steps, emphasizing simplicity and childhood nostalgia. (See episode for full detailed method.)

Seared Tuna with Soy-Ginger Vinaigrette (Eric)

• [27:52-35:59] Eric leads Ina through his famed seared tuna dish:
  • On Tuna Selection: “You want this kind of color. Neither too red...it shouldn’t be chocolate brown...it should be ruby color. And then for any kind of seafood...should be no smell, or high tide, never low tide.” (30:27–31:13)
  • Herbs de Provence should be lavender-free: “Lavender is good to put in a bag and go in a drawer with the socks—but not on my tuna!” (32:01–32:15)
  • Cooking: Sear quickly for a rare center. “That was really fast. That was amazing. I can’t wait to taste it.” (33:44)
  • On plating: “It’s not about being showy. It’s just about doing it beautifully.” (35:44)
  • Julia Child anecdote: “Once we had Julia Child…we did a seared tuna salad for her…she said, ‘the menu was delicious, except you forgot to cook the tuna.’” (32:31–33:04)

Personal & Family Cooking

• [36:36] Eric shares that he cooks often for his family, inspired by the south of France, Spain, Italy, and always according to the season. “Always very simple, like what we have right now. Good product. And that’s it.”
• Describes making paella in the garden as family fun, inviting Ina to join: “We make it together.” (38:08)

Closing Moments

• Ina: “Thank you so much for coming.” (38:15)
• Eric: “Promise you’ll come back.”
• Ina: “I’m not leaving.”
• Warm laughter and mutual appreciation close out the episode.

Memorable Quotes

• Eric Ripert [12:08]: “If we get absorbed too much into like competition and the ratings, we get distracted…let’s focus on the food.”
• Ina Garten [15:11]: “A splash of red wine vinegar, and everything just sang… It just makes such a difference.”
• Eric Ripert [21:43]: “I want to share the knowledge that I have with my team. I want to have a voice for our industry…I feel very lucky to live my passion and to live from my passion.”
• Eric Ripert [22:53]: “I decided that my journey will be like a pie, and I divided the pie in three parts...the family supports me to be a better chef and a better boss at work.”
• Ina Garten [35:44]: "It's not about being showy. It's just about doing it beautifully."

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Childhood & Comfort Food: [06:36–08:31], [16:38–17:18], [24:20–25:00]
• Eric’s Culinary Philosophy & Early Career: [12:08–18:24]
• Crisis in the Kitchen / Ducks on Fire Story: [19:09–19:56]
• Transformation & Buddhism: [20:06–21:43]
• Work-Life Balance: [21:54–23:16]
• Ina’s French Apple Tart Recipe: [02:14–05:54]
• Eric’s Seared Tuna Masterclass: [27:52–35:59]
• Julia Child Story: [32:31–33:13]
• Cooking with Family & Paella: [36:36–38:13]

Tone and Atmosphere

The tone is candid, joyful, and collegial—filled with admiration and gentle humor. Both hosts share life and work lessons with humility and warmth. It’s like eavesdropping on two world-class chefs, but the atmosphere is welcoming, full of practical wisdom and relatable personal stories.

Summary

In this episode, listeners join Ina Garten and Eric Ripert for a memorable culinary and personal exchange. From tart to tuna and philosophy to kitchen misadventures, it’s an intimate, insightful, and delicious journey through the heart, mind, and kitchen of a true culinary great—made all the more special by the host’s trademark hospitality.