Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir

In early 2002, one of Garten’s friends shows her an episode of the cooking show Nigella Bites, hosted by British chef Nigella Lawson. Garten is intrigued by Lawson’s casual on-screen demeanor, but again declines to film her own show. After a conversation with Rachel Purnell at Pacific Productions in London, Garten finally agrees to a show on her terms. The show is centered around real-life meals Garten has prepared for Jeffrey’s weekends at home, dinner parties with her friends, and picnics on the beach. The crew also accompanies Garten to grocery stores and markets to help viewers understand how she shops. Although the production is difficult, often involving 14-hour days, Garden eventually discovers a talent for being on screen. Her producer suggests that her nerves are interpreted as authentic excitement.

Meanwhile, Garten continues to supervise construction on the Paris apartment. When an upstairs neighbor accidentally floods a bathroom, causing damage to the apartment’s ceiling, Garten offers to buy out her neighbor and is able to expand the apartment. After two years of construction, Garten finally allows Jeffrey to enter their fully furnished, decorated apartment. She fills the apartment with fresh flowers, bakes croissants, and plays French jazz as he enters.