The Kennedy Center has officially launched “Nourish,” a month-long program focused on arts and well-being. The program urges audiences to explore the vast impact of food and artistic expression in our lives, based on the belief that the full spectrum of the arts have a deep and lasting impact on our holistic well-being. Culinary icon Ina Garten kicked off the activities with a dynamic discussion of her newly released memoir, “Be Ready When The Luck Happens,” moderated by award-winning author Ann Patchett. Garten, who branded herself as “The Barefoot Contessa” fondly reminisced about life as a Washingtonian in the ’70s, recalled working for the White House Office of Management and Budget and entertaining at her Dupont Circle rowhouse.

Garten’s husband Jeffrey worked in the State Department, earning his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. Garten started out with the Federal Power Commission and later worked for the White House and was eventually a budget analyst. She wrote the nuclear energy budget and policy papers for Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter.

When the floor opened to audience participation, one member asked where Garten had her best-ever cheeseburger. Garten was delighted to share, saying she had it that afternoon, referencing her lunch at Bourbon Steak.  The conversation was the first stop on Garten’s nationwide book tour.