Yes, That's a 16-Year-Old Ina Garten in This '60s Beach Throwback

Though we usually find her in the kitchen cooking for Jeffrey or outside snipping glorious hydrangeas from her own garden, the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten, does enjoy a sun-soaked summer beach day.

Just before this past Fourth of July holiday weekend, Garten shared a photo to Instagram that stood out from the other high-res pics she's recently uploaded. Sandwiched between a lobster roll recipe and an American Flag cake reel, is a throwback photo.

In the first image, Garten, sporting a black polkadot swimsuit with her brunette hair in a '60s pouf—is gabbing with a friend as they sit atop the sand. In her lap, a big volume, notepad and pen. Multi-tasking at the beach seems very Ina Garten.

The second pic shows Garten and two friends hanging out on the rocky part of the beach, the ocean waves glistening behind them. Garten, young and tan, is the epitome of summer youth. But I wasn't sure how old Garten actually was in these snaps until I did a little more digging...

Turns out, this isn't the first time this photo has hit Garten's grid. The multi-hyphenate queen of the Hamptons originally posted this same photo in September 2024 with a caption that gives a bit more context to its subjects:

"In researching my memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens, I reconnected with some great friends from high school like Janet Sloatman Files (@janetsfiles ), which was so much fun after 60 years!!

I had a pretty difficult life at home so my friends were like a lifeline for me. They were smart, creative and so supportive. This is a picture of Janet and me on a beach in New Jersey where her parents were vacationing. I had just met Jeffrey so my guess is that I’m writing a letter to him!

Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend. ❤️❤️

My memoir is out on October 1st. You can preorder it wherever books are sold or at the link in bio."

Garten's most recent post, a thoughtful book-club menu as a tribute to her fanbase, is a lovely reminder of just how far the author, business woman and cook has come since that 1960s beachday—14-time author, television star and ever-multi-tasking national treasure.