Barefoot Contessa Fits Cancer-Stricken Child Into Busy Schedule
Three days after the internet shamed Ina Garten for rejecting a pediatric cancer patient's Make-A-Wish request to cook a meal with her, the Barefoot Contessa has agreed to fit a 6-year-old leukemia patient into her busy schedule. After twice rejecting Enzo Pereda's request, Ina is now pleading ignorance:
Ina became aware of Enzo's story this weekend and will be calling him today. She looks forward to inviting him to spend some time with her at the Food Network studios.
Ina receives approximately 100 requests a month to support charitable causes that deeply affect peoples' lives. She contributes both personally and financially on a regular basis to numerous causes, including to Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sadly, it's of course not possible to do them all. Throughout her life, Ina has contributed generously to all kinds of important efforts and she will continue to do so.
Enzo's back-up wish—to swim with dolphins—remains his and Make-a-Wish's top priority, but they will try to accommodate the capricious Contessa as well.
Next up: A 12-year-old girl suffering from a broken heart demands a serenade from Justin Bieber. [ABC News, image via Getty]