Ina Garten Swears By This One Kitchen Essential to Keep Her Counters Clear – and Her Genius Prep Method Is Pure Design Gold
The Barefoot Contessa uses cutting boards to create a substitute work surface – the result is seamless food prep and enviably mess-free counters
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Cucina
Whether you’re passionate about hosting exquisite dinners, experimenting with culinary trends, or perfecting your kitchen's design with timeless elegance and innovative functionality, this newsletter is here to inspire
I've always thought that the way you prepare a meal says a lot about the kind of chef you are – and personally, I've been known to cause a bit of chaos in the kitchen.
I might be proud of the end result, but my cooking process usually involves a lot of dirty dishes and a fair amount of countertop clutter. So, in a bid to minimize the mess, I've been looking to my favorite chefs for guidance – and I've spotted a brilliant hack from Ina Garten.
Recreate Ina's Kitchen Setup
It's easy to see why these cutting boards are Ina-approved: they're sturdy, durable, and totally timeless. Add a couple to your kitchen setup and you'll feel like an expert chef.
I might be keen to invest in a set of matching cutting boards so that I can recreate Ina's look, but I've got a real soft spot for a set like this one. It's something every home cook should have in their kitchens.
End-grain boards are having a moment right now: they strike the perfect balance between function and style, and the checkerboard look is an instant talking point.
If you're looking for a space-saving cutting board that's still big on style, I think this one is your best bet. It's raised slightly on non-slip feet – and I'd use it for both prepping and serving.
With rounded corners and a rich finish, this walnut board is a brilliant everyday piece – though it will still make a statement on your countertops. It's an ideal charcuterie board, too.
If you want to add a dash of cottagecore style to your counters, this charming board is the answer. It's a wonderful example of the scalloped decor trend – with a rustic twist.
As you might expect, every inch of Ina Garten's kitchen has been designed with cooking and entertaining in mind. And since you can spot Ina's Boos Block cutting boards in many of her recent cooking videos, it's safe to say that they're a staple in her kitchen.
In fact, whether Ina is cooking in the main kitchen of her East Hampton home, or in the barn next door – a purpose-built space that she uses for filming and recipe testing – you can be sure that a set of cutting boards will grace the counters.
While both kitchens are complete with spectacular stone surfaces which are more than suitable for food prep, it seems that Ina uses a more refined system.
In a video shared last summer, for example, Ina builds an indulgent mezze platter to share with her neighbours. There's plenty of space on her sprawling kitchen island, but Ina keeps her food prep neat and organized, setting it all out on top of her cutting boards.
Ina uses the boards to chop and prepare all of her ingredients, before balancing a rustic wood platter on top to assemble her feast. The boards are large enough to act as a sleek, raised work surface, while still leaving space on her kitchen island. Once all her food prep is complete, all that's left to do is wipe down the wooden blocks, and Ina is left with blissfully uncluttered counters.
Every kitchen is complete with at least a few chopping boards – I swear by the acacia board set from Williams Sonoma, which is a more budget-friendly alternative to Ina's – but they're often stacked up on shelves or hidden away in cabinets.
I hadn't considered just how useful it is to keep my cutting boards on show, but it makes clean-up so much easier – and it means I'm no longer waging a daily battle against sticky counters. Plus, there's something undeniably professional about pieces like these; while they can lend a rustic look to a kitchen, they can make any setup look professional.
According to experts, Ina's cutting boards represent a wider kitchen trend for 2026: a preference toward spaces which feel both functional and expressive.
'A modern take on tradition is redefining the kitchen, blending the clean lines of contemporary design with the warmth and character of classic craftsmanship,' says designer Mick De Giulio.
Ina's kitchen is a perfect example of the balance between luxurious, contemporary design details (like gleaming stone surfaces) and more artisanal pieces, such as her cutting boards. However, these cutting boards don't simply serve a practical purpose – they also make use of layering, which enhances the visual interest of Ina's space and produces a sense of sophistication.
'Layering materials and finishes creates visual depth and a sense of contrast that feels fresh and intentional,' says Mick.
It might not sound revolutionary, but reconfiguring your countertop setup really can make all the difference. Ina has inspired me to use my cutting boards more efficiently – and reduce mess while I'm at it.
