Ina Garten rejects six-year-old cancer patient

Ina Garten

/ CBS

(CBS) - The Barefoot Contessa stepped in hot water when she turned down a request from a six-year-old cancer victim. The young boy's wish was to cook a meal with Ina Garten, but she reportedly declined the offer due to scheduling conflicts.

Young Enzo was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of three, a potentially life-threatening disease that is found most often in young children. Enzo is a Food Network fan, and hoped to someday meet the celebrity chef. The Make-a-Wish Foundation reportedly approached Garten twice to arrange a meeting with the boy, but she refused the request both times. Enzo's family keeps a blog to support their ill child which tells the whole story.

As news of Garten denying Make-a-Wish surfaced online, people understandably got a little upset at the Contessa. Apparently the uproar reached such a pitch by Monday that Garten agreed to meet Enzo, even inviting him to the Food Network studios, according to TMZ.

But it may be too little, too late. Young Enzo isn't just going to sit around waiting for the Contessa to make up her mind. His second (and arguably much cooler) wish is already in the works: swimming with dolphins.

Enzo's family, for their part, have been taking the situation with as much grace as possible. In a post titled "STOP THE MADNESS" they make it clear that neither they nor Enzo have any ill will towards Garten. "PLEASE change the energy from anger to love and support Enzo on the rest of his journey," they write.

[estabwary]

I hope the media is proud of meddling into the private business of a medical patient for their purpose of sensationalism and celeb bashing. I'm sure they think they were doing the kid a huge favor by exposing this while violating his privacy. Everyone needs the stress of their medical conditions to become a public pi?ana after all, don't we? I don't blame the father for canceling the meeting. I hope the family and their son can carry on in peace now.

[frankC52]

Ian,

It takes courage to meet with a person who's terminally ill.

Someone wants you to be there for this child. Please accept this honor and I know you will be great. May the Holy Spirit accompany you on your visit.

Frank

[JeremyHunt142]

Sad Bichon that youwould actually defend Ina in anyway.. Anyone yes has the right to choose what to do with their time indeed. But people with fame should and most do take time to help those in need. Let me point out another star that is busier and a bigger star than Ina will ever be..
John Cena of the WWE.. He is seeing his 200th make a wish kid this weekend.. MMmm John Cena who has a far more busier schedule and allot bigger star has made time for over 200 kids.. Sad that INa hasn't made time for not even one kid..

He rname deserves to be dragged through the mud.

[bichon_frise]

Sad JeremyHunt142 that you do not get the point. Your John Cena of WWE is more than likely exploiting these children for his own gain...look...he sure got your attention and got you to promote him. Ina deserves to be defended because of close-minded people who jump to conclusions without all the facts or information.
Mother and Make A Wish are making a quick buck off this and exploiting the child.

[bichon_frise]

I think that Enzo's mother and the Make a Wish Foundation are exploiting this child's illness for their own gain. Ina Garten has the right to choose what she wants to do with her own time. The general public does not know all the particulars surrounding this incident. The reactions by the masses, fueled by the likes of CBS news, is unfortunate and alarming. More attention needs to be focused on the agendas of this mother and foundation, which is obviously what each wanted. My guess is, once they get it, it will be a case of "be careful what you wish for..." Again, the motives of the mother and Make A Wish Foundation do not seem to be in the best interests of the child.

Hang in there Ina. You still have many loyal viewers who appreciate you.

[bobnjersey]

["PLEASE change the energy from anger to love and support Enzo on the rest of his journey,"]
----------------------------
best of luck to enzo ... and i still love ina ... and will continue to watch her excellent show.

[slatep]

If, in fact, Ina receives 30+ requests to meet with termially ill children, surely arrangements could be made to have these children meet her as a group.
Imagine being able to grant these children's wishes without taking 30 different time frames.
Surely something could be worked out.

[Eleisa_B]

People, people, people, settle down. Wow, talk about group mentality and mass hysteria... I'd hate to see how some of you handle "serious" issues. The fact of the matter is, whether she or her publicist or Billy Bob down the road turned this family down (keep in mind this child is "NOT" at death's doorstep as it was reported in the earlier stories and then grew with each retelling), there is no way possible for her to honor every request she gets every day. No celebrity can do that.

So she's seeing this child now, after her good name has been dragged through the mud like a game of "telephone" gone horribly wrong. What's next. The request tomorrow for the little girl with the ingrown toenail that might get infected? What about the weeks she gets 30 similar requests from kids of various ages? Where are the torches and pitchforks for the gazillion other people who had to turn down similar requests in the last weeks, or days or hours?

Given that she is already an active participant and "friend" of the Make a Wish Foundation... does countless hours of other charity type work... does take the time to meet people, all the while promoting her books and programs - you know, her livelihood, her "J.O.B." (because I seriously doubt she's pulling down Pro Quarterback or Hoop's Star type salary from the Food Network or the books).... my question to all you crazed and enraged book burners, show boy-cotters, fair weather fans and haters...... How much, exactly, is "ENOUGH"? What would satiate your desire to say that she is "worthy"??

[pageen]

Totally agree - thanks to TMZ this has been a witch hunt/lynching party.
Do not know what her looks, food, husband, "gay" friends, where she lives, etc. have anything do do with the subject matter. There are some seriously delusional people commenting about this story that should seek help.

[rwsmith29456]

I hope he decides to swim with the dolphins and this woman, or whatever she is, sinks.

[senca67]

We watch her, but never again.

[jdsmom]

I see her having to buy shoes soon so she can find another job. Popularity ratings are probably going to drop considerably. Hmmm-seems to me no one is too big that they can't MAKE time for a child who is DYING! For shame...I wonder how she sleeps at night. Karma...you get what you give.