I’m Cassandra Schultz, owner and operator of Cassandra's Kitchen. Growing up in East Hampton, NY, as one of five kids, I started working at Ina Garten’s specialty food store, The Barefoot Contessa, at just 14. My first job was filling glassine bags with Ina's home-baked cookies and serving fresh coffee to customers. My mother, Barbara, was Ina’s longtime kitchen assistant and friend, and through her, I developed a love for cooking and baking—alongside my passion for volleyball, the beach, and the mountains.

I have a deep appreciation for simple, beautiful, classic kitchenware, and I’m not one for gimmicks or gadgets. What I value most are high-quality pieces that stand the test of time. Inspired by Ina Garten’s influence over the years, I launched Cassandra’s Kitchen in 2008, creating a space where fans of the Barefoot Contessa could find her beloved kitchen products all in one place.

When I’m not sourcing recipes or new items for the shop, I’m with my family—usually in the car driving the kids to sports or in the kitchen preparing quick, family-friendly meals. Living in Bluffton, South Carolina, feels just right for me, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.