We had a great time taking this book from idea to reality, thanks largely to the uncommon decency, wisdom, and overall good nature of a small band of dedicated professionals. Our heartfelt gratitude to . . .
Our agent, Judith Weber, for her advice along the way;
Our editors, Beth Wareham and Rica Buxbaum Allannic. Nobody knows how to make a meeting more productive . . . or fun;
Scribner’s publisher Susan Moldow, for her early support and generosity;
Scott Varricchio, Tom’s assistant at Ouest, who procured our ingredients for recipe testing and kept us entertained during the process with bad jokes and good CDs;
The staff of Sobel Weber Associates, especially Anna Bliss, for their smarts and enthusiasm;
Our photographer Beatriz da Costa and her agent Mari Faucher, for their cooperative and collaborative sensibilities;
The food press of New York and the national media based here, for all of the attention and love they showed Tom during the year in which this book was written;
The staff of Ouest;
Our lovely and talented wives—what they’re doing with us, we’ll never know.