In the writing of this book, I had the pleasant task of researching chocolate—how cacao is grown, how cocoa and chocolate are derived, and how chefs and chocolatiers employ this magical ingredient to delight chocolate lovers around the world. Everywhere I turned, providence seemed to intercede.
I chanced upon a Chuao chocolaterie in my neighborhood and fell in love with the spicy Mayan chocolate, Firecracker, and other unique, delicious creations. Chuao’s co-founder, Chef Michael Antonorsi, who attended culinary school in Paris and lives in San Diego, invited me into his professional kitchen. He and his business partner, Richard, are brothers descended from Venezuelan cacao growers. Thank you, Chef Michael, for sharing your abundant joy and extensive knowledge of chocolate.
My sincere appreciation to the team at Valrhona, maker of some of the world’s finest chocolate for chefs and chocolate aficionados. Thanks to Jennifer Butler, Alex Espiritu, Benjamin Figarede, Danielle Fitzpatrick, Colleen Gibson, and Marine Leman. Great appreciation to Peruvian cacao planters Eduardo Espinoza Tamariz and Albino Riega Vizueta. The tasting, history, and technical details helped me weave in authentic details.
To Bennett Zimmerman, with whom I sampled artisan chocolate in Israel, along with Cheryl Rosenstein, and her friend, Deborah Prinz, whose book, On the Chocolate Trail, detailed a wealth of historical research. Chocolate sweetens even the finest friendships.
As for the Italian phrases, mille grazie to my dear friend, actor Luca Della Valle, a native of Naples who helped me appreciate the language, culture, and beauty of the Campania region of Naples. Again, any errors are my own, and my only defenses are chocolate and Piedirosso, Campania’s superb wine. A special acknowledgment also goes to one of Amalfi’s delightful chocolate shops, Cioccolato Andrea Pansa.
My deepest gratitude to Kerstin Schaub, my editor at Goldmann Verlag / Random House in Germany. What a pleasure it is to work together on these delightful stories! And to Erin Bennett, for lending her lovely voice and dramatic talents to the audio narration.
To my treasured family, Eric, Ginna, and Zoë, for their love and unwavering support. And finally, to my readers: Thank you for being part of this delicious, enchanting journey.
Jan Moran
Los Angeles, California