I hit the jackpot in the family lottery. I’m grateful to my parents, who probably saw this book coming long before I did, and to my brother and sister, who are always there when I need them.
I knew the first time that I spoke with him, while standing in a Target parking lot in Emeryville, California, that Mike Szczerban would be both a great editor and a great friend. He just gets it. Thanks, Mike.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jenny Wapner, as brilliant a cheerleader and as loving a friend as you could find and someone who has believed in Repertoire since the earliest days. I’m also thankful to my agent, Kim Witherspoon, who is the very definition of a smooth operator.
Christian Reynoso patiently cooked Repertoire recipes alongside me for months and months, during which time he became a trusted sounding board and a great pal. Christian, you’re the coolest. Thanks to Paolo Lucchesi for supporting my Repertoire column at the San Francisco Chronicle.
I had many, many testers who believed in this book enough to make these recipes in their home kitchens. Thanks to Marni Berger, Vijay Ram, Bettyann Chun, Tessa Tyler, Jennifer Guest, Anne Jung, Jennifer Baron, Mandy Morris, Leigh Hermansen, Alicia Prodromou, Jessie Li, Katie Colendich, Victoria Wollard, Jennifer Kinion, Hannah Furgerson, Jennifer Durning, Caleb Zigas, Anna Kohl, Brennan Dates, John and Will Gransky, Lena Zuckerwise, Sasha Bernstein, Anne Dailey, and Thea Anderson. The book is better for your help (see, we really tested these recipes!).
Ed Anderson has a mellow disposition, a great eye, and a well-developed sense of sarcasm, all qualities that make him a great photographer (and friend). Thanks for making this book so beautiful, Ed. Next Woodstock Negroni is on me. And thanks to Sam Mogannam, Anne Walker, Lena Corwin, and Josh Dreier, who lent me their homes for photo shoots.
Toni Tajima, you complete my cookbook dream team. Thank you for contributing your considerable talent to the design of this book.
Ellis and Sidney, you are my most honest critics. Long after I’m gone, I hope you’ll cook the recipes in this book for your own kids.
And to my wife, Sarah: None of this would be possible without you. Thank you. I love you.