THANKS

As an apprentice in the world of writing cookbooks, I must admit I had no idea what I was in for! I have learnt so much and have grown so much as a chef in the process. This has been an amazing experience and I am very grateful to have had all of the immense support and unconditional generosity of many friends, colleagues and artists who have helped me write this book.

Thanks to the team at Penguin Group (Canada). Special thanks go to my editor, Andrea Magyar, for all of her guidance, expertise and enthusiasm for this book, talented art director, Mary Opper, who made this book look absolutely incredible, managing editor Mary Ann Blair and copy editor Shaun Oakey.

Thanks to Kathleen Finlay, for your stunning photography and commitment to get the best shot every time. You are so talented and I am very grateful to have worked with you on this book.

Thanks to Sasha Seymour, for making the food look so beautiful and delicious with the great style and magic that you possess.

Thanks to Lora Kirk for your culinary expertise, professionalism and hours of recipe writing, testing and food styling. What fun it was! I could not have done this without you.

Thanks to Eliza Clark and Ivy Knight, for your beautiful words and for capturing the extraordinary places I visited and the amazing people I met.

Thanks to Kuba Psuty, you are a talented artist and friend. Thank you for the amazing gift of your beautiful photographs, which I am so thrilled to have included in this book for everyone else to enjoy.

Thanks to Rachel Low, for the opportunity to work together and see a project go from an idea to reality. Pitchin’ In has been one of the most rewarding and incredible chapters in my life and I am very proud of it.

Thanks to Jamie Brown and Lynne Skromeda at Frantic Films for all of your assistance in making this book happen.

Thanks to my entire Pitchin’ In family, past and present, who I’ve shared so many adventures with on the road and behind the scenes making our show so great, memorable and fun: Meagan McAteer, Kristoff Rochon, Mikey Kulinski, Kuba Psuty, Brett Shama, Sarah Peddie, Mark Toller, Adam Hurlburt, Ben Sulzenko, Stefanie Haist, Donna Luke, Ivy Knight, Karina Baylon, Cheryl Zalameda, Leslie Lucas, Eliza Clark, Nikki Chow, John McMullan, James MacDonald, David Yohans, Steve Perrett, Julie Martin, Mic Forsey, Jacqueline Tam, Jeff Krebs, Michael Beard, Stephanie Fast, Rania Eid, Todd Buttenham, Colin Cooper, Marlen Da Silva, Rita Su, Sergio Alvarado, Jennifer Low, Erin Sharp, and Tim Trojian.

Thanks to Daniel Gelfant for always being there for me. Thank you for your vision and all that you give to our show (including your recipe suggestions!). I love that you are a chef at heart and that you love food and cooking as much as I do.

Thanks to Food Network Canada, especially Leslie Merklinger, Emily Morgan, Jaclyn Atwood, and Kathy Cross for the support that you have always given me.

Thanks to my amazingly talented and passionate staff at Ruby Watchco, who inspire me each and everyday.

Thank you, Cherie and Joey, for all of your love and support.

Thanks to all of the passionate farmers and fishermen I met, who have inspired me to cook with all of my heart: Andrew and Jennifer Thompson, Eric Thomas, Billie Dischler, Jamie Conques, Frank Gillis, Stanton Seamone, Lavena Crocker, Danny Williamson, Deborah and George Amrein-Boyes, Andrew and Jenn Harrison, Captain Corey Rock, Kevin McLarren, Stephen Ashley, Rob Rudel, Lee Grey, Dewey Lucero and family, Mary Mitchell, Teena and Mike Borek, Dave and Flo Minar, Doug Lau, Nancy and Bill Wilkie, Ron Joyce, Sebnem Ucer, Stephen Stewart, Ralph Bernard, Goldie Gillis, Lutz Zilliken, Kay Dinh, Gary Sweetnam and Cynthia Austin, Jim Iamurri, Vic MacKenzie, Cid da Silva, Gerry and Doris Hussey, Cam Beard, Rosemary Wotske, Fred and Ingrid de Martines, Joe Terzoli, Vince Terzoli, Ercole Terzoli, Vernon and Beth Hiebert, Robert Faircloth, Tim Montz, Jake Montz, Tracy Cornwell, and Lisle and Mary Lou Babcock.

My most heartfelt thanks to Lora, for your love, support, passion, talent, laughter, commitment, love of food and wine, and respect for those who give us beautiful ingredients to cook with. We have created a beautiful book together.