The kernel of this book idea originated in an email in spring 2015 from Eric Grigorian to John Lee, asking if he’d consider leading a food photography workshop for kids in Armenia through an organization called TUMO. It was through this connection that we met the organization’s director, Marie Lou Papazian, her husband and advisory board member, Pegor Papazian, their dynamic family, and the impressive and generous network of TUMO-ians across the world (thank you, Eric).
It is no understatement that this project never would have happened if Marie Lou and Pegor hadn’t paved the way for us countless times, including our unforgettable trip to Artsakh and Lake Sevan with Marie Lou and our sunrise journey to the genocide memorial with Pegor. We are also forever grateful that Marie Lou and Pegor were able to fight through road blocks to bring John to a hospital after his legs were wounded by a stun grenade at a protest during the 2018 Velvet Revolution.
A big thanks to the countless TUMO-ians who helped along the way, especially: Tatevik Avakyan, Knar Babayan, Samvel Berkibekyan, Zara Budaghyan, Nara Davtian, Saten Grigoryan, Astghik Hambardzumyan, Mariam Metcpagian Zakarian, Maral Mikirditsian, Anna Mkrtchyan, and Lilit Tovmasyan.
A special thanks to Tania Sahakian for connecting John with Ara as we started to research this book.
Our trips in Armenia covered a lot of ground, and for that we are indebted to the translating and insider expertise of Christine Goroyan and Raffi Youredjian, who put up with our many lame lavash puns. Thanks also to Christine for her translation help once we were in California. You guys are forever part of Team Lavash.
Our research brought us into the homes, restaurants, and workplaces of many people in Armenia, where we were shown the kind of hospitality that we’d have only expected if we were family. Thanks to: Gayane Arevshatyan; Jirair Avanian; Grigor Avetissyan; Manoush Avetisyan; Anahit Badalyan and daughter Sona; Vahe Baloulian; Hasmik Bughdaryan; Nara Davtian; Ani Harutyunyan; Emma Harutunyan and family; Lilia Harutyunyan and daughter Mariam; Rita Harutyunyan; Stepan Garaghanyan; Alex Ghazaryan; Robert Ghazaryan; Ghegham Grigoryan; Varduhi Grigoryan; Astghik Gyonjyan; Shake Havan-Garapetyan; Alla Hayrapetyan; Samvel Hayrapetyan; Vahe Keushguerian and daughter Aimee; Arpine Manukyan; Armenuhi Marukyan; Armen Qefilyan; Mariam Saghatelyan; Armine Simonyan; Anna Tatosyan and employees, including Lusine Abrahamyan, Aida Beyboutyan, Liana Grigoryan, Nara Ivanyan, and Hasmik Khachatryan; Yervand Taderosyan; Zak and Arsineh Valladian; and Armine Yeghiazaryan.
Thanks to Halle Butvin for believing in this project from our first chat in Yerevan, for inviting us to the 2018 Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., and for the inspiration behind our chapter titles. Thanks also to the support of Sabrina Lynn Motley and Jackie Pangelinan for making us feel like part of the festival.
Thanks to the many who helped in our research quest when we were home in California, whether it was by finding books and primary sources, answering our many cooking and culture questions, helping us track down recipes, or supporting us in myriad other ways while we wrote the book. Thanks to: David Adelsheim; Noubar Afeyan; Sossie Atallah; Christine Avakoff; Sara Bir; Christine Gallary; Dorothy Garabedian; Darra Goldstein; Clémence Gossett; Mari Guedikian; Harry Henien; Roman Hovsepyan; Roxana Jullapat; Shushan Karapetian; Ellen King; Kathryn Lukas; Kara Plikaitis; Sona Makalian; Tatev Malkhasyan; Marisa McClellan; Andrea Nguyen; the Sargsyan family, including Varduhi, Benik, Ashkhen, Ashot, Armine Gabrielyan, and Johan Gregorian; Karen Scholthof; Molly Stevens; Barbara Sutton; Alanna Taylor-Tobin; Ruzanna Tsaturyan; Karen Zada; and Maggie Zada.
Thanks to our enthusiastic group of volunteer testers and proofreaders. You truly helped us hone our recipes with smart feedback and candid questions. Thanks to: Sandy Binder, Grace Bishop, Bebe Black Carminito, Hannah Davitian, Aaron Herbert, Ching-Yee Hu, Michael Ingram, Diana Kerian, Jennifer Sackett, Mary Ann Shattuck, Sandra Wu, and Annelies Zjiderveld.
At Chronicle, a special thanks to our editor, Sarah Billingsley, for seeing the potential in our book from the beginning and being there when we needed it at the end. Thanks to the entire team at Chronicle, including Rachel Harrell for our book design, Margo Winton Parodi for copyediting, Mikayla Butchart, Karen Levy, and Cecilia Santini for proofreading, Joyce Lin for publicity, Cynthia Shannon for marketing, Magnolia Molcan for editorial oversight, and Tera Kilip and Steve Kim for production. And to Alice Chau for traveling with Team Lavash in Yerevan.
Thanks to Shaunt Berberian for pitching in with an incredible map of Armenia at the final hour.
Our book never would have happened had it not been for the positive feedback and frank conversations with our agent, Amy Collins, who envisioned our title before we had written a word. (Remember when we called it Bread, Bones, and Barbecue?) Thank you.
PERSONAL THANKS:
From John: To my wife Jen for supporting me while I went swashbuckling through Armenia over the years. Ilubb.
From Ara: To my Nene, without your guidance I wouldn’t be who I am today.
From Kate: To the Leahy family for letting us take over the house for a photo shoot, and to Patrick Kim for (once again) letting me get flour all over the place.
For the sources used to research this book, please visit lavashthebook.com.