MANY PEOPLE HELPED WITH MY RESEARCH AND LED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GET THE ANSWERS I NEEDED FOR THIS BOOK.
Thank you to my mother, Patty. Honestly, I probably first started writing this book in the 1970s, when I would drag my mom to historical venues with me. In 1978, I recall taking her to C. C. Brown’s for a hot fudge sundae and knowing deep inside that it would be my last time there. I also took her to auctions at places like the Ambassador Hotel—not to bid on items at the auction, but to soak in the history within those walls. I thank my mom for spending all of those hours with me.
My family and friends: Neil for always supporting every endeavor I think up. Dad for the lifetime support and guidance. Monica and Pattie for being great sisters. Jonathan for being a true friend. Trina, the greatest publicist ever. Also, Karen Tripson, my longtime friend who helped with this project (and many others), from its inception through its many transformations. Karen, I thank you for the many hours you helped me on this.
The entire Los Angeles Times family, past and present. Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper: if it weren’t for these two “nosy” columnists (they were the TMZ of the day), I would not have had half of the information in this book. Russ Parsons: besides being a terrific food writer, Russ has a knack for telling the life story of chefs, which I needed many times in my research. Ruth Buzzi: Ruth contributed her knowledge of the 1980s in Hollywood when I was looking for answers and only finding walls. It pays to remember whom you are introduced to when you’re twenty-one.
All of the restaurant families I consulted, especially the Carlos ’n Charlie’s staff. So many provided stories and pictures from their life in the 1970s, especially Jenni Sisk, Susan Ross, Linda Guillemette, and J. Lynn McCall. Marje Bennetts, former publicist for Chez Jay’s, was a wealth of knowledge.
The Los Angeles Conservancy, Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, Los Angeles Public Library (especially Emma, for all the hours spent in the menu collection and rare books room, and Christina Rice in the Herald Examiner collection), the City of West Hollywood, and Sue Mossman at Pasadena Heritage. Also Deborah Brackstone, archivist for the Paul Revere Williams Project at the University of Memphis.
All of the cooking schools and cruise ships that allowed me to test the recipes to see if they would work in a classroom setting and if the book idea was feasible, including Wendy and Mary at the Cook’s Warehouse stores in Atlanta, Georgia, Larry Oats at Kitchen Art in West Lafayette, Indiana, and Erica Lamoureaux, former manager of the Culinary Arts Centers aboard the Holland America Line ships. Also Christopher Spano, the best librarian in the seven seas, and cruise director Gene Moimoi Young, whom I have sailed with around the world.
My great news family at XETV’s San Diego Living: the greatest producer, Tiffany Frowiss; my current anchors, Lynda Martin, Clint August, Renee Kohn, Laura Cavanaugh, and Jacqueline Bennette; and my former anchors, Marc Bailey, Heather Myers, Kim Evans, and Chase Cain. All of the floor managers that keep the “bumper shots” and my segments looking great, including Brent, Juan, and Jonah.
Lastly, I want to show appreciation to the team at Santa Monica Press: Jeffrey Goldman for his insight and love of L.A. history; Kate Murray for keeping my voice in the editing process and helping make this manuscript perfect; and Amy Inouye for making this book a beautiful work of art, not just a cookbook.