To Geoff Woodley, my guy, who supported me throughout the entire cookbook-creating process, from when it was just an idea floating around our living room until it was a real book to hold. You’re my favorite person (in general and) to cook for and with. Thanks for your many hours of helping me with my proposal, prop shopping, grocery buying, brainstorming design ideas, and photography, and for eating lunch for dinner for several months in a row as I powered through the recipe testing phase. I know you’re always there to cheer me on. Thank you.
To my literary agent, Carly Watters, your guidance and business wisdom continue to amaze and inform me, and your attention to and understanding of this project (our third together!) helped me focus and thrive. I’m so happy to have you and P.S. Literary Agency on my side. Thank you.
To Bhavna Chauhan, my editor, who is one of the most brilliant, beautiful, funny, and encouraging women I’ve ever met and, I hope, a friend for life. You “got” this book (and me) from the very beginning and trusted me to be my creative self. Thank you.
To Robert McCullough and the Appetite by Random House and Penguin Random House Canada crew, for your support, approval, and passion for my cookbook. Your drive and excitement to make and spread the word about truly awesome books inspires me. I’m thrilled to be at home there. Thank you all.
To Jen Griffiths, my ace book designer, whom I’ve been on the same page with since our first meeting. You somehow read my mind, designing the book I’ve always dreamed of. You’re so talented and I’m so lucky. Thank you.
To my yummybeet.com community and cookbook readers, your support makes it possible for me to do what I love. The positive space you’ve helped create brings me a ton of happiness, every single day. It was your photos of my recipes, cooked by you, how you tweaked and made them your own, brought them for lunch, and meal-prepped them for the busy week ahead that inspired Modern Lunch (really!). Thank you.
To my family, the Days, Dad, Kirsten, Stewart, Katie, Chloe, and Ava, for your love, emotional support, and excitement. I have the best family in the world. And to my new family, the Woodleys, Jane, John, and Laura, for your hugs, interest, love of food, and love of me. Thank you all.
And to my friends, for making me laugh, encouraging me, and bringing tons of fun to my life. Thank you.