Thank you to my husband, Laurent, who supports me with enthusiasm at every turn. I must thank my children, Oscar and Raphael, who are equally as enthusiastic as their father and whose faces grace the pages of this book, their childhood summers echoing my own. Thank you to my mother and father, Georgeanne Brennan and Donald Brennan, who carted me around the world throughout my childhood. And to my brother, Oliver Brennan, who shared so many crazy adventures with me during those childhood years. Thank you to my stepfather, Jim Schrupp, who first read this manuscript with a loving and critical eye. Thank you to my dear friend and co-author, Sara Remington, whose talent and creativity inspires me in countless ways.
—Ethel
Thank you to my sister, Jennifer Remington, who fondly shares my French memories, which wouldn’t be the same without her. I’m so happy I had a partner in these adventures; nothing can replace the sisterly fun, laughter, long drives, and car fights. To Dan Fisher, my life love, my future husband. Thank you for always giving me the support and laughter that I need, and loving me for who I am and what I do. I adore you.
Thank you to Ethel Brennan; I couldn’t ask for a better writing partner and friend throughout this whole process. Not only were you so much fun to be around, but your energy, initiative, and drive were inspiring. Your knowledge and talent is incredible. And you’re a supermom. You get things DONE.
Very deepest thanks to Georgeanne Brennan, as this book would not exist without you either. You mean to Ethel what my parents mean to me, and you created a beautiful, colorful, delicious life for your family in France. Your help and guidance with the recipes and memories was invaluable, and you so generously opened your doors to me in France with endless positive thinking, and a special thanks to your husband, Jim Schrupp, who meticulously read over our manuscript, our first copy editor.
A big thank-you to Steve Block, who gave me wonderful support with my film processing—something that is becoming a lost art. A very special thank-you to my friends Gia Canali, Matt McManus, and Tom Santosusso, I love you guys! You were all so supportive throughout this process, and thank you for lending me some of the best, drool-worthy cameras I have laid my eyes and hands on, specifically that pass-out-gorgeous M6 Leica with the 50mm f1 lens.
Lastly, thank you, thank you, thank you to all the French family friends of my parents, who opened their homes to us Remingtons throughout our summertime journeys. Not only did you feed us with endless, delicious, memorable food, but you also fed our hearts and minds with beautiful history, art, music, and culture. We forever thank you.
—Sara
Thank you to our editor, Jean Lucas, who seemingly let us go wild creatively. We felt supported from the moment we submitted our proposal and are honored to have had the opportunity to write and photograph this very personal culinary biography of our childhoods. Thank you to our publisher, Kirsty Melville, who took a chance with us, gave us unlimited creative freedom, and believed this very personal story was something worth investing in. Thank you to Laurent, who watched the boys while we worked, supporting us all the way. A special thank-you to all the kids we photographed: Oscar and Raphael Rigobert, Marion and Fiona Krauze, Lucie Gayde, Julien Durango, Hugo Kleiman, Oona Grace and Sidney Brennan. Thank you to all of the friends and family who opened their homes to us: Sylvie Kleiman-Lafon, whose Paris kitchen is on the cover; to Ethel’s in-laws, Paulette and Raymond Rigobert, who took such good care of us during our days of photography, both in Paris and Provence; to Laurent’s sister Fabienne Krauze for helping us find locations in the streets of Paris; to Joanne Kaufman and Jim Gutensohn, and Georgina and Deny Fines, for sharing their family homes with us; and to Adèle and Pascal Degremont for joining in the fun. We would like to thank the lovely Anne Deregnaucourt for her Rose de Sables; Marie Palazolli for her gnocchi; her daughter Aileen Palazolli and Roberto for tiramisu; Luc Chaffard for early morning coffee, croissants, and goat herding along the rocky hills of Haute Provence; and to Jean and Chantal Serre, and Josianne Serre, for allowing us to photograph their restaurant and epicerie. Thank you Abby Stolfo, who tested recipes for us at crucial moment during the writing process.
Thank you to Francesca Bautista and Imelda Picherit, our beloved designer and photo editor; we knew from the very beginning that we needed you both to go forward with our vision, or our shared vision as the case may be. Francesca, you are an extraordinary talent, and we are so lucky to have you as a friend, colleague, and collaborator. Bisou to Tristan. We must also thank your very talented mother, Jackie Bautista, who helped us strengthen and clarify our written story.
—Ethel & Sara