ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book would not have come about for me were it not for an introduction made by Joanna Savill to Sally Webb, who got this whole ball rolling along with Laura Wilson and the team at Murdoch Books. Thank you to Mark Ashbridge and Lester Martinez who understood the importance of books in the new digital world. I’m always keen to be on the forefront.

Thank you to my publisher, Corinne Roberts and the current Murdoch team, who had the tricky time of making our original dreams a reality. Thank you to Miriam Steenhauer, for getting my ‘look and feel’ right and translating this into her design and to Livia Caiazzo for dealing with all my editorial changes.

Thank you to my management team, Lisa and Caitlin Sullivan, who facilitated the whole operation from my side of things.

Of course, a cookbook could not be complete with out amazing food photographers and I was lucky enough to have two; the ever talented Alan Benson and the awesome Ben Dearnley. Not only great behind the camera but great blokes too — thanks guys.

Thank you to stylists Marie-Hélène and Kate Nixon for making my mess look amazing.

I would have been lost on the food shoot days, throughout the edit and initially, when trying to get my ideas to make sense on paper, if it was not for my right-hand man — chef Dominic Smith. We both have the same food philosophy and love of surfing and having a laugh. Dom makes things flow!

With this book, we tried to do something a little different and we made a couple of videos to go along with some of the recipes. This could not have happened without the help of my best mate Tim Manson – the brains behind the creative vision, shooting and directing and Sam Evans, a young filmmaker who is still in school but has a massive future ahead of him. Thanks also to Daniel “Burto” Payne, man behind the lens, along with Joel Stillone, and to Arum Shim for styling the set. The videos look amazing, guys.

I couldn’t forget my family and friends — Mum and Dad, Madi, Erin and brother- in-law Blake (one of the best taste-testers).

Thanks to all the boys who have been on adventures with me and would know where the food comes from and the stories behind it.

And of course, thanks to my amazing girlfriend Kayla. There have been plenty of ups and downs throughout this process and you’ve always been my calming voice of reason. I love you.

A big thank you to all those who let me put my spin on their favourite recipes, they have definitely added to the book.

And lastly and most importantly, thanks to you for buying the book. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Hayden