I am a firm believer that people are placed in our lives for a reason and a season. I stand on the shoulders of many who have affected my story and have helped mold my ability to share with others, which has given me the powerful testimony that continues to change lives.
Family is everything to me! And though there are so many family members to name, I am thankful for the support of my parents, grandparents, brother and sisters, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I would be remiss if I did not give a special thank you to my mom, Joyce Allen, who served in every role imaginable to help bring this book to fruition.
To all of my friends, thank you for being there for me every step of this journey.
In addition to my family and friends, there are many other people whom I would like to thank:
Grand Central Publishing, you have been patient, dedicated, and supportive through this process. My phenomenal editor, Leah Miller, and her assistant, Katherine Stopa. Lisa Forde, an outstanding art director who did a brilliant job with the cover. Jimmy Franco and Amanda Pritzker, thank you for your PR and marketing genius. Thank you to Sheila Curry Oakes and Karen Murgolo for your hard work and support.
Special thanks to Steve Carlis, Hank Norman, and Rebecca Bent of 2 Market Media, LLC, for helping to make one of my dreams come true—securing a book deal for me with a top publishing house. Steve, you have delivered and continue to deliver on every promise you have made! Hank, you continue to challenge and push me to be the best both on and off camera. And Rebecca, your altruism and dedication—from helping me to test recipes to creating business opportunities—is simply amazing.
David Vigliano and Tom Flannery of AGI Vigliano Literary, thank you for being stellar literary agents and securing me a book deal with a publishing company that believes in my story and is committed to seeing my work to great success.
To my coauthor, Diane Reverand, thank you not only for understanding my story but also for helping me to tell it in the pages of The Spice Diet. Your hard work and dedication behind the scenes has truly been invaluable. I am beyond excited for what the near future has in store for us.
Steve Harvey, in our first year working together, you shared with me that one of your goals is to make 100 millionaires. You then looked at me and said that I would be one of those individuals. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my healthy, flavor-inspired cuisine with you for several years as your personal chef. You continue to help me get my message out, and I am beyond grateful for your continued support.
Gerald Washington, as president of East 112th Street Productions, the Steve Harvey World Group, and the Steve Harvey Radio Network, you invested in building my reputation as I served as Steve Harvey’s personal chef. By your connecting me with 2 Market Media and others, you helped me to bring my story and recipes to the lives of others. You are a man of your word, and I appreciate your help in seeing this book to completion.
Stephen Hamilton, one of the top food photographers in the world, thank you for overseeing the most amazing photo shoot for the cover. David Raine, thank you for managing and shooting the jacket image that visually sums up the essence of The Spice Diet.
Tanya Burke of Beyond Pursuit, you have supported me since 2009 and have been a great friend and mentor. You have worked with me in more capacities than I can imagine, from marketing and brand director to operations and official taste tester. Your valued support has helped mold me into the individual I am, and I look forward to what the future has in store for us.
Don and Liz Thompson, CEOs of Cleveland Avenue, LLC, and the Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education (CAFÉ) respectively, I want to thank you beyond measure for your friendship and support! You both saw and experienced my passion for food and brought me on board to help bring your vision for your food-and-beverage accelerator and restaurant to life. You have poured into me on so many levels and of course support my dreams—The Spice Diet being one of them. Cheers to our present and the glorious future we have ahead.
Carl Ankrum of The Media MD, you have been and continue to be a great friend who has supported my culinary journey for years. From photo shoots to videography work, you are always there when I need you.
Special thanks to Adam Zickerman, author of Power of 10, high-intensity fitness pioneer, and owner of the InForm Fitness gyms for bringing your brilliant expertise to health and wellness. The easy, simple, and approachable workouts you created for The Spice Diet are an ideal addition to my diet plan.
Nathan Carter, MD, the level of expertise you brought to The Spice Diet as a board-certified specialist in general and addiction psychiatry is truly invaluable. Offering my readers a perspective of food addiction from your vantage point is priceless for bringing a nice balance of information for the readers.
Kenya Thomas, MD, a friend for more than twenty years, thank you for supporting me throughout my entire journey. You know me better than most. Your expertise as a physician, food scientist, and nutritional biochemist has been a great support. Words cannot express how much you mean to me.
Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, I am inspired by your work regarding food access and nutrition on an international level. I am also all smiles that you found my food to be full of flavor and nutritious. Mission accomplished.
Steve Pemberton, vice president and chief diversity officer of Walgreens, thank you for your friendship and support. It is humbling to be able to share my expertise with such a respected company that values health and wellness.
Manika Turnbull, PhD, vice president and chief diversity officer Health Care Service Corporation, you are one of kindest and most gracious individuals. Thank you for your and your organization’s support of The Spice Diet.
Sharone Anderson, my associate chef at Cleveland Avenue, LLC, you have been a true right hand for me and I am beyond thankful. Starting out as my intern and developing into an integral part of the Cleveland Avenue team, you have grown impressively. We share many culinary values. I appreciate your support and help through my book writing process. Your future in the culinary world is bright, so buckle up and get ready.
Leslie Anderson, senior vice president business banking, US head of treasury and payment solutions for BMO Harris Bank, you continue to support me and my dreams, and I am thankful for your sharing your network and helping me see many successes.
Heidi Barker, chief communications officer for Cleveland Avenue, LLC, your creative way with words and eye for detail are outstanding. Thank you for helping me perfect the messaging for The Spice Diet.
Quincy Bonds of Graphix by Dzine, your graphic design work has helped to give my brand and The Spice Diet a beautiful visual identity.
Kourtney Gray, PhD, as my best friend and major supporter you have been the person who does not tell me what I want to hear but what I need to hear. You have been #TeamJudson from the beginning.
John W. Lee III, as a wonderful mentor and friend, you were my first client in 2005 and served as my guinea pig as I launched my creative, healthy, and flavorful recipes. I am beyond grateful for your continued support.
To my pastor, Dr. Matthew Stevenson of All Nations Worship Assembly, thank you for pouring into me exactly what I need so that I am able to pour into the lives of others.
Kimberly Hubbard, you have been an awesome friend, supporter, and mentor to me. Thank you for introducing me to your network of influencers. Many of these relationships have lead and continue to lead to amazing opportunities for me.
Gina Ciacco, as an outstanding event coordinator you have worked with some of the top authors, publishing companies, and organizations to deliver stellar programming. Thank you for sharing your network with me to secure book signing events for me.
Megan Ford, you have supported me from day one, offering yourself and organization as a resource to help advance my career. Thank you for continuing to invest in my success.
David Clark, one of my best friends. Thank you for your support and being that friend that is just as creative as I am. To the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), thank you for being a family to me and supporting me. It is an honor to offer a healthy cooking demonstration at our national conference every year. I am thankful that the organization has committed to helping me make The Spice Diet a true success.
I am honored to serve as a national board member of the American Liver Foundation (ALF) and thankful for the organization’s continued support.
Nicole Pittmon of Nicole Marie Events, you are a friend with a remarkable eye for detail, design, and event management. Thank you for all your help. I look forward to having an amazing book launch event designed and coordinator by the one and only.
Darwin Brown, thank you for your overall support during the writing of The Spice Diet. Your writing savvy, understanding of food, and legal expertise were priceless.
Kimberly Nash, you are truly a special person in my life. Thank you for being an amazing friend and supporter.
Juan Teague, you never hesitate to help and support me, and for this I am truly thankful.
To my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and my brothers of Tau Chapter, thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement.
Sam and Donna Scott, James and Mary Bell, Linda Johnson Rice, Keith and Natasha Bevans, Arnett Faulkner, Jim and Sandy Reynolds, Megan Ford, Liz Wilson—thank you to the moon and beyond for your unwavering support, encouragement, and mentorship.
Lisa Clayborn—special thanks for your PR expertise along the book journey.
I cannot physically name the countless friends, family members, and colleagues who have helped and supported me through my journey. I love you all!