While writing a book and developing recipes are solitary endeavors, transforming them into an exciting book certainly takes a village or two. My thanks go:
To Kristen Green Wiewora, editor extraordinaire, for appreciating that Bloody Mary variations really do need recipes, as well as yummy foods to serve with them.
To Joshua McDonnell, the talented designer at Running Press who created the dramatic look of these photos, and whose design makes this book a delight to read.
To Steve Legato, whose talent as a food photographer is only matched by his great taste in jazz.
To Anna Hampton, the gifted food stylist who made all of these libations and nibbles come alive for photography, and her assistant (as well as husband) Rob Hampton.
To Kristi Hunter, whose role of prop stylist included dozens and dozens of various glasses.
To Ed Claflin, my agent, for his constant support, encouragement, and humor.
To my dear family for their love and support, especially to Nancy and Walter Dubler; Ariela Dubler; Jesse Furman; Ilan, Mira, and Lev Dubler-Furman; Joshua Dubler; Lisa Cerami; Zahir and Charlie Cerami; David Krimm and Peter Bradley.
To many friends who enthusiastically volunteered to be taste testers and provided moral support, including Constance Brown, Kenn Speiser, Fox Wetle, Richard Besdine, Vicki Veh, Joe Chazan, Kim Montour, Nick Brown, Bruce Tillinghast, Sylvia Brown, Andrew West, and Bob Oates.
And to Patches and Rufous, my wonderful feline companions, who kept me company from their perches in the office and endorsed all the fish and seafood snacks when permitted.