ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First, I want to thank my amazing literary agent Diana Beaumont. This book would never have happened if you had not decided that I had a story worth telling, and fought to be the one to help me tell it. I could not ask for a better champion.

While I may have supplied the words and pictures, this book would just be a word document and a load of images if it were not for the team at Ebury, especially my wonderful editor Laura Higginson, and Lucy Harrison in production. Also, I want to give a massive thank you to Louise Evans and Two Associates for helping to make this book look so fantastic, inside and out, and to Kay Delves and Kate Parker for their help in making sure my words put their best foot forward.

Writing this book is probably the hardest thing I have ever done, and I know I would never have managed without you, Daddy and Womble. For all of the trips to the supermarket for ingredients, for all of the washing and clearing up, for eating all of my experiments (whether they’ve been successful or not!) and for picking me up all of those times when left to my own devises, I probably would have given up surrounded by piles of dirty dishes and plates of food I was finding it impossible to photograph. I will never be able to thank you both enough for all that you’ve done for me.

Jon, for every single time you’ve read through my manuscripts, looked over proofs and given me real feedback, and not just told me what I wanted to hear. And for always being there, even when sometimes I haven’t deserved it.

To all of my friends and colleagues who have helped me test recipes for this book (and again, for putting up with me while I wrote it, trying everything without complaint!), especially Ed, Eddie, Kathryn, Sherin and Elle.

Charlie, thank you for letting me have the time to write and photograph this book when many other people wouldn’t have done. You had faith in me, taught me how to be a team player and made me a better person for it.

Natasha, Henry and Nicole, for all of your help right in the beginning helping me with pitches and proposals, giving me feedback and proof-reading everything.

And finally, thank you to everyone who clicks through and reads my blog every day. Without you, they probably would have never asked me to write this book in the first place.