We are very grateful to Michael Sand and everyone at Little, Brown and Company who worked so hard on The Nolan Ryan Beef & Barbecue Cookbook, and to Chef Cristobal Vazquez for bringing this book to life with his inspired work on the recipes. A special thanks to David Vigliano, David Peak, and Matt Carlini at Vigliano Associates.
The authors offer heartfelt thanks to Charlie Bradbury, the folks at Nolan Ryan Beef, and the entire Ryan family, especially Ruth, Reid, Reese, Wendy, and Jean Ryan-Smith, for their invaluable help and support. Sincere thanks to Mike Smith at the Paris Coffee Shop in Fort Worth, Texas, for sharing his classic pecan pie recipe. And, finally, thanks to the creative team of photographers Geno Loro and Kelly Gavin, designer Amber Brown, and food stylist Angela Yeung; and to our support staff of Sherry Clawson, Courtney Krug, and Amy Beam.