IT WAS MY JOY and good fortune to work with the talented and professional team that made this book happen, including:
Harriet Bell, my editor and newfound friend. I can’t thank her enough for standing behind this book from day one and pushing me through it with incredible wisdom, good humor, and honesty.
Editorial assistant Karen Ferries. She always had a smile no matter how many times I called or how many questions I asked.
Susan Ginsburg, my agent, lunch buddy, phone and e-mail pal (and Annie Leuenberger, her tireless and incredibly organized assistant at Writers House). I’ve always felt that I was in good hands, and never more so than I do right now.
Mary Ellen Bartley, photographer extraordinaire. Her photos of my food make my mouth water every time I see them.
Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich, Leah Carlson-Stanisic, Mary Speaker, and the entire design team whose sense of style shines through from cover to cover.
Ann Cahn and Karen Lumley and the entire production staff at Morrow. Even lastminute changes never seem to faze these guys.
Carrie Weinberg, Corinne Alhadeff, Andrea Cerini, and everyone at Morrow who takes care of sales, marketing, and publicity. Without them this book might never have made it out the door.
Bethany Chamberlain, Glenn Muhr, Richard Pacifico, Claudia Vosper, and everyone at Spier-NY who never tired of trying yet another batch of peanut brittle, marshmallows, and nougat.
Dan Sanders, my painless dentist who got me through half a ton of sugar and vats of corn syrup with my smile intact.
Mark Scarbrough, my loving partner, best friend, discriminating taster, generous critic, and unwavering pillar of support. None of it would be possible without him.