When part of your job requires eating, drinking and visiting food events, I think you can safely say you’re living the dream. This book was originally inspired by a visit to a food festival in a Cornish harbour town, although I stress that everyone in it is completely fictional and I have made up all the incidents!
Huge thanks go to some great people in Porthleven including Julia Schofield, the co-founder of fabulous Porthleven Food Festival, and Chris, chef and owner of Sea Drift restaurant, for their insight and help with the logistical aspects of organising a festival. Also thanks to the renowned Cornish photographer Carla Regler, whose famous photographs of the town in a storm provided inspiration for this story, and to the Albatross Gallery for their help.
The pie-making information was provided by the chef and staff of Buzzards Valley Vineyard restaurant near Tamworth and I can vouch for the fact that their handmade pies are delicious. Nikki, who I met at Lichfield Food Festival and who runs Marvellous Mixes, www.marvellousmixes.co.uk, gave me some great insight into attending a food festival as an exhibitor. My Cornish friend and reader Elisa Leah also helped with some vital local touches.
The ideas for Evie’s creole party dish came from US friends Leah Larson and Shyra Latiolais, while my daughter’s friend Wis suggested the Chinese food that Chloe makes for the party. Thanks also go to my writing friends Liz Hanbury, Nell Dixon and bookseller Janice Hume.
Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks has again worked her special brand of editorial magic, helping me to turn my first draft into the finished book you see and have hopefully enjoyed. I’m so grateful to the entire Avon team including Jo Gledhill, Sabah, Elke, Katie, Molly and Dom, who are always friendly, approachable and brimming with ideas. I’m also lucky enough to have the best agent in the business, Broo Doherty, who has helped guide my career and supported my work for fourteen years now.
Finally, thank you to my amazing family, who have cheered and commiserated with me since I started writing. Lately, it’s been wonderful to share far more highs and lows. I will love you forever, John, Charlotte, James, Mum, Dad and Charles.