A sense of community, companionship, and a warm, inviting kitchen have always been important to John Phillip Carroll. He loves cooking and baking, and whether dining alone or with friends, he finds meals and their preparation the most pleasant part of any day. When he is not testing and writing pie recipes, John works for Wine Spectator and the Williams-Sonoma catalog, and assists with projects for various California marketing boards. He lives in San Francisco.

Tina Rupp is a New York—based photographer specializing in food and children. She has shot several cookbooks, and she contributes regularly to Food & Wine, Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and Child magazines.