acknowledgments

This is my eleventh cookbook, and I have been blessed with a production team of talented professionals. Thank you to the production crew:

Woody Wolston of team “RoseWood,” who is an equal partner in every aspect of this book and who was the stylist for all the step-by-step photos; Stephanie Fletcher, editor, who gave me the idea for this, my dream book, of step-by-step photos and, with full support and extraordinarily detailed attention, expertly shepherded it to completion. Matthew Septimus, gifted photographer and generous dear friend, who joyfully made the long trip from Brooklyn so many times to capture all the exceptional step-by-step photos here on a mountaintop in Hope, New Jersey (and his daughter, Nora, who took the photo of our production group); Marina Padakis Lowry, dedicated managing editor and baker, and Jamie Selzer, production editor; Alison Lew of Vertigo Design NYC, who after three books has become a valued friend, and who created the book’s inspired design and layout; Suzanne Fass, copyeditor par excellence. Deri Reed, proofreader, and Zach Townsend, a second set of eyes and delightful friend with whom I’ve shared many an adventure here and in France; Erin Jeanne McDowell, amazing food stylist for the beauty shots and even more amazing friend; Erin’s assistant, Katie (Kaitlin Wayne), who came from Toronto, Canada, to assist with the beauty shots; Joan Shapiro, indexer; Jessica Gilo, marketing director, and Sari Kamin, publicity manager, whose creativity and enthusiasm made the most of our book promotion.

Special Mentions: Dan O’Malley of American Products Group, who launched Rose’s Signature Series and has become a valued friend; my longtime friends Robert and Nicole Laub of Harold Import Co., who help me produce and market my Rose Levy Beranbaum bakeware line of specialty baking equipment, especially Rose’s Perfect Pie Plate. Organic Valley, who supplied me with vast quantities of the best butter and dairy for all the recipe testing; Nita Livvix of Clabber Girl, who supplied the best Rumford baking powder and cornstarch; Gretchen Goehrend of India Tree, who unearthed and supplied the most delicious sugars. Valrhona and Guittard, who supplied their fabulous chocolates; Mary Rodgers and Rachel Litner of Cuisinart and Beth Robinson of KitchenAid, whose mixers and food processors make us all better bakers; Mike Quinlan of Nordic Ware, whose excellent pans create beautifully shaped cakes.

Brad Pile of USA Pan, whose cake and loaf pans are without equal; Michael Taylor of Brød & Taylor, whose bread proofer is a great asset for bread baking; Mark Kelly of Lodge, whose cast-iron pizza pan makes the best pizza and crisp bottom crusts for pies and tarts; James Baldwin of Stretch-Tite, for his miles/kilometers of the best plastic wrap; the wonderful Giovannucci/Esposito family of Fante’s and the lovely Lisa Mansour of NY Cake, all of whom make it possible for the home baker to have access to high-quality commercial equipment and imported specialty pans.

This book has been enriched by the inspiration of longtime friends and colleagues.

I am deeply grateful to our international community of bloggers, both professional and home bakers, for their continuous encouragement through their appreciation and feedback. Lisa Yockelson, esteemed colleague and dearest friend, who generously contributed her chocolate biscotti recipe. Sally Longo, who contributed one of her special family recipes—the fabulous Date Nut Roll Cookies; Lindsay Stewart, pastry chef at Natirar, who inspired the Milk Chocolate Caramel Tart; Hector Wong, who remains a great springboard for creative ideas; our neighbors the Meneguses, for their truly free-range eggs and true friendship.

Love to my parents, Lillian Wager Levy and Robert Maxwell Levy, who are always with me in spirit and from whom I derived my love of profession and work ethic. I especially thank them for giving me Michael Levy, the best brother in the world.

Unending and infinite appreciation always goes to my husband, Elliott, who continues to give me 100 percent enablement and invaluable wisdom.