Thanks to my exceptional editor Ann Treistman for helping me to capture the essence of soup making for today’s cooks.
I’m very grateful to my friends who shared recipes, tested and retested them, offered helpful suggestions, and gave me abundant encouragement:
Louise Aaronson,
Lidia Bastianich,
Karen Berk,
Sarah and Glenn Collins,
Jessica Craig-Smith,
Pam Harding,
Terry Holler,
Sally, Gene, and Leigh Kofke,
Susan Kolsby and Eddy Kelly,
Bob Lape,
Mark Melton,
Bruce Robertson and Lynne Van Auken,
Bette Shifman and David Burfoot,
Marcie Sweigert
Rick Waln,
Carole Walter,
Guzin Yalin,
and Mike O’Donnell, the manager of Fairway Market in Harlem, and many of his staff, for so much help.
On the technical side, my thanks go to:
Photographer Noah Fecks for his passion and creativity in capturing the varied textures and colors of these soups, and making them look good enough to eat.
Greta Titelman, the ultimate executive assistant, who kept the show (and Noah) on track.
LeAnna Weller Smith for her exciting contemporary design.
Sarah Bennett—an intern with a promising future based on her enthusiastic assistance during the photo shoot.
Jill Mason for her copyediting
Anya Frankenberg for her artistic makeup
Rosa Herrera for keeping my kitchen so organized and clean.
Finally, I could write an ode to Joy Strang for her tireless and enthusiastic efforts during the writing of this book. Always excited by the results and willing to help me tweak recipes that needed improvement, Joy, I feel so blessed to have had you on my team.