Iwant to thank Mr. and Mrs. Parsons. They believed in me through Alexander. You came and tasted the food I cooked, then let me run not one, but two restaurants. Thank you for believing in me.
This all started in Alexander’s apartment: an extraordinary place that is all at once a culinary think tank, an artists’ salon, and a historical archive dedicated to the African diaspora. Alexander opened a door for me that no one else would. He gave me a kitchen when it was very hard to become a chef in New York City. But more than that, he gave me the best gift of all. He let me cook the food of who I am. Alexander, thank you for this. My first hire was Alfredo, one of the first guys I trained as a young cook in New York City. Then it was Jessica, my lead line cook, who worked with me at my previous post. I wanted this to be a diverse kitchen (still a rarity in big New York restaurants) made up of people who would balance each other out. Tim Cooper joined us and created this amazing bar program. He also introduced me to Tiffany Minter. Tiffany, I don’t have to say it in a book for you to know that you are our backbone. You understood from day one and were the perfect partner in this project. Thank you, Josh Ozersky: you put me on the map.
The Cecil, where this journey began, was more than a restaurant, it was a home. Every employee who has worked at Cecil, I thank you. This book could not have been written without you. Juan, you are the real MVP. You took all the yelling and the screaming, and you pushed to be one of the best sous chefs working today. I see me in you. Thank you.
The dishwashers! We could not do it without you. Beatrice Stein, we’ve got so much love for you. Lisa Cash, you jump-started us. Thank you for running up and down the stairs every time I needed a manager. Rosa, you have become a Swiss Army knife. The tears we have shared! Luz, Amarando, Roman, Andres, Mamaoud, Melvin, Tsring, Reina, Wendy, you made it happen every day, and I thank you. Love to everyone that has been through this journey, thank you!!!! As ever, push, push, push!!!
I want to thank my wife, Mia Chapman, who showed extraordinary grace and unending support during this process of long nights and early mornings. She tasted recipes and new creations of mine. She is my favorite person to cook for. I love you, Mia.
My parents and my wonderful extended family always believed in me. From culinary school to the frantic opening of two restaurants, their support has been unwavering.
It was amazing to work with Veronica Chambers. She has made me look at food in ways that I never had before. Veronica pulled the emotion I have for these dishes out of me and helped me bring them to the page.
Will Schwalbe, Beatriz da Costa, Roscoe Betsil, and Roberto de Vicq are great minds who helped the book come together in a visual and creative way. And we couldn’t have done this without the passion and support of Kara Rota and Bryn Clark.
