Acknowledgments

When an idea for something special occurs to me, my excitement builds and I simply cannot wait to tell others about it. Happily for me there were those who not only listened, but shared my excitement and enthusiasm as well: my students and my friends; my “brother and sister,” San and Rosanna Wong; Pamela Thomas, my editor, who more than helped an idea blossom into reality; Lauren Jarrett, whose art makes food live; and Joseph Spieler, my agent, who held my hand a lot. Thank you all.

There were times, as we tested and ate our way through the foods prepared for this book, that my family’s collective patience and stomach capacities were truly tested. I recall one evening in particular, as I walked to the table bearing what must have been the eleventh version of one of the duck recipes, when all four of them quacked in mock rebellion. Thank you for only quacking. I love you, Stephen, Elena, Christopher, and Fred.