How do I thank all the people who have made it possible for me to write this book? It all started so long ago, and many people have been instrumental in my life as a cook well before this project started and many have directly helped to put this book together. So I guess it all started with my father; he taught me to care about food – thanks Dad. All the great cooks I have met in my life, thank you. My business partner Trish Richards, you gave me the opportunity to live my dream, run a great restaurant and work with the most fantastic, energetic staff you could imagine. To you, the biggest thanks of all. To all at Rockpool, in particular Khan Danis and Catherine Adams – my food would not be half of what it is without that dynamic duo – a very big thank you. Thanks to all my staff in my restaurants and particularly the Qantas team, all you guys know who you are; you keep the dream alive. Thanks Sarah Kodicek for checking the manuscript and asking ‘what did you mean?’ countless times: the book will mean more because of it. Thanks also for being the jack of all trades who keeps all the other projects we have going, actually going. Thanks to Kate Barker for all her help through testing and shooting, and keeping Sarah focused. Thanks Belinda Smith, my assistant, for getting me to the right place at the right time and making all these things possible.
