Stern Michelle - The whole family cookbook : celebrate the goodness of locally grown foods

I could not have written this book without the support of my family, friends, and students. Thank you for having confidence in me, even when my own faltered.

To Amelia and Ari: Thank you for the hours you spent with me in the kitchen, garden, and the farmer's market; for tasting new foods; for learning to clean up our spills; for the hugs you offered when a recipe didn't turn out as expected; and for the love you lavished on me, throughout. It was humbling to see how proud you are of our book, and I hope this has been an experience that you will always remember. Glenn, I am grateful for your appetite and your honesty. Thank you for all of the waffles, crepes, and pancakes you made on Saturday mornings so that I could write, edit, and escape with the dogs.

Recipe Testers (there were more than 80 of you!): I am eternally grateful for your generosity, honesty, and kindness. You found my mistakes, made my recipes easier to follow, and spent quality time with your families as you experimented in the kitchen together on my behalf. This book has been a collaborative effort, and it is my deepest wish that you consider it ours.

Jennifer and Matthew Carden, photography team and friends extraordinaire: We fought tooth and nail to have your work in my book, and I would do it again in an instant. The fun we had together in the kitchen would have been enough (deyenu!) but the resulting photographs are what make this book shine and make it inspiring. I am blessed to count you as friends and colleagues and love that our history includes this and many other memorable endeavors all with the goal of feeding families, helping children, and playing with our food.

The pages of this book would be incomplete without the beautiful faces (and hands) of Maia Perry, Mae Gerlach, Faeryn Dunnigan, Ryan Chung, Daniel and Sandra Chavez, and my kids, Amelia and Ari. I am thankful for your adventurous spirits and healthy appetites. And yes, I will try to make this book a bestseller so you can become famous.

The Whole Family Cookbook is just that. It was a thrill to include recipes from my greataunt, Beate Berliner, and from my mom, Susie Stern. Thanks to my dad, Richard, for joining in on the photography fun. While you are usually on the other side of the camera, having you in these photos was a touching image that I'm not likely to forget.

I am grateful to matchmaker (and slow-cooker lady) Stephanie O'Dea, for introducing me to the wonderful agent that we now share, Alison Picard. Thank you both for seeing the value of my work and for encouraging me to work hard to get my message out to families.

Victoria Sandbrook at Adams Media you had the knack of making me feel comfortable, even as I navigated through the mysterious waters of writing my first book. I appreciated your humor and patience as you waded through my endless questions, and am grateful that you were always able to ground me and calm my anxious nerves.

Wendy Simard at Adams Media you waved your wordsmith wand over this manuscript and sprinkled it with a dusting of positive reinforcement. Your comments were helpful and kind and gave my confidence a boost at the tail end of this exhilarating process.

To Mary Pryor and Maria Grey, two of my oldest friends: Although we were never infused with school spirit in our younger years, I count you as two of the best cheerleaders my team could ever ask for!