Introduction
I STARTED WRITING THIS BOOK IN 2013.
When I first met with my literary agent, we talked about a book that would showcase simpler versions of the food I cook at the Beatrice as well as entertaining ideas I might use in my own home. It seemed like a good idea at the time—no one knew me and I was under the impression this was the only idea that would sell to publishers and ultimately to the general public. I hadn’t yet defined a sense of my creative self, nor had I found my voice in food, or even within the Beatrice Inn.
But that was then. And I’ve decided I’ll leave that bullshit to the semi-homemade set. Instead, this is the story of me, of the Beatrice Inn, of this family, and of the magic created within our walls.
I’ve torn up the table of contents for this book more times than I can count. I’ve cried, laughed, and had utter meltdowns. I’ve contemplated giving back the advance and not writing it at all, because I felt I couldn’t handle the deadlines while running a business. During the process of completing this book, I’ve experienced extreme highs and extreme lows: I purchased a landmark piece of New York history, received a glowing two-star New York Times review, and was awarded Food & Wine’s Best New Chef. I’ve also been sued, extorted, had my face splashed across Page Six, and fired more managers, captains, and kitchen staff than most people who have been in the kitchen ten times longer than I have. I suffered the monumental loss of my father, and gained the monumental expense of having a different attorney for every day of the week. But most important, my team and I have achieved what most chefs and restaurateurs wait a lifetime for. We bet on the underdog, and came out on top—in New York City, no less. The words contained in these pages capture some of the gritty, ugly, gutsy, and beautiful moves we’ve made to get to where we are today, and the dishes we’ve created along the way.
Copyright © 2019 by Angie Mar with Jamie Feldmar. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
