GRAZIE MILLE <3

A thousand thanks to our chefs, who made the magic happen with these Big Mamma recipes. Special mention to Alberto Suardi, Virginia Baldeschi, Monia Di Liello, Stefano Croella, Michele Monte, Fabrizio Rossi, Giacomo Maratia, Giuseppe Marrazzo, Michela Madeo, Sonia Dezio, Marco Spadavecchia, Francesco Vitale, Chloé Belliard, Jelena Stojanovic, Salvatore Taurisano, Edoardo Bernini, Giuseppe Morciano, Roberto Pagliuca, Éric Azoug and Mehdi Karamane, Mattia Maccheli, Andrea De Michele, Filippo La Gattuta and all the other great chefs behind the dishes in this book. To Scarlette Martin Casanova, Brando Zarghetta, Marion Greco, Filippo Di Giuseppe, Julia Markowitz, Leonardo lori and Monika Banasik for their expert advice and culinary secrets.

Big up to all our suppliers and their wonderful produce, to all the great artisans (artists in their own right) behind each and every one of our dishes, who have accompanied us right from the start and have never stopped believing in us. This book is all about hearty recipes, top-class produce and showers.

We decided to immortalize in 6 Big Mamma–style snaps a bathroom moment just prior to the arrival of guests. Enormous big up to our top chefs who agreed to swap their white aprons for an octopus or a crate of lemons – we love you. A (very) big thank you to Thomas Fournier for welcoming us, along with our chef Monia and our 27m (89ft) of fresh pasta, to his chic Italian bathroom created from sketches by artists from the Concina architecture and interior design studio. Mégane Servadio, who didn’t bat an eyelid when we showed up with the great chef Virginia and a fresh octopus in her summery bathroom designed by Servadio. Apolline and her bathroom with a view, which played host to our 48kg (106lb) of ham and our chef Filippo for a quick bath. Mathilde, who didn’t think twice about giving over her bathroom-library (and all the rest of her house) to our chef Albi and his 1,001 recipes for an improvised feast. Théodore et Calypso, who opened the door to their lovely pink bathroom, the day before leaving on holiday, to immortalize Andrea and his 14 crates of lemons.

To everybody in our incredible team, who turn the Big Mamma adventure into a crazy story that continues every day. To Evie Horsell, our very own Shakespeare, Laura Maniscalco and her dedication for Italian produce (and spelling!), Charlotte Martinez and Mari Volkosh for their constant guidance and sharp eyes. To Clémentine Philippon, Peppe Cacciapuoti, Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux for bringing this book to life.