The Conversation for Wednesday, November 23

What are you thankful for this year?

Normally, The Conversation is a feature for paid subscribers, but I am sharing it will all our readers this week. Of course, you are welcome to upgrade!

A Thank You Note to Everyone

Some people keep gratitude journals. Others write down things each day that make them happy. Yet, life can rush by without taking time to reflect, especially at a busy time like this.

On Thanksgiving Eve, I’d like to pause and express some gratitude to those who have been kind to me in 2022. This is far from a comprehensive list, and I hope no one feels left out if you are not mentioned by name or business. You are appreciated.

1. My brother Frank. It has been a difficult year for the Maynards, with two big losses - our godmother Maxine, and Frank’s wife Lisa. I still find myself spontaneously bursting into tears when a memory hits. On top of this, we’ve shared the stress of the Big Sort of my mother’s home and the unexpectedly lengthy time it took to sell it. Frank has been there for me every step of the way, helping me get out of dilemmas on more than one occasion. Beyond that, he’s been a supportive parent to his sons, Benjamin and Parker, who sadly have to experience the same kind of loss we did when we were at school. I think our parents would be proud to see him become our family’s rock. And, as I told you in this week’s newsletter, he’s also an excellent cook.

2. My dear friends. You know about the Marc(k)s - Marc Stewart and Mark Remillard. The future is bright for both of them. Marc recently became a correspondent with CNN, fulfilling a lifelong dream, and Mark is gearing up for law school (I was happy to write a recommendation for him). I’m so pleased that my friends have become friends. Back home, I’m grateful to Susan Kelley, the creator of What Kate Wore, who is going through the news crush of a new era in British royal family. My bowling partner and commercial attorney Margaret Petersen surprised me by driving down to Toledo last week to hear me talk about my book. Here in New Orleans, Maggie Tolle and Lewis Evans have helped me get settled and explore the city, while Jason Goodenough has been my culinary Sherpa and personal Google search engine (I hope my questions aren’t trying his patience…)

3. My book team. I couldn’t ask for more helpful people to have launched Satisfaction Guaranteed, from my agent Irene Goodman and the staff at Scribner’s to everyone at Zingerman’s, from book stores like Literati and Garden District Book Shop, to the Jewish Book Council and everyone who hosted or interviewed me. My book has been in such good hands - and more events are in store.

4. The culinary world. Countless restaurant owners, chefs, writers, entrepreneurs and others have continued my education, from Ann Arbor to New Orleans and places in between. Dorie Greenspan, Ina Pinkney and Virginia Willis have watched over me from a distance. In turn, I have loved seeing new businesses like Flour Moon Bagel, Bar Sukeban and Ayu Bakehouse come to life in the short time I have been here. You all dream big and work so hard. I’ve loved getting to know the New Orleans Dames D’Escoffier. People like Vishwesh Bhatt, Chip Apperson. Allison Richard, Ti Martin and Ria Turnbull have been so helpful and welcoming. “It will always be a pleasure to see you,” Allison said when I returned to the High Hat after three years away. Back at you!

5. All my editors. From Scribner’s, to the Washington Post, The Takeout to The Ann Arbor Observer, I’ve gotten to work with terrific professionals this year. I firmly believe everyone needs an editor. Mine constantly make my work better.

Lastly, Christopher Elliott of Elliott Confidential doesn’t fall into these categories, but his support for CulinaryWoman has been so valuable. I thank him and all of you. I love writing the CulinaryWoman Newsletter and I hope you get something useful from it each week.

Is there anything for which you’d like to express your thanks? Please chime in. Have a wonderful holiday and start to the holiday season. Treat yourself well.