Manuela Darling-Gansser was born in Lugano, Switzerland. She spent her early childhood years in Iran before returning to school in Zurich. An inveterate traveller and keen linguist she has lived in the USA, Japan, Italy and the UK, and has visited other parts of Asia, India and North Africa. Inspired by family traditions, she has been a passionate cook all her adult life. Her successful travel and food books include Under the Olive Tree, Autumn in Piemonte and Winter in the Alps. Simon Griffiths is a leading photographer of garden, food and travel. He has undertaken overseas assignments for Gourmet Traveller and his work appears regularly in other magazines such as House and Garden and Vogue Living. He was the photographer for the best-selling Stephanie Alexander and Maggie Beer's Tuscan Cookbook.