My photo shoot for my first book was just completed, PHEW! What an adventure--I never realized the amount of work, detail and coordination that goes into a book. I am told it's critical that the team you hire get along, but that it rarely happens. I was lucky to find three incredibly talented women that really brought my vision to life--I call them my "angels."

My food stylist, Jee Levine, is the culinary Picasso. She styled the plates so effortlessly and so beautifully. She has worked with so many great chefs--I was really excited that she loved my recipes.

My prop stylist, Philippa Brathwaite, has such an eye for prop styling. She pulled such amazing tableware, accessories and surfaces. I had to stop myself from buying a lot of what we borrowed!

And finally, there is my photographer, Anna Williams. She is so talented and is such a beautiful person. She also happens to be eight months pregnant. Every day we thought she was going to have the baby. I was so nervous when she would climb up on a stool or edge off a sofa to get a different camera angle. At one point there was a labor scare, but luckily it was a false alarm.

During the second week of shooting we tackled lifestyle photography. Not only were we cooking and styling recipes, but I was in the pictures as well. My hairstylist, Davide, joined a make-up artist and wardrobe stylist to get every look just right. While at one of the locations, my mother and niece came by. Anna took so many great photos of all of us. My mother also helped Jee in the kitchen--it was a blast. It was so nice to have my mother be a part of this experience.

My book is being published by Rodale, Inc. and will be available this spring.

--Donatella

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