The title of this recipe book comes from an old family joke: as my children were growing up, the often asked “What’s for dinner, dad?” Since I usually hadn’t started anything yet, I would reply: “Chef’s Surprise!” A surprise to both me and them is what it really meant.

The recipes on the following pages are largely ones that my kids have requested. One or more of them liked the recipe, so I want to pass them all on to them for the future. Where I could, I have noted who preferred which recipe.

Since good food is often a reminder of good times, use this book to remember the food we ate, the fun we had, and each other. “Family is important” as Grampa Totten used to say. I associate my family with food something like this: Heather and her Herb Fried Potatoes; Jamie and his Sour Cream Coffee Cake; and Stephanie - our annual Christmas Cake.

And last but not least, to Judith, who has encouraged me to write this book, my thanks for her constant support in this and so many other parts of my life.