Claire Macdonald is the author of seventeen best-selling cookery books, including Seasonal Cooking, The Harrods Book of Entertaining, The Claire Macdonald Cookbook and Entertaining Solo. She is an energetic Patron of Scottish Food Fortnight and The Association of Scottish Farmers' Markets. In recognition of her contribution to Scottish food she was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by National Farmers' Union in 2011 and the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Claire was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Abertay University.Bob Dewar was born in Edinburgh. He was first published nationally when he was sixteen. He has illustrated books of verse in Lallans and Doric and educational books in Gaidhlig. As well as books for Black and White, Birlinn and Oxford University Press, his work has appeared in The Scottish Field and Hollyrood magazine and The Scotch Malt Whisky newsletter.

He has had exhibitions in Edinburgh and Italy, and for fifteen years did political and social commentary for The Scotsman. He is married to novelist Isla Dewar and has a son and a golden retriever.