Book excerpt: When Nancy Ring answered a newspaper ad seeking an assistant pastry chef, she thought she'd found the ideal way to exercise her baking skills while supporting her first love, painting. Little did she realize that the kitchens of New York City's restaurants are places where only the most talented and tenacious survive. This rich, life-affirming journey is infused with walnut lore, art, and tasty recipes from the kitchens of Nancy and her grandmothers.