This cookbook, From My Heart to Your Table, is drawing on the experience and expertise of many family members and friends. While I do not have formal training in the culinary field, I have attended many cooking classes and schools and always felt embolden after each. While working with North Carolina State Food Science Department when developing recipes for Women Helping Other Women, I found the spirit of pleasure that has been our creativity throughout the writing of this book. "Gourmet" is a word that I have always been drawn too. It is a mysterious word that make many good cooks shy away from. No need to shy away. Put your creativity to work and adjust or alter any recipe here that you feel you could make better. Don't be the hostess that distances themselves from having a dinner party. The I'd-love-to-but-don't attitude is often associated with the fear of planning the menu. It is my hope that I have offered many great recipes that will help alleviate that fear. So go ahead, find many good recipes in this book and plan that put-off dinner party and have fun enjoying your newfound creativity and the praise you will receive from your guest.