“I love cooking for myself and cooking for my family.”

I was just thrilled to get the gig to begin with. Ten years later to still have it is not only thrilling but also somewhat of a puzzlement.

I have been blessed with working with the best in the business.

I was the oldest of six, and three of my siblings were adopted.

Watching the scenes out of New Orleans, if you turn down the sound it could be the Sudan or any Third World country. But it’s not. it’s the United States of America.

Mom and Dad even took in foster children. ‘There are no limits to how much you can love,’ Dad always said.

If I was having a bad day, eating was like self-medicating. But if you abuse food, you still have to use that substance that you abuse every day.

My first college roommate greeted me with a shocked silence followed by, ‘So. . .you’re black.

I don’t make plans, because life is short and unpredictable – much like the weather!

You don’t have to try to impress your kids. If they’re not getting what they need from you, they will let you know.

We already had an adopted daughter, 10-year-old Courtney, from my previous marriage.

My own childhood showed me that when it comes to loving your kids, concepts like that don’t apply.

Exercising is what I need for my metabolism and for a better sense of well-being.

I couldn’t wait for Courtney to come to the hospital so I could have all my women together.

There is no quick fix. At the end of the day, you still have to do the work to maintain your weight. It can’t be a diet. You have to change your life.

They wrapped her up like a baby burrito to show to Mom. Here were a mother and her daughter and I love them both so much.

You have to learn to use it responsibly.

I think baking is an incredible thing; cooking in general is an incredible thing.

Become familiar with your home, but know also about your neighbors. The young man who never went anywhere thinks his mother is the greatest cook.

Do not taste food while you’re cooking. You may lose your nerve to serve it.

My cooking is so bad my kids thought Thanksgiving was to commemorate Pearl Harbor.

In Texas, we cook bacon a little differently than most folks…MACHINE-GUN BACON.

Christmas for me is all about spending time with my family. I cherish any chance we have to spend all day together making gingerbread houses, baking cookies, or sitting around and watching movies.

I love being at home and cooking and baking.

I never really cook from recipes. But the worst is when something turns out great and I can’t figure out how to make it again!