This book is very easy to follow, and if you don't like to cook because of feelings of inadequacies in the kitchen, this book will set you at ease. Althea is very thorough in her approach to meal preparation. She gives many helpful tips, such as testing your recipe before you introduce it to guests. Also how to cut an onion to avoid all those tears! Althea makes the whole cooking and food preparation, a positive and enjoyable adventure for anyone that may have lacked confidence in meal planning, especially for family and friends. You definitely don't have to be terrified anymore as long as you utilize the simple step by step ways to present a wonderful meal, almost like a "Master chef!" Cynthia Greene