People ask me what my new project is about. Although the title has been a working one six ways from Sunday (ranging from Gourmet Foreplay to the Idiots Guide to Cooking for a Date) I am loving it. I have been working feverishly on recipes and testing things in my kitchen for the last two weeks. Beyond the road test however is the market research, and that has also been pretty fun.

    When I begin to talk to some yummy co-ed about my work (I love it when they ask what I do and I explain that I provide the top way to get busy!) their eyes light up. I share how my book will give them very easy steps to creating a memorable night of food, conversation and atmosphere. Although the recipes are that good, I've been offering the secret weapon to getting it to happen for them. Over Easter weekend I asked about 100 guys what they thought about my idea for a cooking for a date companion, and hands down every guysaid they would be interested and it had nothing to do with me being on the cover only wearing a smile (which I am not doing by the way...I've had a child). Now, I can't tell you what that weapon is or there would be no reason to read the book now, would there.

    Some of the delicious things I have road tested this week were the Whole Baby Snapper Asian style  (it does not involve any Thai Lady Boys lipsyncing Barbara Streisand, fear not) and a terrific Chicken Paella with Sausage and Rosemary. Both were 'get your clothes off' magnificent and rediculously easy to prepare.

    I love food, and I love entertaining. Men cooking is one of the sexiest things I know. Because I know what a turn on cooking is (I get alot of kitchen sex, thank you) I want to do my part for humanity and share the love, so to speak. I hope you love my ramblings, recipes and ultimately, my how-to book.