As Debbie Thomas grew a love for cooking within her own kitchen, she knew that Cooking with Love could inspire others to not only love cooking as well but use it as an expression to share love to those in their lives. And she believes that the best way to do so is by focusing on dishes that are simple, healthy and full of flavor. Debbie did not go to culinary school as many cookbook authors have. Instead, she learned to cook from hard work and from the love that came from the matriarchs in her family. By watching her mother and grandmother cook, and then later cooking with her children and grandchildren, she quickly realized that while cooking may require a few learned skills, the best cooking comes when it starts from within. Over the years, Debbie perfected her cooking style ... one that marries simple with delicious, healthy with fresh, and tradition with uniqueness. While she was born in Chicago, Debbie grew up in Kentucky.