Jack McCoy grew up in rural Arkansas at a time and place where many families relied on woodstoves for heat and hand-operated pitcher pumps for water. Jack's lifelong interest in cooking was sparked by watching his grandparents prepare hearty homestead meals in very simple ways. While modern conveniences have brought about many changes in the kitchen, Jack enjoys making cornbread in a cast iron skillet, brewing coffee in an enameled coffeepot, and preserving the summer's bounty by home canning. Today, Jack lives in eastern North Carolina, where he holds a doctorate degree in education and works as freelance writer and technology management consultant when he is not puttering around in the kitchen.