Cookbook author Judith Fertig grew up in the Midwest, went to college and cooking school in Europe, and now lives in Kansas City. Described by Saveur Magazine as a "heartland cookbook icon," Fertig writes cookbooks that reflect her love of bread, baking, barbecue, and the fabulous foods of the Heartland.You can read some of her cookbooks like novels--the fabulously photographed Heartland, the award-winning and James Beard Awards-nominated Prairie Home Cooking (a "tour de force," says Saveur), the encylopedic All-American Desserts, and Prairie Home Breads. Her IACP Cookbook Award-winning The Back in the Swing Cookbook (with Barbara C. Unell) takes you on a delicious daily journey to get you back in the swing after breast cancer.And one of her books IS a novel, her debut The Cake Therapist (June 2015), the story of a talented pastry chef with a very special gift who opens a bakery in her hometown, with mesmerizing results.Other books reflect her ongoing reign as a tiara-totin' BBQ Queen, having fun with co-author and co-queen Karen Adler, from BBQ Bash, 300 Big & Bold Barbecue Recipes, and Weeknight Grilling to 25 Essentials Planking, 25 Essentials Grilling Fish, and the best-selling The Gardener and the Grill. Do you know the 4 BBQ Queen Waves for when you become famous (for your barbecue or anything else) ?? Here are a few hints: Wiping the windshield, screwing in a lightbulb, fluttering the air. . . . Do them along with us on the Food Network. http://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=bGFVownwvVAAnd some of her cookbooks just make you want to get in that kitchen and stir up something new--with one-bowl, no-knead bread in 200 Fast & Easy Artisan Breads or with your "electric assisant" in The Artisan Bread Machine.Check out her blog on http://www.judithfertig.com/ for even more recipes, photos, and a peek into her kitchen.