Have you ever thought about how awesome cooking really is? It's actually pretty cool to take ingredients and combine them in a special way to make something totally different -- and delicious! Plus, sharing your tasty creations with family and friends makes it even more fun. Think of this book as your first step toward developing your culinary skills. You'll learn the basics like chopping, mixing, and blending; then you'll practice those skills with some classic recipes. Your family and friends will be amazed when you delight their taste buds! But that's not all. Cooking is also about presentation and making things look appetizing. You'll get tips and suggestions for pretty presentations, and learn how to plan a complete meal, too. So grab an apron, plop on a chef's hat, and get cooking!