Daisy King

I'm a graduate of Belmont University with a degree in home economics and journalism. I opened "Miss Daisy's Tearoom" in Nashville (1974-1991) and was a founding chef to F. Scott's (another Nashville restaurant). I have served as a food-business consultant to numerous bistros and major supermarket chains, and have also been a media spokesperson for Pillsbury, Swift's Sausage, and Bisquick. I am the owner-operator of "Miss Daisy's Kitchen" in the Grassland Market of Franklin, where we prepare 150 items daily. I've been blessed to cater several high-profile events, including the Nashville Screenwriter's Conference.

I've appeared on NBC'S "Today" show, CBS's "This Morning," NPTV's "Word on Words," and several other cable channels and network affiliates throughout the US. I have appeared as a guest chef on Nashville (CBS affiliate WTVF) Ch 5's "Talk of the Town" as an almost monthly guest since the show's inception in 1983.

I have also written 14 cookbooks, with combined sales of nearly 2 million copies. In 1995, I was honored with a QVC "Best of Show" Award for my book "Miss Daisy Celebrates Tennessee", which actually earned me a place in the QVC Hall of Fame. I am currently the recipe editor/contributor for a Historic Hospitality series of books which shows the history of food from famous Southern locations, including the Belle Meade Plantation, the Hermitage Hotel, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island.

I also consider myself a passionate activist, having served as a member of the Nashville Symphony Guild and on the board of the Nashville Chamber Orchestra and the March of Dimes Foundation. I've chaired events for Tennessee 's senators and governors, and served as a delegate to President Reagan. I've also had the honor of serving food to a few presidents, which gave me the name "First Lady of Southern Cooking" - a title I am humbled by every day.

The greatest honor I have ever received however is the joy of cooking for my wonderful friends and family. Nothing gives me a greater sense of purpose than having someone at my table, hearing their kind words and having the tremendous opportunity to be a part of so many lives. It's a great feeling knowing I'm a guest in someone else's home, and it's a feeling I like to share with as many people as possible. I make a regular commitment to give recipes via my Facebook page for the kitchen: www.facebook.com/missdaisyskitchen.