The original Mack T was born and raised on the southside of Durham, North Carolina, nurtured by a devoted family who enjoyed laughter, love and occasional chaos, along with family-style meals. Mealtime included communication, life lessons, and unsolicited cooking classes. I only wanted to enjoy the meal, and I did that so well! Through the years, there was nowhere I could turn without getting a lesson on food, cooking, baking, or catering. Culinary talent was cultivated at home, grandmothers' houses, Edision Johnson, and countless other people and places too numerous to convey.

So, here I am today with humbleness, grateful for the natural and nurtured talent instilled in me by those God allowed to be in my life. From then until now, I still say, "Thank you!"