I was inspired to write this book by my children Melody and Cody. I so wanted them to be able to recreate some of the same recipes that have been in our family and have some memories of the days gone by in the way of food. My Daughter is now getting married and looking for help with recipes and techniques in cooking so, I thought I'd put it in print. I hope it will also inspire you or a bride you know, to pass on those old family recipes to the next generation, recipes that will stir up some memories. My grandfather, Richard Heinrich, was a baker who came to this country from Germany and my Grandmother Clara was from Austria. They met and fell in love here in America. Clara was a personal chef for a wealth family in Connecticut. Together they raised their family and started the Heinrich Bakery in Southington, Connecticut. They have both passed away and, unfortunately, a great deal of their recipes have gone with them. My father Erwin, also a great cook, would pass on techniques on cooking and give me advice on cake decorating. -From the Introduction