It seems like only yesterday, that a talented team of camera operators, photographers, incredible producers, lighting specialists, hair and makeup perfectionists, and a back-stage culinary crew took over my entire house, but here it is... My brand new TV series begins airing this week!

I am so excited because, as proud as I am of my previous series, this one is very special to me. It's called "Joanne Weir's Cooking Confidence" and it is so good and was so amazing to film. I am getting kind of nostalgic just thinking about it. My goal has always been to help my students feel confident and comfortable in the kitchen but this show even made me more confident as a teacher!

With each episode, I help my student to break each technique and recipe down, work with accessible ingredients you can find at your local stores, and really show you how to relax and enjoy the process of cooking...and eating! It's not rocket science... YOU CAN DO IT! As my teacher Madeleine Kamman used to say, "It's just foooood!" But I always say, "Yeah, it's just food, but it's what you do with food that makes it fascinating."

What could make my new series any better? My new TV series has a Companion...the Cooking Confidence Mobile App! It is an App for Appetizers! Try it out now and you will definitely learn how to get your meals of to a great start!

Tune in this week, and check my blog...you will see a gorgeous dish and I'm not just talking about the lamb stew! I promise! You'll get a real laugh and a lot of tips when I peel, seed and chop the tomatoes. I'm not giving any more of the secrets away! The series is being aired all across the country, check your local PBS listings. Enjoy and let me know what you think of the first episodes and new mobile App!

• Download your free mobile recipe on your iPad:
  Salmorejo, a zesty spanish soup.

Cookbooks make great Gifts!