There is a lot of food history in the Yoder family; Ruth and her husband Melvin Yoder owned and operated a successful catering business “Yoder’s Catering Services” for 25 years. During these 25 years Ruth authored two successful cookbooks that have sold over 80,000 copies. There are also two family restaurants (Melvin’s brothers, Henry and Alva Yoder) that are popular tourist destinations, one is in Abbeville, South Carolina “Yoder’s Dutch Kitchen” and Montezuma, Georgia, “Yoder’s Deitch Haus.” These restaurants were owned and operated by Melvin’s two brothers, Henry and Alva Yoder and are operated by their families. The Yoder’s still make their home in Montezuma, Georgia and have retired from 25 years of catering “Yoder’s Catering Service.” Though retired from catering it is hard for Ruth to stay away from her passion for delicious recipes and after coaxing from family members for her to put together a cookbook with her lifetime favorite recipes, “Yoder’s Dutch Maid Cookbook” finally became a reality. A convincing question continuously asked her was; “would you not like to have this cookbook with all your favorite recipes in it...in your own kitchen?” We have enjoyed the tremendous blessings of God, church and family and without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His intervention in our lives, we never would have made it through some of our crises, “both personal and professional.” We sincerely hope this cookbook will play a special role in bringing even more enjoyment to one of God’s “needful blessings” here on earth - “FOOD!” ~ Melvin & Ruth Yoder