Jackson Free Press

In 2010, Deborah Hunter walked into her new home in Terry, and her beautiful kitchen instantly inspired her. Hunter uttered one simple prayer: "Lord, please teach me how to cook." Hunter began baking, cooking and throwing regular dinner parties. A year passed before any of her friends and family believed she was actually cooking the same food she was serving.

She never imagined her passion would lead to a food entertainment and hospitality company, Cooking With Honey and Friends. Today, Hunter's business encompasses a YouTube channel, a magazine and several social-media pages.

Cooking With Honey is about more than cooking. In 2011, she lost two of her best friends, Yolanda and Casey, and her older brother, Ronald Hunter. Again, she turned to God for guidance. Hunter describes Cooking With Honey as a charge from Christ to better her community and Mississippi as a whole. Originally, she thought that meant making a cookbook for her family, but she never imagined her business would expand so greatly.

Hunter sees her company as a Mississippi movement that focuses on spreading love and positivity. "I want the world to know that we're amazing. That's why our program is called Cooking With Honey and Friends," she said. "Our friends are the people here in Mississippi, and we also welcome the whole world to come visit us. This is our way of reaching out, grabbing their hands and welcoming people to come visit the best place in the world."

Last year, Hunter started hosting "Deep South Dining" on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. On Aug. 22, she will participate in a panel at the Mississippi Book Festival. Hunter says her ultimate goal for Cooking With Honey is for it to become the new face for southern hospitality in Mississippi. For more information, visit www.mpbonline.org/deepsouthdining.