This blog has been developed as an answer for all the people that I see that tell me how much they miss Heartworks Gallery and Cafe. Many people want to prepare some of the signature dishes that I created at my award winning vegetarian cafe/gallery. I began over twenty years ago as an Art Gallery showcasing many fantastic local artists/fine craftspeople and then as I participated in Nationally juried shows and met other artists, I included them in this ever evolving space. As I prepared all the food for the openings, people just loved everything and started to hire me to do the Gallery openings for University of North Florida as well as Jacksonville University. My thematic food with types of art was so well received, I thought “Well, why not do both! ART and FOOD! please the Palate as well as the eye, enrich the soul!” So I gradually remodeled the “dungeon” a warehouse space behind the existing gallery. Much “sweat and tears” went into that endeavor! As I continued I won many awards both for my art, and the food as well as desserts. I had a small staff, and that took its toll! Everything was done ‘from scratch’, slow food, fresh veggie stock, scratch desserts!It was exhausting after so many years and so many months of 50-60 hour weeks. When the economy started to slump and rents greatly increased, and all expenses zooming upward, and sales remaining about the same, I decided it was time to elicit a change. There truly is not a day that goes by that someone doesn’t remind me of a particular dessert they loved, or dish they ate, or piece of artwork they bought that brings them SO much pleasure. I am thrilled that I have made an impact on so many young artists and so many people in changing the way they view their veggies! after all – they are not just ‘veggies’! They are an ever-changing empty canvas to stretch into new and better mouth-watering delights! I am happy to have this format to quell the calls and questions about Heartworks – works of the hand and spirit- that were put out there with lots of love!