About the Author
Contact me: cappy@chefcappyskitchen.com
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I am Renee Heiss, a retired family consumer sciences teacher. Therefore, I have extensive knowledge of cooking, sewing, and children. That combination of interests led the way to creating my unique cookbook, Chef Cappy's Kitchen - STEM Facts and Healthy Recipes for Family Fun - Holiday Edition. In that cookbook, the recipes are coded by who does which step. No fights - only family cooperation and fun. When I realized that the younger children might become a bit antsy waiting for their turn in the family cooking experience, I created Chef Cappy's Sous Chefs. Each one is unique and handmade. Each one has a name and a brief biography. Naturally, everyone shares in the care of the family sous chef!
It has been fun watching this project grow as children choose their sous chef friend or design their own to share with the rest of the family cooks. Come back frequently to see the new additions to Chef Cappy's Kitchen family of sous chefs. I have several ideas for new books. The next will be a Foods from 50 States Edition coming out in Fall 2019. Following that will be an International Cuisines Edition, and a Special Diets Edition. Please contact me if you have any ideas for other new titles!  Chef Cappy's Vacation, acrylic on gesso board 16x20
In my personal life, I have been married to my wonderful husband, Doug, since 1974. Together we raised three daughters who gave us 7 grandchildren to enjoy. I am a graduate of Douglass College with a degree in Home Economics Education (now Family Consumer Sciences.) I taught general Home Economics for five years before my first daughter was born. When I went back to work, I taught Child Development for 20 years. That meant I had 16 high school students and 8 preschool children in the room at the same time! It was organized mayhem :-) Eventually, I earned an NJ Family Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year award for my efforts in the classroom.
As retirement approached, I began to look for ways to continue educating families when I stayed home. That led me to writing books and magazine articles for children, teachers, and parents. I have several award-winning books - see my personal website for the details. I have been an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature. In 2008, I was selected to be a Baldwin fellow, University of Wisconsin at Madison for a Nanotechnology Meets Biotechnology seminar for science authors. It was an amazing experience! About eight years ago, I co-founded a company called Entelechy Education, LLC. With my business partner, we produced three books that have companion learning guides, plus several additional resources. The books feature the interesting EnteleTrons characters and all feature a STEM component and positive character education. You can find them at www.stemchildrensbooks.com We are in the process of searching for someone to help us turn the books into cartoons - contact me if you want to offer suggestions! I also took up painting again, which I started when my children were very young - the proverbial distraction from the ordinary life of a housewife - but then I stopped painting to raise three children. You can see some of my paintings on that same website, some of which are available as prints. In 2017 , I received special recognition for exceptional art in the Light, Space, & Time online art gallery, Seascapes Art Exhibition for my painting, "Rimi Rock." This is featured in my book, My Peaceful Place. Finally, I do needlework for charities. I have created quilted lap robes for the veterans home, crocheted hats for the homeless, and bags for needy children (www.carebags4kids.com - a very worthy cause) So that's my life in a nutshell - I hope you enjoy my newest endeavor, Chef Cappy's Kitchen! If anyone is interested in my complete resume, click HERE. |