New Orleans native John DeMers has spent a long career covering every form of news, for UPI and three daily newspapers, plus finding a place on radio and television for 26 years. He has published 60 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and prides himself on being able to tell the difference. Over more than half a century, he has reported on this and that from 138 foreign countries. Along the way, he helped found the Culinary Adventure Cooking School for Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods in Fredericksburg, Texas. John’s latest project has been writing the fascinating history of Virginia ham, a narrative that touches on Chinese, Italian, Spanish, British, Native American and African American contributions. Based in northern Virginia outside Washington, D.C., he is now also a high school teacher.