Profits from your kitchen: if you love to cook and people love your cooking, then you can make money from your home kitchen - includes business start-up tips

Most importantly, know your specialty and be prepared to answer lots of questions from your students. Keep a good reference source available at all times. Practice your presentation for family and friends until you feel confident.

GOURMET SPECIALTIES. If you have a favorite family recipe that everyone raves about, such as cookies, pies, cakes, breads, jams or jellies, you might consider selling these specialty items for a profit. Make samples and let neighbors, restaurants and gourmet shop owners taste them to see if there is any interest. If so, they can place orders for the items. This way you only make what is requested. When orders increase you may want to look into purchasing your supplies wholesale.

No matter how hard the labor, you will be thrilled to earn money for doing something you truly enjoy. All it takes is a little initiative to get started.

PHOTO : Breads are among popular baked goods. If you bake them well, you could possibly make a living at it. Included here are (from l. to r.) Angel Biscuits, Rum Sweet Potato Bread, Sesame Swiss Cheese Loaf, Monkey Bread and Honey Whole Wheat Bread.

PHOTO : Pies rank high on the list of profitable and popular baked goods. Shown here are (l. to r.) Sour Cream Apple, Chocolate Cream Meringue and Lemon Cheesecake.