Hey there, I am Tina!
First things first — Jesus Christ is the greatest influencer of my life. My motto has always been: “Watch me, don’t follow me. Follow Jesus! He’s the only One you should ever subscribe to!”
I’ve been married for 31 years to my Mexican husband, and together we’ve raised four horrible children. Something you should definitely know about me is that I have a great sense of humor! LOL. Today, one of my greatest joys is being “Birdie” to my four loco grandkids.
My story hasn’t been without challenges. I was adopted as a baby after losing my mother just weeks after birth. Over the years, I’ve faced Marfan syndrome, Crohn’s disease, life as an ostomate, and even survived renal cell carcinoma. Through every trial, God’s grace and the gift of food have sustained me.
Food and I became best friends many years ago. I talk to it, share my visions, and together we create something delicious. But it wasn’t always that way. Growing up, my mom didn’t really enjoy cooking — she had no passion for it. But even then, I loved to watch her in the kitchen. She was a perfectionist, which meant little hands like mine weren’t allowed to stir or chop. So I watched, and watched, and waited for the day when I could try on my own.
Later, as a young mother myself, I discovered I was a natural. Recipes weren’t my thing — I could watch someone make a dish once and recreate it with my own twist. Then came the real adventure: marrying into a Mexican family where food is truly an art form. From tortillas made by grinding corn into masa to elaborate meals built from scratch, I had a lot to learn. With eagerness and love, I observed my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, cousins, and family friends in the kitchen.
Over time, I mastered authentic flavors while also creating shortcuts for busy lives — ways to honor tradition without losing the essence. I believe food should be approachable, not overwhelming, and I’m passionate about preserving culture by making it accessible for the next generation.
Professionally, I’ve worked as a personal chef, head pastry chef, and food service coordinator/chef for an upscale residential treatment center for teen girls. I’ve also appeared in food commercials and infomercials. Years ago, before it was common, I launched a YouTube cooking channel that has now reached nearly 2 million combined views on its videos.
When I’m cooking, you’ll probably find me dancing, when I am not I enjoy decorating with bold colors, thrift shopping, or scouting out the best taco trucks. I also love to swim, paddleboard, travel, explore big cities, and cheer for the underdog. More than anything, I love serving others — whether it’s dropping off dinner to someone in need, speaking words of encouragement, or reminding people of the potential I see in them.
This website and my upcoming cookbook are more than just collections of recipes; they embody my faith, family, journey, and passion for fostering comfort, connection, and joy at every table. My motivation to create this platform comes from my desire to inspire others while also donating a portion of the proceeds to a scholarship fund that empowers Latin American young adults to pursue their educational dreams.