Meet Karina Garcia

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karina Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karina, how does your business help the community?
KG.Kooks helps make cooking more accessible, inclusive, and meaningful—especially for bilingual families like mine. I share easy, flavorful recipes in both English and Spanish to inspire people to cook at home, connect with their culture, and come together around food.
As a mom of three, cooking is how I bring my family together. It’s where we catch up, laugh, and make memories. Through my content, I hope to help others experience that same joy—whether they’re learning to cook, passing down traditions, or just trying something new. My goal isn’t just to share recipes—it’s to create comfort, connection, and community, one meal at a time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a food content creator, but first I’m a wife, a mom of three, a daughter, and a sister. My days are full—school drop-offs, sports practices, cleaning up after my toddler, making meals, filming content, and helping my dad with his construction business. Life is nonstop, but it’s filled with purpose and love.

What sets my content apart is that it’s real. I don’t create meals just to film them—I’m cooking for my family. What you see in my videos is what’s actually happening in my kitchen. From quick weekday breakfasts to comfort meals after a long day, everything comes from my home and my heart.

My love for cooking grew over time. I didn’t know much at first—just little things like pancakes or burritos—but I knew how it made people feel. I saw how my mom cooked with love, and I wanted to do the same. That’s when I realized that food could be powerful—it could bring comfort, connection, and joy.

The journey hasn’t been easy. I’m really hard on myself and I always want to do things right. There’ve been moments I doubted myself or felt overwhelmed. But my husband reminded me of my worth, and my kids gave me purpose. They’ve kept me focused on why I do what I do.

I’ve learned that good things really do happen to good people. When you lead with love, stay true to who you are, and trust in God’s timing, doors open. My path hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been blessed—and I know I haven’t walked it alone.

My brand isn’t just about food—it’s about family, faith, culture, and love. I want people to see the beauty in everyday life and realize that even something as simple as a home-cooked meal can have a huge impact. If my story encourages someone to cook with more love or believe in themselves a little more, then I’m doing exactly what I’m meant to do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, I’d want them to feel like part of the family—and we’d definitely eat good every single day. We’d kick things off with a big homemade breakfast at my place—something like chilaquiles or breakfast burritos on the griddle, café de olla, and fresh fruit. Then we’d head out to explore the Central Valley.

We’d take a day trip to Sequoia National Park to hike and reset. And you already know I’d pack us a cooler with my fresh chicken pasta salad to eat on tostadas—with a splash of Tapatío, of course! Sitting under the giant trees, eating tostadas, and laughing until our stomachs hurt? That’s my kind of day.

On Friday, we’d head to the Friday night farmers market in my hometown, Lindsay, CA. It’s small but full of heart—local produce, handmade goodies, and all the hometown energy. And we have to grab a papa—one of those big stuffed baked potatoes loaded with toppings. It’s like a thing… everyone knows you don’t leave without getting a papa.

One night, I’d throw down a full-on carne asada at home, with all the sides and homemade salsa molcajete. Music playing, kids running around, everyone vibing—that’s when I’m in my happy place.

For sunset, we’d head up to Rocky Hill. It’s the perfect spot for a walk and some fresh air. Once you get to the top, you get this gorgeous view of the whole valley. It’s peaceful, grounding, and one of my favorite ways to end the day.

By the time they head home, they’d be full, happy, and probably texting me for the pasta salad recipe and asking when they can come back.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my family—they’ve been part of this journey long before I ever picked up a camera. Growing up, I’d make breakfast burritos or pancakes for my parents and little sisters. Even back then, food was my way of showing love.

When I met my husband, that spark for cooking became something deeper. I remembered how my mom always had food ready for my dad and made sure everyone was taken care of. I wanted to create that same feeling for my own family.

None of this would’ve happened without my husband. He believed in me before I believed in myself. When I started creating content, he encouraged me to keep going, to trust my gift. From filming to taste-testing, he’s been there every step of the way.

My kids are a huge part of this, too. Every recipe I share starts in my own kitchen—real meals inspired by our everyday life. They’re my motivation and my biggest cheerleaders.

And my sisters? They’ve been my day-one hype crew—always lifting me up, always reminding me to keep pushing forward.

To the community that’s grown around my content—thank you. You’ve turned my little kitchen and outdoor cooking into something so much bigger, and I’ll always be grateful.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kg.kooks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kgkooks/61558586229296/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kgkooks

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kg.kooks?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc