About Me | Renz ThisBagoGirl
Hello! I’m Renee, but you might know me as Renz —the heart behind ThisBagoGirl. I’m a Caribbean-born food lover, recipe developer, and mom with a deep passion for bringing the flavors of my heritage to kitchens worldwide.
My journey with Caribbean cuisine started with eating my childhood foods. Then, out of necessity, I started cooking in my kitchen, where I learned to infuse love and culture into every dish. Cooking has been a constant in my life, and I share that joy with you through this blog.
My Culinary Journey
My love for crafting culinary delights started in college, born out of necessity. Eating out got expensive fast, so I decided to start cooking. I’ll admit, the journey wasn’t smooth—I’ve burnt more than a few dishes, and even had a fire truck show up once! 😂 But with each attempt, I learned more, and gradually, cooking became a passion instead of just a necessity. Now, the kitchen is my sanctuary, especially after a long day, and recipe testing has become my creative outlet.My Expertise
With years of experience in my kitchen and sharing recipes on ThisBagoGirl, I’ve honed my skills in making Caribbean cooking accessible for everyone. My recipes are carefully tested to ensure they’re easy to follow, so even beginners and busy people can bring authentic Caribbean flavors into their homes without spending hours in the kitchen. I’m especially proud to make recipes that help fellow islanders reminisce about familiar flavors while introducing new audiences to the diverse and vibrant cuisine of the Caribbean.
Sharing Caribbean Food with the World
I created ThisBagoGirl to bring the diverse and vibrant flavors of the Caribbean to home kitchens everywhere. My goal is to make Caribbean cuisine accessible to everyone, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cook. Each recipe is designed to capture the “melting pot” spirit of Caribbean food, with easy-to-follow steps so even busy Caribbean moms like myself can whip up something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
There’s no greater reward than hearing, “I tried your recipe, and it turned out amazing!” Those words mean I’ve helped someone connect with Caribbean flavors, and maybe even sparked a love for island cooking. I’m especially grateful to see this blog bring nostalgia to fellow islanders and introduce new audiences to the magic of Caribbean cuisine.
My Ebook: Pressha It
For those looking to dive deeper, I’ve created an ebook, Pressha It, dedicated to making Caribbean cooking even easier with the Instant Pot. Whether you’re a beginner or a busy cook, this ebook offers a collection of traditional Caribbean recipes designed to save time while preserving authentic flavors. Each recipe is crafted to bring you the warmth of island food in a fraction of the usual cooking time. Grab it!
Your Go-To Caribbean Recipe Hub
Think of ThisBagoGirl as your go-to resource for Caribbean recipes bursting with zesty, tropical flavors. My recipes highlight the unique blend of cultures and history that shape our food, with a special focus on making dishes that are quick, easy, and true to tradition. My hope is that this blog not only makes cooking fun but also encourages you to explore the rich culinary diversity of the Caribbean.
So, dive in! Whether you’re a Caribbean native, a curious foodie, or simply someone who wants to add some island flair to your meals, you’ll find plenty here to enjoy. Let’s both aim to be the Top Chef in our own kitchens!
I am especially proud to be able to introduce to more and more people the culinary aspects of the Caribbean islands. It has been with much gratitude to not only be able to have other "islanders" reminisce about the food they may have grown up with but to be able to also introduce a new group of people to the magic that is "Island" food.
You can find me on:
Please take the time and poke around as we both try to be the Top Chef in our own kitchens.