About Tima Gaye – African-Inspired Recipes from Cook with Tima

👋 Meet Tima Gaye

Hi, I’m Tima Gaye, the heart behind Cook with Tima — and I’m so happy you’re here.

I’m originally from The Gambia and now based in the UK, blending the rich traditions of West African cuisine with global flavors from around the world.

My kitchen is where culture, creativity, and comfort come together — and every recipe you find here is made with love, care, and purpose.

✨ How It All Began

📦 Lockdown Sparked a Passion

My cooking journey truly started during the COVID-19 lockdown. Like many others, I was stuck at home, but instead of slowing down, I found inspiration in the kitchen. Cooking has always been my passion — something I loved doing even before I had two wonderful daughters. So I began sharing meals on Facebook, just for fun.

💬 Positive Reactions Online

To my surprise, people responded with so much love. They left comments, asked for recipes, and even wondered if they could order my food. That’s when I thought — why not take this further? I created a Facebook page, which grew quickly. Eventually, I dreamed bigger:

I wanted my own website.

🚀 Building My Own Website

At first, it wasn’t easy. I tried hiring help, but it was too expensive. So, I took the leap and taught myself how to build my own website — learning everything bit by bit. I applied for monetization through Ezoic and was rejected several times, but each rejection pushed me to improve and never give up. And when I finally got accepted, it felt like a dream come true.

Tima Gaye's colorful and creative food display

🍲 What Makes My Recipes Special – About Tima Gaye’s Creative Process

My recipes are born from imagination and heart. I often create dishes in my mind first — thinking, What if I mix this with that? What would it taste like? I experiment in the kitchen, write down every step and measurement, and if the result brings joy, I recreate it and share it with the world.

What makes my food unique is the fusion of cultures — from Gambian and African dishes to Asian, European, and modern meals. Some recipes are quick and family-friendly, while others are more detailed — but I always try to make them easy, approachable, and full of flavor.

Tima Gaye enjoying time with family while cooking

🧡 Why I Love Cooking

Cooking is like therapy for me. The moment I step into a clean kitchen with all the ingredients ready, I feel peace and joy. I love seeing my daughters enjoy the food I make — their smiles, their requests for seconds, their compliments. It fills my heart.

Through food, I express love, share my culture, and create meaningful moments with my family. It also helps me reconnect with my Gambian roots and share those traditions with others.

Young Tima inspired by childhood kitchen moments

🌼 Childhood Memories – How Tima Gaye’s Cooking Journey Began

Where It All Started

My love for cooking started early. When I was just 7 or 8 years old, I used to sit next to my family members while they cooked. I would ask for the fish tails and vegetable peels they didn’t need, and they would give me empty tomato cans carefully cut and cleaned — to use as my little cooking pots.

My First Little Kitchen

Using stones and dry sticks, I’d make a tiny fire with their help, and while they cooked beside me, I would be there creating my own mini meals. I’d slice the fish tails, mix in scraps of vegetables, and proudly serve it to family members who’d laugh and say, “Hmm, not bad!”

Memories That Shaped Me

Those are some of my happiest memories, and they’ve stayed with me ever since. Even now, when I think of that time, it puts the biggest smile on my face. That’s when I first discovered that cooking isn’t just a skill — it’s part of who I am.

A Warm Welcome to You

Thank you for being here and sharing this journey with me. Whether you’re trying one of my easy dinners or exploring a traditional West African dish, I hope you feel the same joy and warmth that I feel when I create it.

Welcome to my kitchen. Welcome to Cook with Tima.

One of my most-loved recipes is this West African Peanut Stew. It’s rich, flavorful, and full of Gambian warmth.

🌍 Growing up with the rich, bold flavors of West African cooking shaped everything I love about food today. It brings people together, tells stories, and celebrates culture. I’m always inspired when I see our food appreciated globally — like the amazing dishes featured on BBC Good Food’s African Recipe Collection 🌶️🍲 . Seeing African cuisine shine like that reminds me why I share my own creations with so much love and passion.