Food Network's 100 Cooks Finalist
Hi, I'm Kim Alexander!
Welcome to HomeCookVibe - I'm so glad you're here!
What started as simple weeknight cooking for my family turned into a passion for creating meals that feel like home - cozy, flavorful, and made with love. Between homeschooling my daughters, running our kitchen, and testing new recipes, every dish I share comes straight from real family life.
For me, food has always been about connection - gathering around the table, laughing between bites, and knowing that even the simplest meal can bring everyone together.
HomeCookVibe is where I share that love: easy 30-minute dinners, one-pan meals, air fryer favorites, and cozy comfort recipes that make every day feel a little special.
Whether you're here for inspiration, family dinner ideas, or to rediscover the joy of home cooking - welcome. You're part of the HomeCookVibe fam now. ❤️
My Cooking Story
It really started when I became a mom. I started paying a lot closer attention to what was actually in our food, and realized how much of it was processed — I wanted healthier options for my kids.
Before HomeCookVibe, I spent over a decade as a hairstylist with my own salon in Brooklyn, NY, building a six-figure business I was proud of. But when my second daughter, Erin, was born, I couldn't keep juggling being a wife, a mom, and running a business the way I wanted to. My husband stepped in so I could be more present at home — which is also when homeschooling started for my oldest, Amayaa, and eventually both of my girls.
Back in 2018, with my first baby, I was craving something different from the traditional Jamaican food I grew up on, so I started using HelloFresh, Green Chef, and Factor for weekly meal prep and to explore new cuisines. It opened up a whole new world in the kitchen for me.
For a couple of years I was actually posting beauty and makeup content online as WakeUpToMakeup and HairWeGoNow — until one reel changed everything. A salmon rotini recipe I posted went viral: 17 million views on Instagram, 3 million on TikTok. I couldn't keep up with the comments, and I realized food was where my heart actually was. I rebranded to HomeCookVibe in fall 2023, and in January 2024, I turned it into a real food blog.
Since then, this little idea has grown into so much more than I ever expected — including writing my cookbook and appearing on Food Network. But at its core, it's still just me, in my kitchen, trying to feed my family well.
Who Is HomeCookVibe For?
If any of this sounds like you, you're in the right place:
- The busy parent who needs dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less - no fuss, no fancy techniques.
- The homeschool mom juggling a full day and looking for recipes that don't demand hours of planning.
- The comfort-food lover who wants meals that feel like a hug - cozy, familiar, and made from scratch.
- The curious home cook ready to try something new, whether that's an air fryer favorite or a one-pan wonder.
Sound like you? Grab a seat at the table - you're one of us now. ❤️
Milestones & Press
The short version of how HomeCookVibe came to be:
- Fall 2023 — My salmon rotini reel went viral: 17M views on Instagram, 3M on TikTok. I rebranded from my beauty pages, WakeUpToMakeup and HairWeGoNow, to HomeCookVibe.
- January 2024 — Officially launched the HomeCookVibe blog.
- Fall 2025 — Released my first cookbook, Stay for Dinner.
- June 2026 — My Food Network 100 Cooks appearance premiered.
I've also been lucky enough to be featured on Fox 35 Orlando, TVJ, the Jamaica Observer, and VoyageMIA magazine.
Why Cook With HomeCookVibe
A few reasons readers keep coming back for dinner.
- Real recipes, really tested. Every recipe is made in my own kitchen and tweaked until it's foolproof, so you know it'll work in yours too.
- Quick & easy weeknights. Most recipes come together in about 30 minutes, because busy family life doesn't leave room for complicated dinners.
- Simple, everyday ingredients. No hard-to-find items or fussy techniques - just real food you can pick up at any grocery store.
- Tips that actually help. Every post includes the little tricks I've learned along the way, from smart swaps to storage tips, so you're set up to succeed.
Fun Facts About Me
- My all-time favorite meal is brown stew chicken — but I'm also a huge pasta person.
- I have a serious weakness for vanilla ice cream, especially Talenti and Yasso.
- I was born and raised in Jamaica and moved to the U.S. at 15.
- I'm the oldest child on both sides of my family.
- I shoot every photo and video on this site myself on my Sony camera — HomeCookVibe is a two-person operation between me and my husband.
- I got my dog Bella in 2017, three months before I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter.
- I love nature and anything outdoors.
FAQs About Me
When did you start HomeCookVibe?
I started the blog officially in January 2024, after a viral salmon rotini video in fall 2023 convinced me to leave my beauty content behind and focus on food full time.
Do you take your own photos?
Yes! Every photo and video on HomeCookVibe is shot by me on my Sony camera. My husband and I run this whole thing together.
What's your most popular recipe?
The recipe that started it all — my viral salmon and shrimp rotini.
Do you have a cookbook?
Yes! My cookbook, Stay for Dinner, released in fall 2025.
Where can I watch your Food Network appearance?
I filmed my episode in January 2026 and it premiered in June 2026 — keep an eye on my Instagram for clips and updates.
A Few Reader Favorites
Not sure where to start? These are the recipes readers make again and again.
Let's Connect!
Follow along for new recipes, behind-the-scenes kitchen moments, and more real family cooking.