Meet Kari

Hi, welcome to Good Thyme Kitchen! My name is Kari, and I am a food lover through and through. I love to eat food, talk about food, take pictures of food, write about food, and most of all, create recipes and cook.

I am married to my husband, Brian, and together we have 3 awesome kids (Mia, Alex & Emma). I’m a Seattle transplant who’s been calling Phoenix home for the last 18 years. While I miss the Pacific Northwest rain, evergreen trees, and those incredible summer berries, I’ve fallen in love with the desert sunshine, mountain views, and the vibrant culinary scene that continues to surprise and inspire me.

My Journey Began in a Spanish Kitchen

I grew up in a Spanish family, so of course I spent a big part of my childhood learning from the best cooks I know, my mom and my grandma. Some of my fondest memories are of standing on a wooden step stool in my grandma’s tiny kitchen, watching her hands expertly roll out dough, season dishes with just a pinch of this and a handful of that (never measuring anything!), and somehow always knowing exactly when something was perfectly cooked.

From Seattle Rain to Phoenix Sunshine

When Brian and I first moved to Phoenix eighteen years ago, I’ll admit I was a bit homesick. I missed the green landscapes, the cool weather, and yes, even the rain. But something magical happened when I started exploring the local farmers’ markets and discovering ingredients I’d never cooked with before.

One of my proudest moments was when I successfully recreated a dish from one of our favorite local restaurants. After countless visits to Flower Child and obsessing over their grain bowls, I finally nailed my Sweet Corn & Quinoa (Copycat Flower Child) recipe. Brian actually did a double-take when he tasted it and said, “Wait, we didn’t order takeout?” That’s when I knew I’d gotten it right. Now it’s become a weekly staple in our house.

Passing Down the Love of Cooking

Now, as a mom myself, I find so much joy in recreating those special kitchen moments with my own children. Whether we’re making a simple weeknight dinner like Cheese Tortellini with Ham and Peas or attempting something more cozy like Seared Scallops over Pea Puree, the best part is always the time spent together, the flour-covered countertops, the taste-testing, the debates over who gets to crack the eggs, and yes, even the occasional kitchen mishaps that turn into the best stories.

Just last month, Emma (my youngest) insisted on helping me make dinner. She’s at that age where she wants to do everything herself, so I let her measure out ingredients for our pasta dish. She got a bit overzealous with the garlic (okay), she dumped in about six times what the recipe called for, but instead of starting over, we rolled with it. We added some extra cream and a bit more cheese, and you know what? It turned out to be one of the most flavorful dishes we’d made in weeks. Now “Emma’s Extra Garlic Pasta” is a requested family favorite.

Mia, my oldest, has become my official taste-tester and recipe critic. She’s brutally honest, which I actually love. When I was developing my Cauliflower Alfredo Over Zoodles recipe, she tried the first version and said, “Mom, it’s okay, but it tastes too much like cauliflower and not enough like alfredo.

Special Occasions and Date Nights

Living in Phoenix has expanded my palate in wonderful ways. I’ve embraced fresh, seasonal ingredients and love creating recipes that work with our desert climate and lifestyle. When I’m not in the kitchen cooking family meals, you might find me mixing up an Apple Cider Mule for friends on our patio during those perfect Arizona evenings when the temperature finally drops below 100 degrees.

Why I Started Good Thyme Kitchen

I started this blog because I wanted to create a space where I could share not just recipes, but the stories behind them.

I also know how overwhelming cooking can feel, especially when you’re juggling work, kids, and everything else life throws at you. My goal is to make cooking feel accessible, enjoyable, and totally doable, even on your busiest days. I test every recipe multiple times (my family is very well-fed, let me tell you), I provide tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way, and I always try to offer substitutions and shortcuts for when life gets hectic.

Thank you for being here and for letting me share my love of food with you. I hope you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and most importantly, recipes that bring joy to your table. I love hearing from readers, so please don’t hesitate to reach out, share your cooking experiences, or let me know how a recipe turned out for you.

Here’s to good food, good company, and always having a good time in the kitchen.

Kari