Chef, author, and creator Tineke “Tini” Younger first caught audiences’ attention on Next Level Chef, where her warmth and creativity made her a standout. Since then, she’s built a massive community on TikTok and Instagram, sharing comforting, down-to-earth recipes that celebrate connection through food—and even launched her own YouTube series on Gordon Ramsay’s Bite Originals channel. Now, as she prepares to welcome twins, Tini is entering a new chapter—one that’s less about competition and more about connection. We caught up with her to talk about how motherhood is reshaping her relationship with food, creativity, and love.
You’ve built such a loyal TikTok following by making cooking feel fun and real. What do you think it is about your approach that keeps people engaged and inspired to cook along?
I like to present an easy approach to recipes and try to show as many step by steps as possible. I am a visual learner so I love to teach people in my style of learning. I like to show how to dice an onion, how to slice a carrot, how to make a roux- not just the already prepped food.
Your cooking often feels rooted in connection—whether it’s for your partner, your followers, or now your growing family. How has your relationship with cooking as an act of love evolved over time?
I like to take my loved ones’ favorite meals and elevate them until they are perfect for them. For example, my mac and cheese. It started out asking Antoine while we were dating what would you like for dinner? Then after I made it, I asked what he would change. So with each attempt it would get closer and closer to what he thought was perfect in his mind. Now I have a recipe that not only Antoine loves but over 13 million people as well! Comfort food feels central to your style—whether it’s your braised short ribs or those cozy homemade soups fans love.
What draws you to that kind of food, and how do you balance nostalgic dishes with the creative twists your followers expect?
Usually, the weather will determine what kind of food I make that day. Normally on hotter days I like to make more refreshing items that have a herb base to them. In the winter/cooler months, I lean more towards soups, chili, and roasts.
I tend to use more flavor at the beginning of recipes than at the end. I like to switch out oil to like bacon fat. I like to bloom my seasonings in most of my dishes to enhance the flavors.
You make cooking look so joyful and approachable—even when things don’t go perfectly. What’s your secret to keeping that sense of fun in the kitchen?
I tend not to stress about mistakes or errors because I know that sometimes they can turn into tasty unexpected surprises.
Pregnancy is such a transformative time. How has preparing for life with twins shaped the way you think about food, cravings, or cooking for a growing family?
Nothing really has changed since I cook almost everyday. I look forward to introducing the girls to all different varieties of foods. My goal is to keep them from being the typical picky eaters.
Recipes like your sheet-pan maple Dijon chicken have become weeknight staples for so many of your followers. As you think about this next season, do you see yourself leaning even more into easy, family-friendly meals?
I plan on keeping them the same as I do now; a nice mix of both family friendly and complex. I take my chef training seriously and want to always practice and perfect those skills that I worked so hard at achieving.
Are there recipes or food traditions from your own childhood that you’re especially excited to share with your kids one day?
I was lucky to grow up with a Dutch heritage that I would like to continue with my kids. One tradition is making oliebollen on New Year’s eve. Oliebollen is literally translated to oil ball. Sort of like a cross between a donut and beignet.
You’ve partnered with organizations like No Kid Hungry to fight food insecurity. Has becoming a mom deepened your perspective on feeding families and the power of food to bring people Together?
Growing up my family has always participated in food drives helping out the less fortunate. I feel like I have always had the passion and drive to make feeding families a priority.If anything, I feel like becoming a mom just brings out the importance of making sure my kids continue on with the lessons I learned as a child.
And we have to ask—your brown butter chocolate chip cookies have become a bit of a fan favorite. What’s the story behind that recipe, and why do you think it connects with so many People?
When in culinary school I learned how browning butter adds a nutty flavor and enhances the flavor of vanilla, taking the traditional chocolate chip cookie to a whole other level.
