A love letter to Puerto Rican cooking through 100 recipes interwoven with stories, histories, and traditions that shine with joy and a celebratory spirit, from TikTok star and Next Level Chef runner-up Omi Hopper Growing up in Puerto Rico, food had as much of an impact on Omi Hopper’s life as the culture. When her family moved to the mainland, Omi began to lose her connection with the island. So, she started cookingconomi to tie her life as a wife and mother to her desire to keep her culture alive and thriving. Cooking con Omi is a celebration of Puerto Rican cooking with 100 classic and US-influenced Latino dishes that capture the vibrant, warm, and lively essence of Puerto Rican culture, including: Tostadas Francesas de Pasta de Guayaba y Queso / Guava and Cheese French Toast - Guanimes en Coco con Bacalao Guisado / Coconut Dumplings with Stewed Codfish - Mofongo / Mashed Plantain with Garlic and Pork Crackling - Sanocho / Hearty Meat and Vegetable Stew - Pernil / Roasted Pork - Flancocho de Chocolate y Dulce de Leche / Chocolate and Dulce de Leche Flancocho - Bizcocho Nube de Parcha / Passionfruit Cloud Cake For Omi, cooking is not a task or a chore, but a memory-making experience. It’s the crush of garlic in a pilón, the scent of sizzling sofrito, the bubbling of the caldero alongside the music and laughter of a full house of loved ones settling down to eat. Each section includes an introduction from Omi, sidebars about the origin of ingredients, headnotes with the stories behind each recipe, vibrant full-color photography, and an overall message of love and unity Omi communicates through her food. Ultimately, Cooking con Omi is a culinary record about the power of food to keep tradition alive. For some, it will be a chance to visit Puerto Rico through these mouthwatering dishes; for others, it will be a way back home. “Omi is truly an incredible cook—trust me, I saw it firsthand. It’s so exciting to see her passion put into every page of Cooking con Omi . You’re in for quite the treat!” —Gordon Ramsay, Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, author, and television personality “Omi brings such amazing heart and soul to her cooking! Her joyful spirit resonates in every recipe, story, and photograph. A true light in this world, Cooking con Om i celebrates Puerto Rican cuisine in such an incredibly thoughtful, beautiful way.” —Nyesha Arrington, chef, television personality, and restaurateur “Omi’s warmth and personal story are woven into every dish in Cooking con Omi . Her cooking lingers not just because of the flavors, but because each recipe tells a story—one baked with charm, heritage, and her own remarkable journey.” —David Begnaud, CBS news contributor and host of Beg-Knows America “From the moment I saw Omi, I was struck by how talented, personable, and genuinely awesome she is. What a pleasant surprise to discover that the honest, vibrant energy you see online and on TV is exactly the same in person. Needless to say, I am absolutely thrilled about Cooking con Omi . Experiencing Omi’s way of celebrating Puerto Rican cuisine—and the island she so deeply loves—through her food is an absolute treat. I will devour every page and savor her essence in every dish and every word.” —Roselyn Sánchez, actress and singer-songwriter “The heart of Cooking con Omi is rooted in Omi’s Puerto Rican heritage. Blended with her culinary vision, her cooking, and her essence, Omi is always authentic.” —Ivy Queen, rapper, singer, and actress “There are books that teach you how to cook and others that take you on a journey. Cooking con Omi does both with warmth and technique, and Omi fills her recipes with flavor and love for our culture. This book deserves a permanent place in every kitchen.” —Raúl Correa Soto, chef and restaurateur of BACOA Finca + Fogón and Aldeana Omallys “Omi” Hopper is a food entrepreneur and content creator known for putting Puerto Rican cuisine on the map. She’s been featured on CBS Mornings, ABC News, The Today Show, Univision's "Despierta America," and was recently a semifinalist on FOX's Next Level Chef with Chef Gordon Ramsey. She has garnered a substantial following across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and she lives in Rhode Island with her husband and four boys.