Cooks We Love: Katie Garcia-Swann

Katie Garcia-Swann is the face behind the cake. After taking home the win in our 2020 Strawberry Baking Contest, we were anxious to learn more about her and how her delicious creations ended up on tables around Nashville.

Katie is a South Texas native, raised in the small town of Sinton. After completing the baking and pastry program at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, she packed up her tiny Dodge Dart and embarked on her journey to Nashville with a position lined up at Omni Hotels and Resorts.

In the last three years, Katie has racked up some big names on her resume, working for chefs including Hal M. Holden-Bache of Lockeland Table and Maneet Chauhan at The Mockingbird. Most recently, Katie opened E3 Chophouse in Hillsboro Village as their Executive Pastry chef, but after her position was furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, katiecakes.net was born.

Katie’s creations are pretty, delicious, and made with purpose. Check them out on her website or follow her on Instagram @youkneadkatiecakes.

And don't forget to check out her contest-winning recipe for Strawberry Olive Oil Cake with Lemon Curd and Whipped Cream.