BAVINA SOOKDEO
Earlier this month, Trinidad and Tobago’s Natasha Laggan had the honour of attending her first private YouTube event in Miami, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Latin Grammy Music Awards.
Laggan was among a group of influencers personally invited by YouTube to take part in its Creator Collective Meetup, a highlight of the YouTube Music Party in Miami. The event took place on November 12, at Club Graza in Wynwood, Miami.
At 41, Laggan, widely known for her channel Trini Cooking with Natasha, has become a household name for food enthusiasts worldwide. Originally from Couva, she moved to the US in 2009 after marrying.
Today, she is celebrated not only as a home cook but as a cultural ambassador for TT’s rich culinary heritage, driven by her mission to document, recreate and share authentic flavours with a global audience.
Reflecting on her invitation to YouTube’s private event, Laggan shared her delight: “When I got the invitation, I was really excited. Every week, YouTube sends us opportunities to attend events across the US.
"One of them was an all-expenses-paid trip to the Paris Olympics, but I couldn’t go, because it was during my son’s school time. When the invitation came for the Miami Latin Grammy Music Awards party, I said I definitely had to go.
"It was amazing to see and meet so many influencers – especially Latin influencers. It was so nice of YouTube to host that event. I totally loved it; it was such a great experience.”
Laggan is also part of exclusive content creator groups on YouTube and TikTok, where she participates in boot camps, training sessions, and other activities to refine her craft.
“I get weekly opportunities, but cannot attend all of them due to personal commitments.”
Laggan had a childhood love for cooking, inspired by shows like Caribbean Flavours with Newsday contributor Wendy Rahamut and B Smith with Style.
“I always loved cooking and wished to be like them one day,” she said.
In October 2015, encouraged by her friends Jamie and Lisa, who often sought her recipe guidance, as well as her cousin Richard, who suggested YouTube as a platform, Laggan launched her channel, intentionally crafted to focus on cooking and lifestyle, drawing inspiration from the shows that captivated her during childhood.
In November 2015, just after starting it, Laggan discovered she was pregnant. Despite the challenges, she persevered.
“When my son was born prematurely and in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), I spent every day at the hospital for a month. At night, I’d come home and still record. Even after he came home, I kept going. I’m a driven, hardworking person and a big dreamer.”
Initially, her channel was named Cooking with Natasha, but she later added “Trini” to emphasise her roots. “Someone suggested using the word ‘Trini’ to make it easier for people searching for Trini content to find me. It was a brilliant idea – it worked!”
Though growth was slow – 1,000 followers in two years – her passion kept her motivated.
“I just loved what I
