My maternal grandmother, Mrs. Pauline Villanueva, with Mrs. Elizabeth H. Maddux at her ranch, El Negro, featured in Ultra, a
San Antonio societal magazine August 1982.
My mother and brother baking a cake at my childhood home.
Growing up in Midland TX, I always frustrated my parents by moving furniture around. Now I do it for a living!
My maternal great grandparents, Mr. Pedro and Mrs. Antonia Gallindo, at their rural farm in Karnes County.
My paternal great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Senovia Martinez, holding my grandmother, Isabella Martinez, at their Falfurrias TX home where Senovia fed migrant workers.
Warmest of welcomes, I am Ms. Gina Garcia, the sole proprietress of Cottage and Casita Interior Design, Hospitality, and Concierge Services. I am proud to continue the tradition of entrepreneurship, hospitality and culinary arts my family has curated for generations. My maternal grandmother owned and operated a cantina in Karnes county on the rural property of my great grandfather's farm in south Texas. She then became a professional chef and caterer for two sprawling south Texas properties, the Cochran Ranch and El Negro Ranch. She had the honor of serving Mrs. Julia Child, who loved her cooking by the way, and set an incredible standard of excellence I continuously strive to attain daily.
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My paternal great grandmother foresaw the need for lodging and food for migrant farm workers in Falfurrias TX, and opened her home to let rooms and provide delicious, homecooked meals warming the bellies of traveling families. Her daughter, my grandmother, worked with her to run the home business making thirty dozen homemade tortillas daily, and continued into her final days making tamales, postres, and all our family favorites.
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Memories are a vital ingredient in cooking, they define why only one person can make that one dish that one way. History is in the hands. When I was running around my grandmother's skirts, sneaking bits of dough and sweets, I would ask how they knew how to cook when there was no recipe to follow? They advised, one day I would know, and when that happened, I would be a worthy cook. I know now. I instinctually season dishes until I softly hear my ancestors whisper, "Yaaa mija".
I smile with nostalgic love as my son sneaks bits of dough and sweets around my skirts, knowing the magical ingredient of memory is warmly embracing him. I honor my family when I cook, welcome guests into my home, and extend the love of hospitality to my friends, family, and community.
So you are most welcome, I can't wait to meet you and share my love of hospitality with you!​​​​​​
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I have lived and worked in Mansfield TX for over ten years. Our wonderful little town is growing quickly with high quality establishments and businesses. It is time for quality design and hospitality services close to home. Most of us have full-time work schedules with aging parents and growing children whose needs and wants continue to increase while time with friends, loved ones, personal interests, and self care continue to decrease. Sometimes you just need a little quality help to get it all done. Having an experienced, professionally vetted, mature, polished professional to help with your tasks and family members, who deserve the best care possible, lightens your physical load and mental burden.
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I am proud to serve all members of our community, regardless of any wonderful and unique titles and characteristics that differentiate us. I will gladly make every effort to accommodate guests with special needs. Please reach out and we will curate services respectful to your required accommodations.
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I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business, and the honor of maintaining it.
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Thank you.
My grandmother, Isabella Martinez, already cooking for the family business.
The Garcia family are proud pioneers of Falfurrias TX. Here my great grandfather, Hilario Garcia, is having a city street name dedicated in his honor and is still in place today. My grandfather, Gilberto Garcia, is pictured at his side.
