Article by Renata Haidle

Some of the most memorable meals in my life weren’t the ones served on fine china in fancy restaurants, crafted by famous chefs, and meticulously decorated with edible flowers and artistic sauce droplets. They were the ones that my mother cooked at the end of a long day with those hardworking hands that had fed me since childhood. The meals tasted like home, like comfort, like love. Pure ingredients, not too many, coming together in dishes I remember fondly to this day. 

Mothers don’t just cook; they orchestrate. They are the quiet force behind every family meal. They balance flavors, budgets, schedules, and traditions with the kind of skill that would make a five-star chef envious. They cater to everyone's dietary requirements and appease picky eaters. Long before meal planning became trendy, moms were already masters of it, stretching ingredients, accommodating unexpected guests, and making sure no one left the table hungry. 

THE CEO OF THE KITCHEN 

From writing grocery lists to ensuring everyone eats something nutritious (even if it has to be snuck into a sauce or cleverly hidden in a yummy muffin), moms are the ultimate kitchen managers. They know which pantry staples to stock, how to make a meal last two days, and when to swap ingredients to make do with what is on hand. They can turn leftovers into something new, whip up a quick meal when plans change, and instinctively know how much food is “enough” for a family gathering. It is a balancing act of time, money, and energy that often goes unnoticed but is deeply felt in every meal served. 

WORLD'S FIRST COOKING INSTRUCTOR 

Moms are often our first cooking teachers, whether we realize it at the time or not. Long before I started reading recipes, I watched my mom in action: peeling, chopping, and mixing vegetables in simmering pots. Grinding meat and magically turning it into the best sausage. Combining flour, butter, and sugar into the most delicious desserts. Lessons were taught in casual moments: “This is how you make an omelet fluffy,” or “Always taste before adding more salt.” We spent countless afternoons in her tiny kitchen. Most of the time, she did the work while I told her about my day, dreams, and plans. Yet somehow, many years later, whenever I try to recreate one of her dishes for my own family, I can easily recall the ingredients, steps, and final product. Do we have a special spot in our memory that helps us retrieve such information? Perhaps. 

THE RECIPE KEEPER 

For many families, recipes weren’t written down but taught through experience. Mom did have a well-worn notebook with recipes jotted down in her elegant cursive handwriting, but she rarely used it. Her cooking was intuitive, like her mother's and grandmother's. One taste of the sauce, and she could easily determine what could make it even better. She instinctively knew how much milk was necessary to thin the crêpe batter to the right consistency or how much garlic to add to a pork dish (we are Romanians; it was quite a bit!). Besides learning mere recipes, I also learned the patience and care that go into making food for others. She was never too tired to cook a good meal nor too much in a hurry to skip it altogether. 

THE KEEPER OF MANNERS AND MEMORIES 

The kitchen isn’t just a place where food is made. It is also where lessons are learned. Table manners, for one. Moms remind us to chew with our mouths closed, pass the bread before taking our own, and say "thank you" before leaving the table. Beyond etiquette, they teach the deeper meaning of shared meals: togetherness, gratitude, and care. 

So many of life’s meaningful conversations happen at the dinner table, where mothers create space for family connections. The meals they serve become the backdrop for childhood memories, where traditions take root and love is woven into every bite. 

A MOTHER’S DAY TRIBUTE 

On this Mother’s Day, let's take a moment to celebrate not just the meals our mothers have made throughout the years but all the effort, thought, and love behind them. Let’s honor the planning, the budgeting, the teaching, and the countless quiet ways they made sure we were nourished in every sense of the word. 

My mom stopped cooking a few years ago. Alzheimer's robbed her of most of her skills, and this one was no different. I cook to honor her, to keep her close to my heart, and to pass down her heritage to my children. Many of the recipes I've shared with you on the pages of this magazine are the ones I learned from Mom. 

If you are lucky enough to still have your mother with you, maybe today is the day to return the favor by making her a meal, setting her a place at the table, and remembering that the most important ingredient has always been love. 

Originally printed in the May 2025 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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