Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the incredible women who’ve shaped our lives, and what better way to honor them than through the universal language of food? At What Chefs Want, we’re paying tribute not just to our mothers, but to the cherished recipes they’ve passed down through generations—dishes that have brought comfort, joy, and togetherness to family tables.
Our team has lovingly compiled a collection of their own mothers’ and grandmothers’ recipes, each one filled with the flavors and memories that make this day so special. From heartwarming soups to decadent desserts, these recipes are more than just meals; they are a testament to the love and care that mothers around the world pour into their cooking. Join us as we share these personal culinary treasures, celebrating the wonderful women behind them.
Rita’s Excellent Carrot Cake
Submitted by Zach J., Managing Partner, Colorado
- #20492 – Carrots
- #93209 – Pure Vanilla Extract
- #15065 – Crushed Pineapple in Natural Juice
- #91160 – Cream Cheese
Lynn’s Chicken Salad
Submitted by Sarah R., Chief Marketing Officer
“Mom always made plenty of this to ensure there were leftovers! We’d happily and quickly eat it for days. It was quick and easy for her to make and for us to enjoy for several meals thereafter.”
- #97794 – Duke’s Mayonnaise
- #90468 – Large Baked Croissants – Ghyslain
- #20231 – Bibb Lettuce
- #97379 – Apple Cider Vinegar
Nonnie’s Sun Pickles
Submitted by Sarah B., Marketing
“Pickles have been at the center of so many fond memories: from popping open a jar with my mom to snack on in the middle of a busy day, to making pickles surrounded by the ladies in my family. Pictured here is my sweet Grandma, affectionately known by the kids as Nonnie, passing down her pickle making wisdom to my oldest daughter.”
- #20052 – Pickling cucumbers
- #40008 – Fresh Dill
- #70121 – Peeled Garlic
Maureen’s Cinnamon Pecan Yeast Rolls
Submitted by Lauren C., Inside Sales
My mother remembers the mornings of chaos watching her mother try to keep order as her three rambunctious brothers wrestled in the kitchen and my mother and her older sister’s eagerness to learn the process from their mother. Her mother would be shouting, “No running and wrestling in my kitchen, take it elsewhere” and most importantly “Close the garage door, can’t have any cold drafts as the yeast won’t rise”! To say the least, her blood pressure was on the rise! After each step of the process and seeing the ending results, my mother remembers it being all well worth it! My mother carries all of these same feelings and memories, knowing that her mom and sister are present with her (even though they are no longer with us) gets her through this every time year after year.”
- #95322 – Pecans – pieces
- #98370 – Yeast – active dry
- #97025 – Cinnamon – ground
- #99317 – Sugar – granulated
Sandy’s / Good Enough to Eat Vegetarian Chili
Submitted by Anna H., Program Director, Local Foods
“Good Enough to Eat is a wonderful restaurant in New York City’s upper West Side where my mom’s brother decamped to as a longtime server when he left Cincinnati as an aspiring actor. Via this cookbook and a few visits there, a NYC restaurant’s family-style meals merged with our favorites, too. The veggie chili is a special one that my mom makes, and it really benefits from frying the spices first. It is absolutely perfect for local summer veg, so it’s perfect for my family’s continuing history of merging farming and restaurant life together.”
- #20058 – Eggplant
- #20601 – Yellow Squash
- #20803 – Red Bell Pepper
- #20801 – Green Bell Pepper
- #70015 – Red Onion – Diced
- #31757 – Smoked Paprika Flakes – Sweet
Elaine’s French Onion Soup
Submitted by Lauren K, Marketing
“My Grandy made the absolutely most amazing French onion soup and it is one of the very few recipes that we have left after she died. I have memories of my sister and I in my kitchen, tears running down our cheeks, slaving over slicing those onions as thinly as possible to make Grandy proud.”
- #70001 – Yellow onions
- #96103 – Beef base
- #95212 – Dijon mustard
- #91275 – Swiss cheese
Cheryl’s Cranberry Caramel Date Bars
Submitted by Amy R., Sales, Colorado
“Cheryl sends my wife and I these Caramel bars every Christmas and they are by far, the thing I look forward to most during the holiday season!”
Dee’s Spicy Chicken Tomato & Garlic Soup
Submitted by Megan D., Marketing
“My mom always made this soup any time someone in our family was sick and swore by its healing abilities. To this day, any time I have a cold, all I want is this soup!”
- #31674 – Chicken stock
- #00923 – Chicken thighs
- #97032 – Cumin
- #99203 – Lime juice
*All products may not be available in each region. Please check the app or reach out to your customer advocate for availability.
