Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate the woman often behind every cherished meal, every comfort dish and every lesson in the kitchen. For many of us, our love of food began with her. But while honouring mom is the goal, planning the perfect Mother’s Day can be tricky, with endless dining options and the stress of securing a reservation. Edify spoke to local chefs and food enthusiasts on how their mothers shaped their love of food, and where they recommend taking mom for a special, stress-free celebration.
Josie Dib remembers her mother as the kind of woman who made everything look easy — even while raising four children and managing a busy home. “One thing that really stands out is her patience with food and not overcomplicating the dish,” she says. “That’s something I’ve taken from my childhood.”
Now, as the chef and founder behind Sweet Mezza, a Lebanese-fusion bakery, she still calls her mother for advice. “There’s just something about my mom’s ways of doing things.”
At Sweet Mezza — known for its ultra-fresh dips and flatbreads — Dib’s culinary roots are on full display. Everything she makes is designed to be shared: hummus, baba ganoush, pita and more, all crafted with the same simplicity and intention that shaped the meals of her childhood. You can find her goods at the Strathcona Farmers’ Market, the St. Albert Farmers’ Market, and wholesale through H&W Produce.
This Mother’s Day, she hopes to create moments of peace and relaxation centered around food. “Her love language is quality time.” Dib plans to start the day with a walk down Whyte Avenue and a stop for coffee from her go-to spot Cafe Mosaics, a vegetarian spot known for its art-lined walls and smooth lattes, followed by a pedicure and the main event for her mother — reservations at Sabor, where the menu leans heavily on Iberian-inspired seafood.
“She loves her seafood,” Dib says. “She just craves seafood all the time.”
Blair Junior McFarlane’s earliest memories of food are set to the beat of weekend dance parties — DJs spinning records, the smell of grilled meats thick in the air and a blur of people moving between the kitchen and the backyard. His mom and dad — Caribbean immigrants — hosted these gatherings regularly, cooking for community members and turning food into an act of celebration. And those moments left a mark.
Years later, that sense of rhythm and gathering found new life in Red Star, the downtown bar and restaurant he co-owns. Known for its intimate vibe and curated music (often DJ’d by McFarlane himself), Red Star has been an Edmonton nightlife staple for over two decades.
His mom even cooked alongside him when he opened Red Star in 2004, participating in Caribbean-themed pop-up nights that lasted for about 10 years. These nights featured classic Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken, curry goat and oxtail.
Red Star’s menu — designed by McFarlane’s close friend, chef Daniel Costa — reflects his mom’s spirit of unfussy comfort and quality. His mom lives in Jamaica, but if she were in town for Mother’s Day, McFarlane says he’d take her to one of Costa’s spots — such as Italian restaurant Olia, or cocktail bar Mimi. Both offer refined yet welcoming dining, and are at the top of mom’s list of places to try.
For Stephanie Truong, her childhood is associated with the aroma of food wafting from her mother’s kitchen. Raised in a Vietnamese household, her most vivid food memories are tied to her mother’s dishes — flavourful, layered meals that, for Truong, no restaurant can replicate.
“Some of the dishes she cooks take me right back to my childhood,” says Truong. “Even after all the restaurants I’ve tried, nothing compares to a home-cooked meal.”
Warm, tough and hardworking, Truong’s mother is also her biggest cheerleader. That quiet but constant support has shaped how Truong approaches her own work as a food blogger, running Ms. Hangry Foodie.
“She leads by example, and I’ve carried that with me in who I am today.”
When it comes to Mother’s Day, Truong gravitates toward places that match her mom’s vibe: laid-back, welcoming and full of heart. A go-to-pick? Tiramisu Bistro, a cozy Italian-inspired cafe. Specifically, she loves the charming domes offering a little extra privacy.
Truong is also eyeing something a little more out-of-the-box this year — a Mother’s Day brunch cruise aboard the Edmonton Riverboat. With an indulgent buffet, live music and half-priced mimosas, it’s a way to soak in the sunshine and celebrate the day with a splash.
