In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked some of Nashville’s most beloved chefs and restaurateurs to reflect on the women who shaped their culinary journey. Whether it was a grandmother’s ritual of slow-simmered mole, a mother’s insistence on cleanliness, or a family tradition of stirring the perfect roux, their stories speak to the power of matriarchal influence in the kitchen. Here, three local talents share the advice and inspiration passed down to them—and how it continues to shape their kitchens today.
Chef Richard Sandoval | Lona
“She taught me that every ingredient matters, and quality always comes first. — Richard Sandoval
For Top Chef Masters alum and Lona consulting chef Richard Sandoval, culinary discipline began at his grandmother’s stove.
“One of the most powerful lessons I learned from my grandmother was watching her make mole. It wasn’t just a recipe—it was a ritual,” Sandoval said. “She would toast each chile by hand, grind spices with a mortar and pestle, and layer flavors slowly, always reminding me that the soul of the dish came from patience and care.
If the chocolate wasn’t just right, or the chiles weren’t properly dried, she’d start over. That level of discipline and respect for ingredients has shaped how I run my kitchens today. Whether we’re creating a traditional dish or a modern interpretation, we never cut corners. That early experience taught me that great food is about honoring where you come from—and that starts with what you put into the pan.”
Jah Landis | Alba’s Empanadas
“Alba’s Empanadas is a reminder—to me and to everyone who supports our little slice of home—to always be grateful, to take care of what you have, to take pride in your culture and who you are, and to hold space for others to do the same.” — Jah Landis
At Alba’s Empanadas in the Gulch, founder Jah Landis pays tribute to his late mother, Alba Rosa, through more than just the name.
“One of the most important kitchen rules I learned from my mother is cleanliness,” Jah shares. “My mom didn’t play when it came to keeping her home, especially her kitchen, spotless. When I reflect on it, I think it probably stemmed from the fact that we came from humble beginnings, and taking care of the things she had control over—her home and her family—gave her a great sense of pride. Keeping a clean kitchen was one of the first things that was drilled into me from the moment I was old enough to do chores and it’s something that has defined my approach to running my own kitchen at Alba’s.
I’ve learned to deeply appreciate the importance of taking care of the things we are blessed with. I’m forever thankful for my tough Panamanian mama and the values she instilled in me—values I hold close to my heart and pass forward to my son. My mother inspired so much good—not only in me but in everyone she crossed paths with. I always knew that the first establishment I ever opened would be a namesake to the late, great Alba Rosa. We are nothing without the amazing women who sacrifice so much to look after us and teach us the importance of home and family.”
Chef Andre’ Jordan | Gathre
“My mother and grandmother taught me that the key is patience, the more you have, the better the results.” — Andre’ Jordan
Chef Andre’ Jordan, the newly appointed executive chef at Gathre, traces his love of cooking sauces back to his earliest lessons in the kitchen.
“One of the pivotal cooking lessons my grandmother and mother taught me was how to make a delicious roux,” Andre’ shares. “For many sauces, the thickening agent is a roux—half flour, half butter, or rendered fat from a protein. I fell in love with making sauces later in my career, and the roux was the foundation—the starting point of a rich and flavorful sauce or gravy.
My mother and grandmother taught me that the key is patience, the more you have, the better the results. I approach my job in the same way, taking time with the operation and my staff to build flavor and substance, and to produce great future chefs, delicious food, and deliver exceptional results in hospitality.”
Cheers to moms and matriarchs everywhere who have influenced careers of all kinds. Happy Mother’s Day!
Read my grandmother’s entrepreneurial journey here.
