Say Thanks With Food This Mother's Day

Our mums have been feeding us since we were born, so it's no surprise they're often the ones who inspire a love of good food in us.

On Mother's Day, the official day to recognise mums, you can give back and say thanks for the years of baked dinners, birthday cakes and school lunches with a delicious meal just for her.

Mums shape our taste buds

Mothers play a big role in food education. The flavours you taste as a child stay with you and can influence what you enjoy well into adulthood. For some chefs, the dishes their mothers made them in their childhood inspired their passion for cooking and have helped them along to becoming a culinary success story.

Guy Grossi, Australian chef and owner of multiple restaurants in Melbourne including Grossi Florentino, was influenced by his mother and her constant presence in the kitchen. With his mother cooking all day every day, he was encouraged to join in the process, picking beans and chopping onions with her. Grossi was inspired and eventually followed his mother's footsteps, going into the family business and using the skills and recipes his mother taught him in their family home in his restaurants today. She also instilled her resourceful and generous approach to cooking in him that is reflected in his restaurant processes.

Celebrity chef Kylie Kwong also attributes her cooking talents to her mother. Kwong said that she learned about food by going to the fresh food markets with her mother and helping in the kitchen where she practiced the flavours and techniques of her Chinese ancestors. Now, at her restaurant, Billy Kwong, they have about 25 dishes and 10 of them come directly from her mother's recipes. Yet Kwong inherited more than the food itself from her mother – it's the emotion that goes into her dishes that has made her such a sensation. She explained that her mother expressed her love to her husband and children through her food, and although the family didn't have much money, meals at the Kwong table were the highlight of their days.

Let her dine in style

If you'd like to repay your mother for some of the amazing meals you've experienced over the years or for instilling a love for food in you, consider saying thanks with a special Mother's Day meal. Take her out and spoil her at a classy restaurant she might not usually go to. These restaurants are offering Mother's Day specials to sweeten the deal.

Geppetto Trattoria

Location: 78a Wellington Parade, East Melbourne

Geppetto's is an Italian restaurant that's been family owned since 1981. Chef Nino and his son provide a variety of fresh, local and authentic dishes including pasta, slow cooked meals, and seafood. Geppetto's is offering a special Mother's Day deal, where you can treat your mum to an Italian feast for $45pp by choosing from popular dishes including homemade gnocchi and a range of fresh fish options.

Altair Restaurant

Location:152 Yarra Street, Warrandyte, Victoria

Located in the heart of Warrandyte and on the edge of the Yarra Valley, Altair offers a memorable dining experience with a range of dishes from the garden, sea and farm. With food and wine sourced locally, you'll be provided with an authentic dish alongside a fine wine of your choosing. Altair is also offering a special Mother's Day deal, with a three course lunch available for $80pp.

Riley St Garage

Location: 55 Riley St, Woolloomooloo, NSW

Once a full service garage, now transformed into a restaurant and bar, Riley St Garage offers a modern Australian cuisine with a focus on share plates. The oyster bar is also a major attraction, featuring an extensive cocktail list, craft beers, and a range of whiskeys. Riley St Garage is offering a special Mother's Day deal with a seven course set menu at $95pp that will leave your mum feeling satisfied and spoilt.

Whitewater Restaurant

Location: 35 South Steyne, Manly, NSW

Also offering contemporary Australian cuisine, Whitewater Restaurant in Manly has an exquisitely prepared menu filled with pasta and dishes from the sea and grill. It also features an extensive wine list, range of coffees and professional service to top it all off. Overlooking the sea, Whitewater offers a memorable and relaxing dining experience. With a free glass of bubbles for all mums on Mother's Day, this could be the perfect way to treat your mum.

OTTO Brisbane

Location: Level 4, 480 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD

Offering modern Italian dishes, OTTO Brisbane is the perfect casual restaurant to take your mum this Mother's Day. OTTO overlooks the Brisbane River and Story Bridge, providing a picturesque setting alongside the quality food. You can also find a Mother's Day deal here, with OTTO offering a two course menu from $75pp.

The Fish House

Location: 50 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads, QLD

With world-class dining and a breathtaking view of Burleigh Heads, The Fish House is a high-quality restaurant with an outstanding reputation. It offers a range of cuisines and a changing seasonal menu that never disappoints. Treat your mum at The Fish House this Mother's Day with a meal here and complementary bubbles for all mums.

Try your hand in the kitchen

If you think your mum would prefer something homemade from the heart, opt for the classic breakfast in bed. Let her sleep in while you whip up favourites like scrambled eggs or mushroom bruschetta. If she has a sweet tooth you could try some pancakes or waffles with maple syrup and ice cream. No matter what you decide, just don't forget to wash up once you're done!

Treat your mum with what she deserves

Even if you're not confident in the kitchen, you could still get up early and surprise your mum with some fresh coffee, pastries from a local store and a bunch of flowers. Mother's Day is all about showing your appreciation for the years of love and care your mother gave you, so say thank you this Mother's Day with the gift of good food!

Good Food Gift Card offers gift cards for a range of restaurants with special Mother's Day deals, so gift your mum one to spoil her with the perfect meal this Mother's Day.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.

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