For Mother’s Day, we would like to celebrate the incredible moms of the Southern California food scene, as well as those who have inspired some of SoCal’s most lovable restaurants. We talked to some of our UberEATS restaurant partners about the challenges of juggling motherhood and careers, as well as how family and food intersect in their lives. These women certainly know how to handle the heat and we applaud them for their hard work!

 

Nanette McWhertor, VP of Operations and People Development, STACKED

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As a VP at STACKED, Nanette knows a thing or two when it comes to running a tight ship. She scored her first job at age 14 at an ice cream shop, and has been in the restaurant industry ever since. Apart from being a mom and mentor to 400 employees at STACKED, Nanette and her husband have three children, TK, Molly and Maggie. They score perfect points when it comes to holding Sunday night family dinners, an impressive feat when Nanette is coordinating her kids between all their extracurricular activities. No matter how busy everyone is, it’s the best family time of the week.

“I think the biggest challenge is that I am always on call during waking hours, and sometimes during sleeping ones. There’s always something going on, so while I may be at a school assembly or just having family time, it can get interrupted at any moment to help someone at the restaurant.  It works the other way too. The answer? Balance!”

 

Jane Lockhart, Founder, Sweet Lady Jane

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Food has always been a huge part of Jane’s family. Some of her best memories are shared with loved ones around the table. When her family came to the US from Poland in 1906, her entire family lived within blocks of each other in the Bronx. Family dinner was held every Sunday night at her mother’s house, and Jane always helped in the kitchen. Her aunt and uncle used to joke that Jane was the cleanest chef, never a spot on her apron. As a result, the family nicknamed her Lady Jane for always being neat and proper! When it came for Jane to open her own bakery, naming the bakery was as easy as pie. Sweet Lady Jane opened its doors in 1988 and has been a Southern California staple ever since!

“Yetta (my grandmother) was an excellent baker, her home always had a table filled with baked goods. My mother would always joke that the baking gene skipped a generation. I’ve always been inspired by my grandmother and mother. Yetta’s memories live on through my recipes.”

 

Linda Pearson, Co-Owner, Dinah’s Fried Chicken


Dinah’s Fried Chicken in Glendale is a true story about family, as 4 generations are involved with the restaurant. Mae Pearson, the original owner, passed down the restaurant to her kids, and now Linda and her husband Scott, Mae’s son, carry on the legacy. Family comes first for Linda. Even during the holidays, which are the busiest days for the restaurant, Linda makes it a priority to not sacrifice spending quality time with her family. She’s hoping that her grandson, now 22 years old, wants to join the Dinah’s legacy and take them to another 50 years.

“Family is very important to the Pearsons and even more so, we see Dinah’s Staff & Patrons as our extended family. It has gotten to be that Family & Dinah’s are one in the same.”


Laura Piedra, Owner & Chef, Tierra Caliente 

When Laura first opened Tierra Caliente, a small yet buzzing Mexican restaurant in the heart of Cypress Park, she had no prior experience in the restaurant biz. A stay-at-home mom to three kids – Jesse, Angie and Amy – they gave her the inspiration and support to open her dream business. On opening day, masses of family, friends and new customers showed up, more than beyond her expectations, proving just how many people she had on her team.

“It’s more difficult to be a chef than a mother, my kids have never given me problems, and I want to satisfy all customers! I would like to have more time to better things at the restaurant, but at the same time, I want to give my kids my full and undivided attention. But I love these everyday challenges.”

 

Moms are the best, show her what a good job she does with a lovely little something – or a whole lotta something – from UberEATS. Let us handle the meals so you can spend quality time with her.