Innovative App Captures Family Recipes on Video for Generations to Come

Innovative App Captures Family Recipes on Video for Generations to Come

A unique initiative to preserve family recipes originated with a cherished grandmother and her beloved couscous dish.

Brothers Zach and Matthew Mashaal, aged 16 and 17, hail from Roslyn, New York. They have a deep appreciation for their family’s traditional holiday meals. However, they faced a dilemma. With a large family of approximately 80 members gathering for celebrations, they realized the difficulty of replicating their favorite recipes without proper guidance.

Recognizing the potential to create a centralized repository for these treasured culinary secrets, they took the initiative to record their grandmother preparing her signature couscous. “I decided to record my grandmother cooking her famous couscous that we all love, and I’m going to put it into our group chat,” Zach Mashaal shared.

Following the video’s success within their family group chat, relatives expressed interest in more recordings. This positive feedback fueled the brothers’ ambition, leading to the launch of the Make It Like Mama app in December.

The Mission Behind Make It Like Mama

Zach elaborated on the purpose of their app, stating, “The goal is to preserve these cultural recipes for our kids’ kids.” The app represents a fusion of the brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit and their commitment to family traditions.

As students in entrepreneurship classes, they adopted a solution-oriented approach to problems. Matthew stated, “When there’s a problem, we know to conquer that with a solution. We’re solution-driven like that.” This mindset inspired them to create something meaningful that many families could utilize.

The Mashaal brothers understood they were not alone in their struggle to safeguard family recipes. According to Matthew, Make It Like Mama is a platform that is “people love to have and should be in every household.” He emphasized the importance of making the app accessible to everyone.

From Concept to Creation

Driven by their vision, the brothers outlined the app’s features and found a developer to bring their idea to life. The beta version of Make It Like Mama debuted in early 2024, transforming the family group chat into a more extensive, interactive experience.

Users can upload videos showcasing traditional dishes, creating a digital archive that ensures these culinary creations are not forgotten. Zach noted, “Basically, you can upload videos publicly, for everyone to see, and you can also upload within a group.” This flexibility encourages user engagement.

To enhance usability, the app allows videos to be segmented into steps, making it easier for users to follow along with longer recipes. “It doesn’t get too confusing on the longer side,” Zach explained. This feature creates a seamless cooking experience for both novice and experienced cooks.

Community and Connection

The ability to comment on videos fosters a sense of community among users. Zach emphasized, “It makes a deep connection, which is why we love it.” Family interaction plays a crucial role in the app’s design, allowing users to share memories and stories related to the dishes being prepared.

The app is particularly valuable for families looking to honor their culinary heritage. Matthew explained that it helps individuals remember loved ones who either invented recipes or taught others how to prepare them. He stated, “Our family has a whole group on the app, and other families can, too.”

Simplicity Meets Functionality

Zach emphasized the importance of simplicity in the app’s design. It caters to users of all ages, ensuring that both tech-savvy young people and older generations can navigate it with ease. He remarked, “Everyone can use it – either tech-savvy kids or our older generation. Everyone can upload these videos and everyone gets the same experience.” This inclusive approach to technology provides an enjoyable experience for all family members.

The Mashaal brothers take pride in their Iraqi and Moroccan heritage, yet their favorite recipe featured on the app is an Italian classic: spaghetti and meatballs. “Every Wednesday is spaghetti and meatballs night, and we love it so much,” said Zach.

However, with their mother’s recent return to graduate school, the brothers’ weekly tradition faced disruption. In response, Zach recorded a video of their mother preparing the dish and uploaded it to Make It Like Mama. Now, every Wednesday, the family recreates the meal by following the video, allowing them to maintain their cherished routine.

Accessible to All

Make It Like Mama is now available for download, offering families the opportunity to preserve their culinary traditions. Through this innovative app, users can capture recipes from loved ones, ensuring that these cherished dishes endure through future generations.

The Mashaal brothers have successfully addressed a common challenge faced by many families today. Their app not only encourages culinary creativity but also strengthens family bonds through shared experiences. By embracing technology, they ensure that the flavors and stories behind beloved family recipes remain alive for years to come.