Samantha Avera’s cooking journey began with her family. Her late Mammaw Bonnie, parents Ken and Kim Spears, and mother-in-law Amber Moore all played key roles in shaping her skills. “My daddy is a chef,” she says, referencing her father, who owns Our Hometown restaurant in Philadelphia.
While she learned a lot from him, it was her mother-in-law who taught her many baking secrets after Samantha married her husband, Hunter. “I got all of her tips on making cakes,” she recalls.
Samantha balances her job at A&D Tire with managing rental properties, all while raising three daughters: Ryla, Lilly, and Ava. Her family’s favorite dishes include fried deer meat, spaghetti, and a special “Rosa pasta.” She takes pride in baking, trying to whip up something sweet every week. Recently, she made a triple-chocolate birthday cake for one of her daughters, topped with marshmallow-fluff icing.
During the holidays, Samantha honors her Mammaw’s legacy by preparing her famous dressing and mashed potatoes. “That’s what I do since she’s been passed away,” she shares.
Cooking also brings her closer to her community. At Pine Grove Pentecostal Church, she helps prepare meals for 250 to 300 people. “We center our lives around God,” she says, highlighting the importance of community and faith in her family life.
Teaching her daughters to cook is one of her greatest joys. “They love helping in the kitchen,” she says. Her 8-year-old daughter can even make brownies on her own, which makes Samantha proud.
Overall, Samantha’s cooking journey highlights the importance of family recipes and traditions. The skills she learned continue to shape not just her meals, but also her family’s connections and memories.
### Mammaw’s Dressing Recipe
– Chicken thighs or a whole chicken
– Leftover chicken broth
– 1 yellow onion
– 1 sweet onion
– 3-4 pans of yellow cornbread
– 1 stick real butter
– 1 stick margarine
– Garlic salt
– Old Bay seasoning
– A handful of sugar
– 7 eggs
This recipe has been passed down through generations, representing a link to her heritage and family gatherings. In a world where meals can be fast and simple, Samantha’s experiences remind us of the value in cooking together and keeping traditions alive.
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