Inspired by their grandmother's cherished couscous recipe, two teenage brothers, Zach and Matthew Mashaal from Roslyn, New York, developed "Make It Like Mama," a mobile application designed to capture and share treasured family recipes through video.

Initially, Zach recorded his grandmother preparing her renowned couscous and shared it within the family's group chat. The enthusiastic response from relatives, requesting more recipe videos, sparked an idea. Recognizing the need to preserve their family's culinary heritage for future generations, the brothers transformed this simple act into a full-fledged mobile application.

Officially launched in December, Make It Like Mama allows users to upload videos of their loved ones preparing traditional dishes, both publicly and within private groups. The app's functionality extends beyond simple video uploads. Users can break down recipes into manageable steps, facilitating easier comprehension, and engage with others through comments, fostering a sense of community around shared culinary traditions.

The brothers emphasized the app's user-friendly design, ensuring accessibility for all generations, from tech-savvy youngsters to older family members. They envision Make It Like Mama as a tool to connect families and honor those who created and passed down these cherished recipes.

Although proud of their Iraqi and Moroccan heritage, the brothers' favorite dish documented on the app is a classic comfort food: spaghetti and meatballs. With their mother's recent return to graduate school, Wednesday spaghetti nights became a challenge. Resourcefully, Zach filmed his mother preparing their beloved meal, uploading it to Make It Like Mama, enabling the brothers to continue the tradition. This personal anecdote highlights the practical application of the app in preserving and sharing family recipes, even amidst changing circumstances.