Tina Khalil aka @mrsclueless on Motherhood, Food Nostalgia, and the Kitchen Tools She Can’t Live Without

As Women’s History Month unfolds and Mother’s Day approaches, I had the pleasure of catching up once again with Tina Khalil, the Lebanese food creator known to many as @MrsClueless. Through her content, Tina has built a thriving community centered around food, nostalgia and motherhood, bringing traditional Lebanese home-cooked meals to thousands while sharing her journey of being a mother.

This year, Mother’s Day feels even more special for Tina—she’s expecting again! We talked about how motherhood has evolved for her, the dishes that connect her to her past and of course, the kitchen tools she absolutely can’t live without.

Motherhood, Love & Celebrating This Special Year

This Mother’s Day feels extra special for you—what’s different about life, love and motherhood this year? And how do you usually like to be celebrated?

“This year is incredibly special because I’m celebrating not just as a mom but as an expecting mom again! There’s something so magical about knowing my family is growing, and I’m cherishing every moment. Motherhood feels even more precious now, and I find myself appreciating the little things even more. As for how I love to be celebrated, I’m all about quality time—breakfast in bed, a cozy day with my little ones, lots of flowers and just soaking in all the love.”

Food Nostalgia: Childhood Memories & Family Recipes

What’s a dish from your childhood that instantly reminds you of your mom or Teta Nounou? Have you ever tried recreating it?

“When it comes to nostalgia with food, it’s always my Teta Nounou’s recipes. After all, she’s the one who taught me how to cook and how to truly love being in the kitchen. One dish that instantly reminds me of her is her lamb and rice recipe. She always made it on special occasions, like her wedding anniversary or one of our birthdays, so it became a dish filled with love and celebration. I’ve recreated it, but somehow, hers always feels more special—maybe it’s the way she made it with so much warmth, or maybe it’s just the magic of childhood memories.”

Family Life & A Husband Who Can Cook

If your husband had to cook you a Mother’s Day meal from scratch—no help!—what would you want him to make, and what do you think would actually happen?

“Honestly, my husband makes the best sandwiches ever! On our first date, he made me a Bulgari toastie, and I can still remember the exact taste—it was that good. He’s actually very neat in the kitchen and makes absolutely no mess, which is impressive. So, if I had to pick, I’d love for him to make me a sandwich with a side of veggies—the way he cuts them is so neat, it’s almost therapeutic to watch.”

Lessons From Motherhood & Preparing for Baby #3

Now that you’re expecting again, what’s one lesson from motherhood that you wish you had known the last two times?

“That every stage is TEMPORARY—the sleepless nights, the toddler tantrums, the overwhelming moments. When I had my first, I worried about everything, but now I know that phases pass, and what stays are the beautiful memories. I remind myself to slow down, soak it all in and not stress over the little things.”

How are your little ones reacting to becoming older siblings? Any funny or heartwarming stories?

“They’re very, very excited, but I don’t think they completely grasp the concept of having a baby in the house just yet. They love talking about it, asking questions, and imagining what life will be like, but I can tell they don’t fully realize how much things will change. All in due time, I guess! It’s still so sweet to watch their excitement grow, and I know the real fun will begin once they finally meet their new sibling.”

Sharing Life Online: Where She Draws the Line

You share so much of your journey on social media—was there ever a moment where you thought, ‘Wow, I’m really letting people into my world’?

“I’ve never felt like I was oversharing on social media because I don’t feel any pressure to. Some days I share a lot, some days I don’t share at all—it really just depends on my mood. I love that I have the freedom to choose what I want to put out there, and if I don’t feel like sharing something, I simply don’t. I’ve also been through so much in the past three years, and no one would have known just by looking at my social media. I never shared those moments, not because I was hiding anything, but because I never felt the need to. And that’s the beauty of it—I control my own narrative.”

The Kitchen Tool She Swears By

For someone who loves to cook, what’s the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Maybe something you personally can’t live without in your kitchen?

“A high-quality knife set—no question. A sharp, well-balanced knife makes cooking faster, easier, and more enjoyable. Once you use a great knife, you can’t go back.”

With a growing family, meal prep must be a whole operation. What’s your best hack to make chopping and slicing easier?

“I actually enjoy chopping, slicing, peeling, and cutting—it’s like therapy for me. So I don’t feel the need to prep my veggies in advance. But the real key to making it easier? A good knife. Without one, the whole process becomes frustrating instead of enjoyable.”

You’ve been using SEKKIN for a while now, and more recently our new set—what was the moment you realized they were a game-changer in your kitchen?

“I realized they were game-changers when I moved houses and left my SEKKIN knives in my other place. Suddenly, chopping felt tedious and frustrating. The moment I got them back and started using them again, I could immediately feel the difference—smooth, effortless, and precise. I’ll never go without them again!”

Celebrating Women, Motherhood & the Joy of Cooking

This Women’s History Month and Mother’s Day, we celebrate women like Tina—who preserve traditions, embrace change and create new stories through food. Whether she’s recreating her Teta Nounou’s lamb and rice, letting her husband take over the sandwich game or making meal prep an effortless joy with SEKKIN, cooking is more than just a routine—it’s a connection to past, present, and future.

If you’re looking for a gift that makes cooking easier and more enjoyable, a high-quality knife set is the perfect choice. Celebrate Women’s History Month with free international shipping on orders over $200! Use code MRSCLUELESS before March 31!