Martha Kostyra

Martha Stewart’s "greatest teacher" was her mother, Martha Kostyra, affectionately known as Big Martha. At their family home in Nutley, N.J., Mrs. Kostyra instilled a love of cooking, along with housekeeping skills and a drive for hard work and self-sufficiency. Over the years, Mrs. Kostyra was a frequent guest on Martha’s TV shows, cooking alongside her daughter with authority, and often sharing cherished family recipes. Her most-loved recipe is for a simple side dish, Big Martha’s Mashed Potatoes, a legendary recipe rich with cream cheese.