Catherine Schmuck cooks for 25 people at every meal. As chief cook on a cargo ship, her job is to keep the crew members happy and well fed as they travel the waterways of eastern Canada and the United States.

“It can be tough for the crew to be away from their families,” Schmuck explains. “I make a lot of comfort foods that can hopefully be a highlight of their day.” Her recipes for homemade, hearty meals were so popular that she published a cookbook, Ship to Shore Chef (shiptoshorechef.com; not available at Costco).

A longtime Costco member, Schmuck says she gets excited when she sees Kirkland Signature™ products in her galley kitchen. “It’s like having a little bit of home with me,” she says. Personal favorites include Kirkland Signature maple syrup, chia seeds, almond flour and chocolate chips.—Kristi York