Booksellers report of the Momma Cherri Event at the Longmynd Hotel, November 1st 2007

Six months ago Ros and Emski met Charita (Momma Cherri!) at a book conference and she set the room alight as she danced around with 100 odd people in the palm of her hand. That weekend Emski cooked her delicious Key Lime Pie (page 144, Soul in a Bowl Cookbook) for her father-in-law, sent her the photographic evidence and asked her if she’d be interested in coming to the hills for an event.

In the interest of research (and a good night out) Emski then went to Momma Cherri’s Big House in Brighton: there she shared soul in a bowl and much laughter – along with a few margaritas!! They decided on a date that Charita would come and set about organizing the book event and cookery demo.

Emski travelled down to collect Charita and her Aunt Carolyn from Brighton – 5 hours later they arrived in Shropshire ready to face the hill folk. The posse at Burway Books had sold almost 100 tickets to the event so a good crowd was there to welcome her. Needless to say she didn’t disappoint! In fact she bowled everyone over with an amusing and often moving rendition of her life story, from the ghettos of Philadelphia to the seafront at Brighton, via France, Mexico, London to name but a few places. Having studied at university and worked her way out of the ghetto, she arrived in London in 1978 as part of a theatre group and loved it here so much that she stayed.

Cooking for large numbers is something that comes naturally to Momma Cherri, having grown up as part of a large family, then fostering over 40 children since living in England. This lady is very much about giving something back to society, not just taking from it, and she still has this philosophy today. Anyone lucky enough to visit her restaurant will see that £1 is added to every bill which she donates to the homeless in Brighton.

The turning point for her business came with the arrival of Gordon Ramsay in 2004 when she featured in his “Kitchen Nightmares” programme, famously stopping him from using his trademark string of expletives! She became an overnight celebrity and people flocked to eat at her restaurant. We were lucky enough to sample some of her wonderful cooking as she proceeded to make a jambalaya on a small camping stove for almost 100 people whilst telling us more about soul food and its origins. As the audience tucked into the delicious spicy dish, cornbread and chocolate brownies, Momma Cherri signed copies of her Soul in a Bowl Cookbook, chatted to guests and posed for photographs, whilst Aunt Carolyn sold little bags of spices, cornbread mix and DVDs to those keen to try out some of the recipes themselves. I think it is fair to say that a great night was had by all. One enterprising member of the audience held a jambalaya party that weekend, and there were various whispers of coach trips to Brighton ……

Hilary drove the ladies back to Brighton the following day, and, once again in the interest of research (and a good night out!) enjoyed a meal and a few of Momma’s cocktails at her restaurant. Anyone wanting to know more about the restaurant please call in and see Emski or Hilary who will both be happy to sing its praises. Momma Cherri’s Soul in a Bowl Cookbook is available from Burway Books at £20.00: having tested several recipes Ros, Emski and Hils can honestly say they are easy to follow, quick to cook, and delicious (and, of course, non-fattening!!)