Martha Lou Gadsden (March 20, 1930 – April 1, 2021) was an American chef and restaurateur known for her soul food restaurant Martha Lou's Kitchen in Charleston, South Carolina.[1][2]
Early life[edit]
Gadsden was born in Charleston to Joseph and Lillie Mae Simmons. When she was five years old, her father died. Her mother sent Martha Lou and her two siblings to live with their grandparents in Manning, South Carolina, while she remained in Charleston to work. Martha Lou was introduced to cooking by her grandmother.[3]
Career[edit]
Gadsden opened Martha Lou's Kitchen in 1983. The restaurant operated until September 1, 2020.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ "Charleston Soul Food Icon Martha Lou Gadsden Dies At Age 91". NPR.org.
- ^ Raskin, Hanna. "Martha Lou Gadsden, luminary of downtown Charleston soul food scene, dies at 91". Post and Courier.
- ^ Severson, Kim (April 4, 2021). "Martha Lou Gadsden, Soul-Food Matriarch, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ Raskin, Hanna (September 16, 2020). "Martha Lou's Kitchen, peninsular Charleston's preeminent soul food destination, has closed". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
External links[edit]