Martha Lou Gadsden Explained

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

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

Gadsden opened Martha Lou's Kitchen in 1983. The restaurant operated until September 1, 2020.^[4]

External links

• Interview with Martha Lou Gadsden - Southern Foodways Alliance

Notes and References

1. Web site: Charleston Soul Food Icon Martha Lou Gadsden Dies At Age 91. NPR.org.
2. Web site: Martha Lou Gadsden, luminary of downtown Charleston soul food scene, dies at 91. Hanna. Raskin. Post and Courier. April 2021 .
3. News: Martha Lou Gadsden, Soul-Food Matriarch, Dies at 91 . Kim . Severson . April 4, 2021 . . April 4, 2021.
4. Web site: Raskin. Hanna. September 16, 2020. Martha Lou's Kitchen, peninsular Charleston's preeminent soul food destination, has closed. 2021-07-27. Post and Courier. en.