Singer Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles’ pop-up restaurant was temporarily shut down at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo after a customer reported falling seriously ill.
The eatery, Mama Tina’s Gumbo, was closed on March 16 following a complaint that a customer became violently sick after eating the gumbo.
According to a report obtained by KPRC 2 News, the customer claimed they experienced severe symptoms, stating they had chills, nausea, fever and even “vomited blood” after consuming the dish. An investigation by the Houston Health Department uncovered multiple food safety violations linked to how the gumbo was prepared and handled.
Inspectors found the food had been cooked off-site, then cooled and stored in non-food-grade containers, before being transported to an unlicensed location for freezing. The report further stated the gumbo was later moved to a refrigerated trailer and thawed prior to being served, raising concerns about proper food handling procedures.
Health officials also noted several compliance failures, including a lack of temperature logs and improper storage practices. The report said inspectors “observed bags of frozen shrimp and crab with a label that stated ‘keep frozen.’”
Additionally, authorities found that some food sources used after the first day were not listed on the approved permit, and meals prepared more than 24 hours in advance were not properly dated.
Despite the violations, officials described the issue as quickly resolved. The operators cooperated with inspectors and were educated on proper food safety measures, including rapid cooling, thawing procedures and date marking.
They also agreed to stop preparing food off-site and switched to appropriate freezing equipment. The closure was short-lived, with Mama Tina’s Gumbo cleared to reopen the following day and continue serving at the event through March 22. Beyonce has not publicly commented on the incident.
