Tina Knowles' Gumbo Booth Reopens After Brief Shutdown by Health Department at Houston Rodeo
Tina Knowles' Gumbo Booth Reopens After Brief Shutdown by Health Department at Houston Rodeo
Angel SaundersThu, March 19, 2026 at 1:41 AM UTC
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Tina Knowles, Mama Tina’s GumboCredit: Tina Knowles/Instagram -
Tina Knowles' gumbo booth was temporarily shut down by Houston health officials
The businesswoman announced in late February that she would be selling the southern dish at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Tina previously told PEOPLE ahead of the holidays that she looked forward to making gumbo for Christmas
Tina Knowles' gumbo pop-up booth was temporarily shut down by health department officials during the Houston Rodeo, according to reports.
The 72-year-old businesswoman, who is mom to daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, was serving up Mama Tina’s Gumbo at a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo booth near the Ferris wheel from March 2 through March 22, according to a Feb. 24 Instagram post.
However, officials briefly stepped in and paused the food production.
“On Monday, March 16, 2026, the Houston Health Department issued a temporary closure of Mama Tina's Gumbo booth at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a result of a complaint investigation,” the agency said in a statement published by KTRK-TV on Wednesday, March 18.
Beyoncé and her mom Tina Knowles attend the Los Angeles premiere of Disney's "Mufasa: The Lion King"Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
“The vendor was cooperative with the department's recommendations and passed a subsequent inspection. It was authorized to reopen on Tuesday, March 17, 2026," the statement said.
Reps for the Houston Health Department and Tina did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Despite the brief interruption, Mama Tina’s Gumbo was filled with lines of smiling customers, as well as a few familiar faces.
“My gorgeous Girl, @letoyaluckett came by and got some Gumbo and she loved it❤️,” Tina captioned a March 7 Instagram video of the former Destiny’s Child member stopping by for a cup of the southern dish.
In the clip, Luckett lifted the lid to take in the gumbo’s aroma before giving the camera a “thumb’s up” sign.
“My wonderful Friend @bunb came by and got a bowl of Ma Tina’s Gumbo. Yummmm ! And of course I’m making my way over there tomorrow for a “Trill Burger” whenever I’m visiting Houston I’ll stop by and get one. It’s the best burger.❤️🌹,” Tina wrote as the caption to another post.
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Tina first announced she’d be taking her culinary talents to the Houston Rodeo in late February.
Tina Knowles, 27th Annual Angel Ball at Cipriani Wall Street on October 27, 2025 in New York CityCredit: John Nacion/FilmMagic
“Hey, you know it’s not my first rodeo, or my first pot of gumbo,” she said in a Feb. 21 clip shared to her social media.
The video began to the tune of Nancy Sinatra's “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’” as she entered a kitchen in cowgirl boots, making her way to a stove with a large pot that had her logo visible.
“I been doing this for years, and people been asking for this gumbo, so we are debuting Ms. Tina’s Gumbo at the 2026 Houston Rodeo,” she continued.
Her two versions were selling for $25 for seafood with beef sausage, chicken, shrimp and blue crab, and $23 for a chicken-and-sausage-only option, USA Today previously reported.
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PEOPLE spoke to Tina at an exclusive preview of H&M’s new Beverly Hills concept store in November 2025 as she celebrated her grandson Daniel Julez J. Smith Jr.’s campaign with the brand.
When asked if she would be in the kitchen for the holidays, she smiled and replied, “Of course, always.”
“I do at least one or two things. I'll probably do gumbo for Christmas,” Tina told PEOPLE. “Having a great dinner. Going to church. That's usually what we do. And just enjoying my family because it's all about family, the holidays.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
