For Eushanada Joof learning to cook was never a choice.
Back in the late 1980s, when she was an 11-year-old girl growing up in southern Florida, it was something she was told she had to learn. Joof was raised by her great-great-great aunt, Thelma McDonald, a woman with a somewhat outdated way of looking at the world.
McDonald, who Joof lovingly refers to as her mother, felt it was a woman’s duty to know her way around a kitchen. So she began to teach Joof, sharing the secrets to cooking delicious soul food.
“In the beginning, you know I didn’t like it because I wanted to go play with my friends instead of being stuck in the kitchen,” she said. “But as I got older I really grew to appreciate those times.”
McDonald’s lessons would become part of who Joof is. And now, she’s sharing what she learned with Berks County.
The 46-year-old Muhlenberg Township resident opened Southern Side Kitchen at the Shillington Farmers Market last September.
Eushanada Joof operates Southern Side Kitchen, based on family recipes, at the Shillington Farmers Market. Offerings include green beans and potatoes, yellow rice, yams and collard greens with smoked turkey. (BILL UHRICH – READING EAGLE)
Her menu features soul food staples like fried chicken, ribs and collard greens. At times she will also offer alligator and turtle for her more adventurous patrons.
“I’m just trying to bring some different kind of food to Berks,” she said.
Joof said she decided to start her own business about a year ago after spending years cooking for special events like cultural or food festivals. She initially thought she might purchase a food truck, but eventually changed direction at the suggestion of a friend.
“I’ve been cooking for well over 15 years, it was just that I was doing it from home and at different events that were going on,” she said. “But then I heard about this space at the Shillington Farmers Market and thought it would be a good fit.”
Joof said the best thing about having her own business is getting to share her passion and traditions with other people.
“Food has this ability to bring people together,” she said. “And that is especially true about soul food. My house growing up was the place where everyone would come to eat and gather together. There is something comforting about that.”
Joof said she’s happy that she can share that with her customers.
“It feels good when I hear how much people like what I make or tell me that it reminds them of something someone made in their past,” she said. “Those are the reasons I love what I do.”
The Shillington Farmers Market, 10 S. Summit Ave. in Cumru Township is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Dining and Cooking