Danielle Lumpkin was thrilled with her booth on Jackson Street at Saturday’s Italian Festival in downtown Batavia.
Known as Mama Dee’z Kitchen, her family catering business has repeatedly sold the featured Rasta pasta, she said. Made with savory spiced jerk chicken and a creamy, white Alfredo sauce, it seemed like a hit at the downtown Italian-themed event.
Lumpkin has been a caterer for three years and hopes to move into a space at Eli Fish Brewing Company on Main Street. The smaller “incubator-style” space would help the Batavia chief move her business forward until she finds a bigger place, she said.
She’s known for her sauces, she says, especially her chicken wings with house sauce. Lumpkin also plans to attend a southern block party next month. His specialties are soul food and Caribbean flavors. It has “the best macaroni and cheese in town” and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items, barbecued chicken and ribs glazed in sauce, pulled pork and taco dip. , jerk chicken, fish fries, glazed salmon, potato salad. and Seafood Alfredo Sauce with Pasta.
“I’ve been cooking for over 10 years,” she says. “And I had CLL for three years. This is something Batavia needs; there is no home cooked southern comfort food you can find like at Mama Dee’z.”
She thought this first event was a good first experience, with a good turnout, she said.
“I can’t wait for it to be bigger next year,” she said.
She encouraged people to check out her Facebook site for dining options. Mama Dee’z was one of many food and craft vendors selling their wares. Many people walked around checking out items such as cigars, jewelry, artwork, assorted pastas and pizzas, and sweet desserts.
The beer and wine tent had opened at 5 p.m. and was drawing growing crowds to Jackson Square as children continued to play various games on School and Center streets and in the square.
Photos: Danielle Lumpkin, owner of Mama Dee’z Kitchen, serves Rasta pasta during Saturday’s Italian Festival in Batavia. Photos by Joanne Beck.
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