OUR STORY

We have a profound passion for cooking and a deep love for sharing our culinary creations with the world. Our family-owned restaurant and catering service, now in its second generation, specializes in the rich flavors of soul food and classic comfort dishes. Within our offerings, you will discover a diverse and delectable range of home-cooked appetizers, entrees, ice cream, and desserts, all crafted from recipes that have been cherished within our family for over a century.

Our journey into catering began over five decades ago as a humble, part-time, home-based venture, originating in the kitchen of our founder, Patricia “Big Mama” Barron. Inspired by her beloved grandmother, Lillie, Big Mama harbored a dream of owning her own restaurant. In 2007, that dream blossomed into reality when she welcomed guests to the inaugural Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering in Omaha, Nebraska, housed within the historic Nebraska School for the Deaf, now known as Abide.

In 2013, we expanded our culinary horizons, partnering with the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts to launch Big Mama’s Sandwich Shop, an establishment dedicated to crafting soul-infused sandwiches and other delectable offerings. This sandwich haven, nestled in the historic Carver Bank building at 24th and Lake, featured an array of handcrafted deli-style delights, soups, gourmet hot dogs, cookies, and specialty ice creams.

The year 2016 marked a significant chapter as we merged the sandwich shop with our restaurant, anticipating a move to a new location as part of the 75 North revitalization project in the Highlander neighborhood. Tragically, Big Mama passed away on Good Friday, March 30th, 2018, before witnessing the completion of her new restaurant.

Determined to honor her legacy, Big Mama’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren worked tirelessly to fulfill her vision. In January 2020, we relocated the restaurant to its current home, the elegant Dining Room in the Highlander Accelerator.

Big Mama’s restaurant has garnered national and international acclaim, gracing the screens of Food Network, Travel Channel, Sundance Channel, and appearing in numerous local and national publications. Big Mama and her family even took center stage in their own reality show, “Big Mama’s Kitchen,” chronicling the story of their cherished family-owned business.

Our family is steadfast in upholding Big Mama’s tradition of delivering fresh, incredibly flavorful cuisine, providing exceptional customer service, and continuing our commitment to giving back to the community for generations to come.

OUR STORY

We have a profound passion for cooking and a deep love for sharing our culinary creations with the world. Our family-owned restaurant and catering service, now in its second generation, specializes in the rich flavors of soul food and classic comfort dishes. Within our offerings, you will discover a diverse and delectable range of home-cooked appetizers, entrees, ice cream, and desserts, all crafted from recipes that have been cherished within our family for over a century.

Our journey into catering began over five decades ago as a humble, part-time, home-based venture, originating in the kitchen of our founder, Patricia “Big Mama” Barron. Inspired by her beloved grandmother, Lillie, Big Mama harbored a dream of owning her own restaurant. In 2007, that dream blossomed into reality when she welcomed guests to the inaugural Big Mama’s Kitchen & Catering in Omaha, Nebraska, housed within the historic Nebraska School for the Deaf, now known as Abide.

In 2013, we expanded our culinary horizons, partnering with the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts to launch Big Mama’s Sandwich Shop, an establishment dedicated to crafting soul-infused sandwiches and other delectable offerings. This sandwich haven, nestled in the historic Carver Bank building at 24th and Lake, featured an array of handcrafted deli-style delights, soups, gourmet hot dogs, cookies, and specialty ice creams.

The year 2016 marked a significant chapter as we merged the sandwich shop with our restaurant, anticipating a move to a new location as part of the 75 North revitalization project in the Highlander neighborhood. Tragically, Big Mama passed away on Good Friday, March 30th, 2018, before witnessing the completion of her new restaurant.

Determined to honor her legacy, Big Mama’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren worked tirelessly to fulfill her vision. In January 2020, we relocated the restaurant to its current home, the elegant Dining Room in the Highlander Accelerator.

Big Mama’s restaurant has garnered national and international acclaim, gracing the screens of Food Network, Travel Channel, Sundance Channel, and appearing in numerous local and national publications. Big Mama and her family even took center stage in their own reality show, “Big Mama’s Kitchen,” chronicling the story of their cherished family-owned business.

Our family is steadfast in upholding Big Mama’s tradition of delivering fresh, incredibly flavorful cuisine, providing exceptional customer service, and continuing our commitment to giving back to the community for generations to come.

About Big Mama

About Big Mama

Patricia “Big Mama” Barron was born and raised in Omaha NE. Big Mama had a love for cooking which began as a young child helping her grandmother “Lillie” cook on a wood burning stove.  She attended Kellom grade school, Tech Jr. High, and graduated from Central High School in 1960. “Big Mama” served her country in the US Navy for four years after graduating high school. She then attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she pursued a degree in Sociology, however with her strong passion for food and feeding people, she decided to change her major to Culinary Arts and transferred to Metropolitan Community College where she earned an associate degree in 1973.

Although food was her passion, in the late 1960’s, Big Mama found herself needing to help her husband support their growing family and began a career in the telecommunications industry with Northwestern Bell. Her first job, as a key punch operator, allowed her to work at night, go to school during the day and be home for her husband and daughters in the evening. In 1974, that passion for cooking was a hobby that turned into a “therapeutic” in-home catering business that operated for more than 50 years while simultaneously raising a family and climbing the corporate ladder. During her over 30 year career she overcame numerous obstacles that come along with being black and being a woman in corporate America during the 1970’s and 1980’s. These challenges only made her determination stronger and when she retired in 1989, she was the district manager of Data Center with over 300 employees across five states with a multi-million-dollar budget.

Believing that “Peace begins when the hungry are fed” Big Mama was also a member of North Side Mennonite Church where she was a member for more than 40 years. She has volunteered her time with the church locally serving as bible study teacher, treasurer, and women’s group leader. She also served on boards for the national and international church which allowed her to work in cities all over the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Africa.

After retiring, Big Mama pursued other life goals, with careers in sales, public service and for a time, babysitting her grandchildren while her daughters pursued their careers. Always yearning to cook and feed people an enjoyable meal, she began the legwork of opening her own restaurant at the tender age of 62. Three years later, in 2007, Big Mama’s dream of owning her own restaurant came to fruition, showing that one should never give up on one’s dreams.

It was Big Mama’s belief that local businesses and the community should partner together in the development and growth of a city to create opportunities for everyone to learn, live, and thrive. For this reason, and the desire to see the revitalization of North Omaha, Big Mama was adamant that her restaurant always be located in North Omaha.

To learn more about the Patricia “Big Mama” Barron Culinary Scholarship, visit here: