A pop-up restaurant owned by Tina Knowles was temporarily shut down at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo following a food safety complaint.
The eatery, Mama Tina’s Gumbo, was closed on March 16 after a customer reported falling seriously ill after consuming the dish.
According to a report obtained by KPRC 2 News, the customer experienced severe symptoms including chills, nausea, fever, and “vomited blood” after eating the gumbo.
An investigation by the Houston Health Department uncovered multiple violations related to how the food was prepared and handled. Inspectors found that the gumbo had been cooked off-site, stored in non-food-grade containers, and transported to an unlicensed location for freezing before being reheated for service.
Additional issues included the absence of proper temperature logs, improper storage practices, and the use of food sources not listed on the approved permit. Inspectors also noted that some meals prepared more than 24 hours earlier were not correctly labeled.
Despite the findings, officials said the situation was quickly addressed, with operators cooperating fully and implementing corrective measures, including proper cooling, thawing, and storage procedures.
The restaurant was cleared to reopen the following day and continued operations at the event through March 22.
Beyoncé or Tina Knowles have not publicly commented on the incident.
