SALUTE TO MOTHER WADE & JOSEPHINE'S SOUTHERN COOKING
WHEREAS on March 8, 2022, Josephine Wade, affectionately known as Mother Wade, joins this city's growing ranks of octogenarians; and
WHEREAS, Mother Wade operates Josephine's Southern Cooking, a landmark of the Chatham neighborhood. It is now the oldest African American woman-owned soul food restaurant in Chicago, outliving the city's other iconic soul food restaurants such as Army & Lou's, Izola's, Edna's, Soul Queen, and Gladys' Luncheonette. She has fed countless celebrities such as 50 Cent, MC Hammer, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Vickie Winans, and all the best-known gospel singers; and
WHEREAS, Mother Wade's journey began in Forrest City, Arkansas, known as the "Jewel of the Delta" where she learned to cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner to help feed the family. She cooked because her mother was pregnant and had to work in the field every day. After attending culinary school in Phoenix, she moved to Chicago in 1960 where she worked at The Courthouse restaurant in Hyde Park's Harper Court and then as a dietitian for the University of Chicago; and
WHEREAS Mother Wade started catering when she was pregnant with her son, making food for bar mitzvahs, Passover, and other events. Since 1963, she has remained in business through three restaurants. Wade opened Captain Smith Seafood restaurant at 353 E. 79th St. with Rupert "Captain" Smith, who would become her second husband. In 1967 and in the'80s, she operated a catering truck to serve people working at the Cook County courthouse at 26th and California. In 1987, she opened Captain's Hard Time Dining, a seafood restaurant that closed after two decades in business; and
WHEREAS today Mother Wade runs Josephine's Southern Cooking at 436 E. 79th St. where many of the famous have enjoyed a meal. The reigning queen of Chicago soul food served the Queen of Soul whenever Aretha Franklin was in town. "I specialized in Aretha's gumbo," Wade said. "She liked gumbo and chitlins. And...
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