Mama Dip’s Kitchen, located at 408 W Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill, commemorated what would have been its founder Mildred Council’s 95th birthday on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The restaurant celebrated by reverting some prices to their 1976 levels, attracting large crowds, and generating plenty of smiles.
Mildred “Mama Dip” Council, who passed away in May 2018 at the age of 89, was renowned for her exceptional culinary skills, which she honed from a young age on a Chatham County farm. There, she cooked for her large family using whatever was available. This resourcefulness was a hallmark of her cooking style when she launched her restaurant, originally named Dip’s Country Kitchen, in 1976. Despite gaining fame and attracting celebrities like New York Times critic Craig Claiborne and basketball icon Michael Jordan with her flawless Southern cuisine, she maintained her simple, effective approach to food.
Today, Council’s family continues to uphold her culinary legacy, a testament to her enduring influence, highlighted during the birthday celebration with nostalgic pricing. Hundreds attended the event, reminiscing and celebrating her life.
Her friend Mae McClendon shared her sentiments, saying, “Ms. Mildred, as I called her, was like a mother to us in the neighborhood, always offering love and encouragement. Visiting the restaurant today, I could sense her presence in her favorite booth, overseeing everything with care.”
