Momma Cherri's Soul Food Shack returns to Brighton

In fact, it is still the only time the foul-mouthed chef has returned an empty plate to the kitchen.

Despite Cherri’s best efforts, she was forced to close the restaurant in Little East Street in 2009, but her passion for beautiful soul food never left her.

And now, 14 years later, Brighton’s happiest chef is back with a bang.

“The Shack is back, baby. The Shack is back,” Cherri, real name Charita Jones, told The Argus as we visited her new pop-up eatery in Gardner Street, Brighton.

“I’m over the moon. I love it, I do miss it – the customers, engaging with people, sharing my food and culture.

Momma Cherri returns (Image: The Argus)

“The menu is going to be all of our top hits. We’ll be doing the jambalaya, the buttermilk fried chicken, some jerk chicken, catfish. I’m going to be doing vegan options.

“It’s going to be fabulous. It’s a brand new generation, I want to bring them in.”

READ MORE: Momma Cherri burgled and abused after Brighton restaurant closes

Anyone hoping to savour The Shack's super soul food will have to be quick, as the restaurant is only open for one month, with a soft launch this Thursday before the doors swing open on Saturday.

Cherri’s decision to revive The Shack is only in part due to her love of food.

Her husband, Phil Jones, was diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas last year, and Cherri plans to raise money for Macmillan to give back to those who have been supporting her family.

The former foster carer, who looked after 75 children, is also fundraising for The Starr Trust.

Momma Cherri is opening the new site on Gardner Street, Brighton (Image: The Argus)

“People talk about the Macmillan nurses and what they do, but they don't realise just how much they do in terms of support for people with cancer,” said Cherri.

There will be scannable QR codes in the restaurant’s window, while diners inside will have the option to add a donation onto their bills.

Cherri’s pop-up was nearing completion when The Argus visited on Monday afternoon, with paintings on the wall from the original site in Little East Street.

Daughter Kat was also rushing around to support her mum’s project, which should undoubtably be a huge success.

But as one of the city’s most-loved faces prepares to return, we just had to ask the big question: will Gordon be getting an invite?

“I’ll send him a message. At this point though, it isn’t about Gordon, it’s about my charities. I hope he comes, but I’m not looking for an endorsement. We got on fabulously.”