🌿 HER LEGACY

For nearly a decade, Shut Yo Mouf Soulfood has been a place where Petersburg comes to eat well, feel welcomed, and experience the warmth of real Southern hospitality. That spirit began with Ms. Katrine Nelson-Bey — the woman whose dream, leadership, and love for people created the foundation this restaurant still stands on today.

Before a single customer walked through the door, Ms. Katrine had a vision. She wanted a place where the community could gather, enjoy homemade soul food, and feel a sense of comfort the moment they stepped inside. She believed a good meal could bring people together, soften a long day, and remind folks of home. Everything about Shut Yo Mouf was born from that belief.

The restaurant’s name comes from her mother’s phrase, “Shut yo mouf!” — something said when the food was so good it stopped you in your tracks. It was a family expression filled with joy, humor, and pride, and when it came time to name the restaurant, it became the perfect way to honor the women and traditions that shaped her. Today, it’s a name the community says with a smile, because they know exactly what it means.

Ms. Katrine wasn’t the chef, but she was the heartbeat. She shaped the atmosphere, the values, and the expectations that define our identity. She led with warmth, consistency, and authenticity, making sure the restaurant felt like family for everyone who walked through the door. Her standard still guides the way we serve, the way we show up, and the way we treat our guests.

Her youngest son, Master Chef Mizraim Kidd-Bey, stood beside her from the beginning and helped turn that vision into reality. With years of experience in food service and a deep commitment to the craft, he carried the weight of the kitchen — bringing her dream to life through the flavors, the execution, and the reputation Shut Yo Mouf became known for. Their dynamic was the perfect balance: her vision leading the way, and his skill and dedication bringing that vision forward day after day. What people experience when they dine with us is the result of her foundation and his follow-through, working hand in hand.

But the legacy itself — the soul, the purpose, the essence of this restaurant — will always belong to her.

Since opening in 2016, Shut Yo Mouf Soulfood has grown into a recognized and celebrated part of Petersburg’s food culture. From our early days on Crater Road to our long-standing home in Old Towne, the restaurant has remained rooted in community, tradition, and the belief that good food is meant to be shared. Through expansions, full-house Sundays, local love, and statewide recognition, the heartbeat behind it all remained the same: Ms. Katrine’s vision for a place that felt like home.

Her commitment to service extended far beyond the kitchen. She used this restaurant as a way to give back — feeding those in need, offering support, and making sure people felt seen, cared for, and welcomed. Shut Yo Mouf became a reflection of who she was: giving, genuine, steady, and full of love.

Today, as we continue serving the Petersburg community, everything we do is grounded in the legacy she created. We cook with intention. We serve with pride. We honor her by staying true to the standard she set and by keeping this space rooted in the warmth and authenticity she believed in.

Her presence is still here — in the food, in the atmosphere, in the memories shared between our guests, and in the love poured into every detail. Shut Yo Mouf Soulfood stands because she believed in it. And as long as our doors are open, her legacy will continue to live through every plate we serve.

The Shut Yo Mouf Soulfood Family
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