While August’s Black Restaurant Week was an exciting time for many looking to celebrate the diversity of Black food in Madison, it was doubly exciting for the cherished east side soul food spot, House of Flavas.
Run by Jodie Jefferson, along with her daughters and other family members, the House is always coming up with new and exciting offers in both food and events. August saw the 2nd anniversary of House of Flavas along with the celebrations around Black Restaurant Week, and Jefferson was sure that the path they started on from the beginning putting people first would continue to be their focus.
“With my work, I’ve been trying to keep thinking about the community and bringing something different to the community,” Jefferson told Madison365. “We have a lot of events where we give out a lot of free things, so they’ll be continuing. We also did a little bit of an ice cream shop that we had talked about before.”
Ice cream shops and brunches are just some special events and offerings that Jefferson and the House family look forward to continuing to build from. The joy that comes from bringing something new and creative outside of the usual delicious food comes secondhand only to the connections Jefferson values creating through her work and efforts. 
“The community is very accepting,” said Jefferson. “That’s what I love the most about it and what makes it easiest. The community was in search of something like House of Flavas, and that’s just the words of the customers. Just to be able to be real personable with them. It’s not about the money for me, so it’s all about trying to build the community through food, fellowship, and good vibes.“
Reflecting on what the future holds and the landscape of being a Black food business owner in Madison, Jefferson was glad that more attention is starting to be shared to Black food entrepreneurs. One standout challenge that businesses can face when on the further side of Madison is reaching customers on the other side of the city.
“A challenge that I think we face is there’s not a bunch of us, and then we’re spread on different sides of town, so it’s mostly about preference on what people choose to eat,” Jefferson considered. “For me, as the House of Flavas, I would love to be on every single side of town. If I could do that, that would be amazing. That’s my next future plan is to try to get out there on the west side and on the north side.”
Of course, one way Jefferson looks to connect with every side of Madison is through community events to draw everybody who wants some great food or fun to find it with the House. The upcoming House of Flavas Adult Prom Night will be Jefferson’s next event to do just that, and will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, 7-11 p.m. at Goodman Community Center with an after-party to be announced.
Jefferson looks forward to the event and is excited about the interest she reported the idea getting from customers and community members. The event will surely be a night of entertainment and good food along with the crucial aspect of offering a chance to continue community support of a valued establishment going strong past the two-year mark.
“We’re a family-oriented restaurant,” said Jefferson. “A place that you can call home, that’s what the House is. We do a lot of community events, and the one that’s coming up really soon is going to be our prom. It’s an adult prom. A lot of us haven’t had a chance to go to our own prom or may not have had the best prom, so we’re trying to make it as memorable as possible.”
You can learn more and purchase tickets for the House of Flavas Adult Prom Night here.
