Beyoncé's Mother Mama Tina's Gumbo Receives Mixed Reviews at Houston Rodeo

Tina Knowles brings her family's cherished gumbo recipe to the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, but not everyone is impressed.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:50am

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Tina Knowles, the mother of superstar Beyoncé, has brought her famous 'Mama Tina's Gumbo' to the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. While some fans have been thrilled to try the 20-hour stew that is a family favorite, others have left scathing online reviews, with one TikToker calling it a 'disgrace' and saying it 'tastes like water'.

Why it matters

As the mother of one of the biggest icons in entertainment, Tina Knowles' gumbo was bound to draw intense scrutiny and high expectations from fans. The mixed reviews highlight the challenges of bringing a cherished family recipe to the public, as personal tastes can vary greatly.

The details

Rodeo-goers can choose between a $25 seafood bowl or a $23 chicken-and-sausage version of Mama Tina's gumbo. While some have praised the dish, others have left harsh online critiques, with one TikToker saying it contains 'nothing' and 'tastes like water,' and an Instagram user calling it 'beef soup' rather than true gumbo.

  • The 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is running through March 22.

The players

Tina Knowles

The mother of singer Beyoncé, known as 'Mama Tina,' who has brought her family's gumbo recipe to the Houston Rodeo.

Beyoncé

Tina Knowles' daughter, a superstar singer who has long been a fan of her mother's gumbo.

The Foodie Queen

A TikTok user who left a scathing review of Mama Tina's gumbo, calling it a 'disgrace' and saying it 'tastes like water.'

Honest Red

An Instagram user who posted a video review of Mama Tina's gumbo, rating it 1/10 and saying it's 'beef soup' rather than true gumbo.

B Wood Cooks

A content creator who called Mama Tina's gumbo 'mid,' rating it 7 out of 10.

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What they’re saying

“Beyoncé absolutely loves this gumbo. She would have it all the time, she's always asking. So now I can have it readily because it's such a production to me. It takes 20 hours.”

— Tina Knowles

“Oh my God, this tastes like water. If they added some, you know, the seasoning for noodles, that's what it tastes like. The noodle juice when you leave the water in your juice on your noodles.”

— The Foodie Queen, TikTok user (TikTok)

“1/10 on a Gumbo scale.... But for people who never tried gumbo, they would like it. This is beef soup, add some potatoes and call it a stew but not gumbo. Oh and it was $25 but was worth a good $10.”

— Honest Red, Instagram user (Instagram)

“Yo, yo, beehive. Please don't come after me. I'm a beehiver. Uh, and though that's what's missing from this.”

— B Wood Cooks, Content creator (YouTube)

What’s next

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs through March 22, so Tina Knowles will have more opportunities to serve her gumbo and potentially address the negative feedback.

The takeaway

Bringing a cherished family recipe to the public can be a risky endeavor, as personal tastes and expectations can vary greatly. While Tina Knowles' gumbo may not have impressed all rodeo-goers, the mixed reviews highlight the challenges of satisfying diverse palates when it comes to traditional Southern cuisine.