Mama Africa opening in downtown Des Moines

Driving the news: Owner Ventica Woods plans to open the restaurant Saturday in the food hall on the lower level of the Greater Des Moines Partnership building at 700 Locust St.

Catch up quick: Woods, 34, is originally from Liberia and came to Des Moines at age 14 after fleeing civil war.

• She says cooking became her safe space after childhood trauma, and she brought that love of food with her to Iowa.

What they're saying: "When I took my first step at the Des Moines International Airport, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders," Woods tells Axios. "I call that my birth of freedom."

Zoom in: Woods began selling meals from her home in 2020 after her husband asked on Facebook whether people would support her cooking business.

• The first meals sold out, and the business grew to include weekday orders, catering, weddings, festivals, pop-ups and farmers market appearances.

On the menu: Mama Africa will serve traditional dishes, including jollof rice, fried plantains and goat meat.

• The restaurant will also introduce a build-your-own-bowl concept, allowing customers to mix dishes their own way.

The intrigue: Woods is finishing a memoir, "I Almost Got Lost," which she expects to release in September on Amazon, in local bookstores and at the restaurant.

What's next: Woods plans to continue catering and making weekend appearances at the farmers market after the restaurant opens.

If you go: Mama Africa's grand opening is Saturday from 10am-4pm.

• Regular hours will be 10am-2pm Monday through Friday.