In Berlin, Mama J Joint Turns Melting Point For Filmmakers

NIGERIAN  filmmakers and film journalists who attended the 10-day long 65th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival have confessed that they didn’t miss home at all since while in the freezing Berlin, Germany.

They said they found the popular Mama J Restaurant located in the heart of Berlin as the proper ‘home away from home’. So when it was time for lunch or dinner, all roads would lead to the former Nigerian house in Berlin where Mama J restaurant currently sits.

‘We not only eat good food there but we found the place a melting point for Nigerians in Berlin’’ said Eric Ugondu, a filmmaker about the restaurant that is run by the very likeable, personable, humble and caring Edo state native Joy Osaze. Popularly called Mama J, with the ‘J’ derived from the name of her first daughter, Joy, Mama J is easily the most popular Nigerian restaurateur in Berlin Germany. Pretty with brains to engage anyone in a debate on any subject, Mama J started out her restaurant business from a small location on Schienkenstrasse, Berlin, in 2002.

With demands and pressure from Africans who desired ‘home cooking’, Mama J moved to a more spacious outlet located on Donaldstrasse in 2005. Same year she opened another spot at Moritzplatz. But In 2013, the restaurants had to be merged with the one at Donaldstrasse joining that of Moritzplatz. So from just an outlet in 2002, Mama J’s Restaurant has grown to become the largest restaurant owned by an African and a Nigerian in Berlin. The Berlin International Film festival ends tomorrow and the filmmakers attending the festival say they will take their own closing party to Mama J’s place.