ROCKINGHAM — With combined culinary experience of 20-plus years, Marquan and Eddrena Hood-Davis are looking to bring a southern-style restaurant to Rockingham.

The name of their business is Buie’s Cotton Gin Restaurant and Catering — named after Eddrena’s stepfather. They offer catering, decorating services and pop-up restaurants every Sunday with plans of opening their own eatery in the near future.

“I’m very grateful to the community,” said Eddrena. “When my husband and I spoke about where we wanted to open a business, we wanted to come back here to my hometown.”

Eddrena, a Richmond County native, attended culinary school at the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham while working at Wake Medicine.

“The time would just fly by and it made me happy,” said Eddrena. “I wouldn’t notice how fast the time was going by.”

Marquan said cooking was something “he came out doing.” Since he was young, he would cook with his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. He chose between being a therapist or a chef and went with the latter option.

“It’s my passion,” he said. “It allows you to be creative and introduce new cuisine.”

From 12 – 4 p.m. at the Wayman Chapel Center of Blessings off 1923 Osborne Road in Hamlet, Eddrena and Marquan Hood-Davis offer a pop-up restaurant that gives future customers a taste of their main menu. It also allows for customers to give feedback.

“You have to be able to adjust and we’re open,” said Eddrena. “We want to be able to cater a menu that they love.”

Their menu features a ton of southern staples including fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and corn, and there are also vegetarian options. They also want to introduce fusion type items including creole and french options, but Marquan said those will come in “baby steps” and that they want to build a customer base before introducing the new items.

The pop-up restaurant has been operating since Nov. 4 and will continue to run until they’re ready to open their location. While there isn’t a set date, they’re hoping to open sometime in the later part of 2019.

“It won’t be your typical buffet layout,” said Marquan. “We’re going after a beautiful, southern, high-class atmosphere but still relaxed.

“When you come to my restaurant, it’s like you’re coming to my house,” he added. “You’re our guest and we’re here to serve.”

On Dec. 16 and Dec. 23, they will be serving their holiday menu with turkey and all the fixings. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance next Sunday, Dec. 16.

“We’re all about having fun and we feel that your restaurant experience should be the same,” said Eddrena.

“It’s food that comes from the soul … deep from within,” added Marquan.

For more information, visit their website www.buiecottongin.com or call Eddrena Hood-Davis at 910-220-7130.

By Jasmine Hager

Staff Writer

Reach Jasmine Hager at 910-817-2675 or [email protected].