Mama Chow's Kitchen closed while owner recovers from serious hiking injury
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The popular Southeast Portland food cart Mama Chow's Kitchen is temporarily closed after its owner and chef took a serious fall on Tuesday.
Jeff Chow slipped and fell 10 feet while hiking with friends at Wahclella Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. He's now in the intensive care unit at Oregon Health and Science University after suffering a fractured skull.
Though the arm he uses to sauté food was uninjured, the shoulder blade on that same side of his body was broken. Chow told KOIN 6 News it could take 6-8 weeks to heal.
"The amount of support I've been getting is amazing, just seeing the love. I cook because I love it, it means a lot to me," said Chow, fighting back tears.
The chef said he's worried he might not be able to cook with the broken shoulder blade so it could be a while before Mama Chow's reopens.
The food cart's take-out and catering services are on hold, with Chow's loved ones rallying to support him.
Margaret de Jesus Chang, an employee and friend, started a GoFundMe to help with Chow's recovery.