CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Famed Chapel Hill culinary legend Mildred “Mama Dip” Council has died.

• Mildred Council was 89 years old.
• "Mama Dip's" opened in 1976.
• Council published two cookbooks.

Family members said Council died Sunday evening at the age of 89. Her family says while their mother had health issues, her death was unexpected.

Council opened “Mama Dip’s Restaurant” in 1976. It currently operates at 408 West Rosemary Street in Chapel Hill.

It features food made with the “dump cooking” method, which Council learned from her family while growing up in Chatham County.

Dump cooking goes by taste and doesn’t follow recipes or measurements.

Council has written two cookbooks: "Mama Dip's Kitchen" and "Mama Dip's Family Cookbook."

Council’s funeral will take place Sunday, May 27 at 3 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Bible Church on Erwin Road in Chapel Hill.

It is open to the public.