A new southern cooking restaurant is coming to the edge of Kent’s West Hill with the opening of Jumpin’ Jumbalaya at Highline College in Des Moines.

Youpa Valentine, born and raised in Los Angeles with southern roots hailing from Arkansas and Louisiana, her take on Cajun-Creole fusion brings a delightful twist of new and classic flavor to your southern favorites, according to the restaurant website.

The restaurant will open Monday, Jan. 6 at Highline’s Union Cafe, according to a Dec. 31 Highline College media release. In addition to the campus location, the restaurant will offer deliveries through DoorDash or UberEats.

While Jumpin’ Jambalaya is new to Highline, it has been in business for four years and was most recently located in Seattle. Its new location at Highline’s Union Cafe creates a welcome reopening of the college’s main food service facility, which had been vacant since 2020, due to the COVID-19 shutdown, according to the press release. 

Valentine learned of the vacancy through her connection with Phon Sivongxay, Highline’s StartZone program manager. 

“We were pleased to work with Valentine and her team to expand her business into the Union Cafe at Highline College,” Sivongxay said. “This expansion not only creates jobs in our community but also fulfills her passion for creating and presenting delicious foods.”

StartZone, part of Highline College’s Business Development Center, offers support for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners from marginalized communities in South King County.

Drawing upon the program, Valentine received help with business development initiatives including writing a business plan, creating marketing materials, loan application assistance and community partnership support, according to the press release.

“Sivongxay knows exactly what small business owners need and asks all the right questions.” Valentine said. “Her expertise has been invaluable. StartZone offers a wealth of tools and resources for small businesses, which has been incredibly helpful.”

One of Valentine’s business decisions is to offer a range of catering services, including wedding catering, social event catering, concession catering and corporate catering.

Moving to the Highline site was another strategic undertaking.

“Highline offers a great location that helps us better serve the diverse needs of the surrounding community while still being accessible to people from Seattle and beyond,” Valentine said.

Jumpin’ Jambalaya info

Where: Highline College Union Cafe

2400 S. 240th St., Building 8, Floor 1, Des Moines

Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Monday through Thursday

Website: jumpinjambalaya.com

One of the many dishes at Jumpin’ Jumbalaya. COURTESY PHOTO, Jumpin’ Jumbalaya