The only thing missing was the queen of soul food herself, the owner, Sylvia Woods.

Sylvia Woods, now 69, still cooks every day in the restaurant, although with the family help, her hours are shorter.

In the back room the party ended, and Sylvia Woods emerged.

Sylvia Woods stepped down from the day-to-day operations of the restaurant when she was 80 years old.

When Sylvia Woods, the owner, dropped by with a basket of corn bread, Miss Brown sampled only half a square.

"I'll put up anybody's picture who asks me," said Sylvia Woods of Sylvia's, the Harlem soul-food landmark.

"Our doors are open to everybody," said Ms. Woods, a daughter of the owner, Sylvia Woods.

It was founded in 1962 by Sylvia Woods.

She brings the other waitresses, the busboys, even the owner, Sylvia Woods.

On March 18, Sylvia Woods, the founder and an owner of Sylvia's in Harlem, will talk about her food and provide tastings.