WASHINGTON (WDCW) – The wife of former Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry had some pointed words for a local pizza chain after the restaurant launched a new dessert named after her late husband. &pizza, the D.C.-based pizza chain, had rolled out a new item called Marion Berry Knots, which "may not be the perfect dessert, but they're the perfect dessert for D.C.," according to the chain. Cora Masters Barry, the former mayor's wife, had different words for it on Monday: "racist and disrespectful." Cora Masters Berry talks about Marion Berry and thanks the audience during the ceremony for the renaming of Good Hope Road to Marion Barry Ave in Washington D.C. on Nov. 18, 2023. (Robb Hill for The Washington Post via Getty Images) Barry, who died on Nov. 23, 2014, was elected mayor of the District of Columbia in 1978. He served three consecutive terms and was elected again in 1994. He served in other roles, including as Ward 8 councilmember. Barry's reelection in 1994 came after he served time for possession of crack cocaine. He gained national notoriety at the time for that and other reasons. Chips Ahoy! unveils major change to original cookie recipe When it comes to "Marion Berry Knots," &pizza describes the limited-time item as "doughy dessert knots" that "are stuffed with deliciously sweet marionberries and topped with a creamy vanilla icing drizzle." Information shared by BML Public Relations, which handles publicity for the chain, goes on to explain: "For a good time, it’s the powder that’s the ultimate headline grabber. The Marion Berry Knots have enough powdered sugar that will have customers bumping elbows to order and even force the DEA to look twice." The news release includes other drug references and innuendo. In one promotional photo, which can also be found on the company's website, the knots are pictured with a small pile of white powder alongside them. "These knots will blow you away," reads a message on the photo — with an emphasis on the word "blow." Marion Berry Knots are seen in a promotional photo from &pizza. (BML Public Relations) Masters Barry, who told Nexstar's WDCW that &pizza had not contacted her about the dessert, said, "I just think it's racist. In this city, it is outrageously racist. You can print that. It's racist and disrespectful." WDCW reached out to BML Public Relations for a response to any criticism that people, including Masters Barry, may have expressed of the restaurant's new item. BML Public Relations provided this statement from Mike Burns, the CEO of &pizza: We’re talking about a marionberry, that’s spelled with an ‘e.' We stuff that into a knot, drizzle it with icing and then top it with powdered sugar. It’s delicious — we can’t wait for D.C. to try it. Mike Burns, CEO, &pizza Many people who live in Southeast D.C., which Barry had represented, expressed criticism for the naming and marketing of the dessert. Pizza Hut unveils new restaurant — but there’s a catch "I think this is definitely in very, very poor taste. And it does not represent what we stand for, especially not in this community. So very, very disappointed. It's gonna make me rethink even buying something here," Clarine Thomas said. Thomas said she lives down the street from Barry's last house. "Being a pillar here in our community, we want partners in our community that are going to help to make things better, not make light and make fun of something that's really serious, like substance abuse," Thomas said. David Dobbs Jr. credits the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program for inspiring him to give back to the community. He doesn't approve of &pizza's marketing. "The reason why we go to Pizza Hut or any other pizza place is because we see the pizza and the cheese but now we have messages, like, that are suggesting drugs. Absolutely insane," Dobbs said.