The next few months are jam-packed with culinary events that those of you who live in southern Mississippi might be interesting in attending. There will be everything from community dinners to culinary exhibits to scholarly talks.
Two exhibits on food recently opened in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Sixth Street Museum District is hosting "Where Smoke Meets Soul," a retrospective on Leatha's Bar-B-Que Inn. Leatha's was founded in Foxworth, Mississippi, in the 1970s and later moved to Hattiesburg. Although the restaurant is now closed, Leatha Jackson's rich style of barbecue was unique to southern Mississippi and earned her the title "Queen of Barbecue." This long-overdue retrospective is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11am to 2pm, and Saturdays from noon to 2pm at the Historic Eureka School and will remain open through April 25.
University Libraries at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, currently has an exhibit on community and cookbooks. The exhibit features the newest addition to the culinary collection, fifteen early-twentieth-century British community cookbooks, and situates them in conversation with similar American community cookbooks. The exhibit is open until March 5. There will be a coffee chat on March 5 to close the exhibit at 10am. The exhibit is housed in the McCain Library and Archives at Southern Miss.
Coming to the Table: A Community Culinary Celebration. Family-style soul food will be served while dinner guests will participate in guided discussions about food and its importance in Black households. February 12 at 6pm in the cafeteria of the Historic Eureka School.
Carried by Courage, Seasoned by History: The Legacy of John Seagraves. John Seagraves served aboard the most decorated American battleship of World War II and went on to have a successful career as a cook. The event will be held at the African American Military History Museum in Hattiesburg on February 19 at 5:30pm and is free and open to the public.
Baked into American Cuisine: James Hemings. Featuring a documentary on James Hemings, Thomas Jefferson's enslaved cook, and a mac & cheese bake-off competition. February 21 at 1pm at the Historic Eureka School. Free, but register by February 13 to join the competition.
Hope to see you at some of these events!