Austin Sumrall is featured at a chef dinner at Albert’s at Parlor Market September 10.

Fondren Renaissance is starting a new tradition in 2019.

The inaugural Mississippi Food and Wine Festival will be held June 14-16, 2019, with preview events happening this fall in September and October.

The 2018 fall events (detailed below) are comprised of two private dinners and two large-scale culinary events centered around barbeque and a gospel brunch.

(Purchase tickets here).

“We want the public to get a taste of the type culinary events that will be featured at the annual festival,” said Jim Wilkirson, FRF Executive Director.

This fall’s large-scale events are each limited to 200 people and will be held at The Cedars. The private chef dinners are each limited to 75 people. September’s dinner features Austin Sumrall of White Pillars in Biloxi and October’s offering features Alex Harrell of Franklin Marigny in New Orleans.

Founded to promote and emphasize Fondren’s eclectic and award-winning culinary community, the Mississippi Food and Wine Festival will incorporate chefs and establishments, not only from the Fondren and Jackson community, but all areas across Mississippi and the South.

The 2019 Mississippi Craft Beer Festival, entering its fifth year, will become the Friday anchor event next summer. “We will also introduce a Saturday competition day involving categories such as seafood, barbecue, baking and mixology (bartender and barista) in the first year,” Wilkirson said.

Rounding out the weekend will be a series of private dinners held throughout the city, plus a “Grand Tasting” held on Duling Avenue on Saturday evening. The weekend concludes with a Sunday gospel brunch.

The three-day event, presented by FRF, will be a major fundraiser for the organization benefitting its programming and efforts in and around the Fondren area.

“A portion of the funds raised throughout the event will be given to food worthy charities of interest nominated by those participating in the event,” Wilkirson explained.

The 2018 preview event charities are Extra Table, Mississippi Food Network’s Backpack for Kids Program, Farm Families of Mississippi and Jackson’s own Refill Café.

(Purchase tickets here)

Fall 2018 Events

Chef Dinner, Monday, September 10 - Albert’s at Parlor Market featuring Austin Sumrall, Derek Emerson, Robert Rushton, Chaz Lindsay, Jesse Houston and
Val Spelman. Benefitting MS Food Network’s Backpacks for Kids Program (Jackson)

MS Whole Hog BBQ, Sunday, September 23 - The Cedars with Andy Cook, David Crews, Mitchell McCamey, Nathan Glenn, Scott Koestler and Derek Emerson. Music by The Hustlers; Cash bar by Cathead Distillery & Southern Beverage. Benefitting Farm Families of MS (Statewide)

Chef Dinner, Wednesday, October 24 – CAET featuring Alex Harrell, Derek Emerson, Louis LaRose, Alex Eaton, Laura Strickland, Babylonstoren Wines with Grady Griffin. Benefitting Refill Café (Jackson)

MS Gospel Brunch, Sunday, October 28 – The Cedars with Robert St. John, Ty Thames, Elizabeth Heiskell, Derek Emerson and Mitchell Moore. Live Gospel – Cash bar feat. Debutante Farmer Bloody Marys & Cathead Mimosas. Benefitting Extra Table (Jackson)

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