Summer Chef Series: Geno Lee

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Catfish Row Museum’s Summer Chef series continues this Saturday, August 10th at 2 p.m. with Geno Lee. Lee the fourth-generation owner of the iconic Big Apple Inn on Farish Street, downtown Jackson.

Lee is the fourth-generation owner of the Big Apple Inn. His great-grandfather, Juan “Big John” Mora, born in Mexico City, arrived in Jackson in the 1930s. After years of selling hot tamales on the streets of Jackson, Mora saved enough to put his money into a brick and mortar establishment on Farish Street. Mora named it after his favorite dance, the Big Apple, calling his new venture the Big Apple Inn.

Today, the Big Apple Inn is known for its smokes and ears, but it’s celebrated for its service to the community. Geno learned a thing or two from his great-grandfather about the importance of giving back.

“As long as he was able to care for his family, anything left over went to everybody else. In fact, all the kids in the neighborhood knew that they could get school supplies or get meals from Big John,” says Geno.

The event is free and open to the public.

This is an ongoing series and has featured guests such as author Susanne Deplantis. For more information on the Summer Chef Series, visit the Catfish Row Museum site here.