Summer chef series kicks off at Catfish Row Museum

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Catfish Row Museum is bringing history to the table this summer with its Summer Chef Series, a seasonal program that blends Mississippi’s rich culinary traditions with storytelling, scholarship, and community engagement.

This summer’s first featured guests included Dr. Andrew P. Haley, a food historian and professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, and Danielle Sypher-Haley, a culinary educator and practitioner. Together, the husband-and-wife duo offers an engaging exploration of Southern foodways, highlighting the cultural roots, regional ingredients, and people behind the recipes.

The Summer Chef Series aims to connect food with history and identity through interactive cooking demonstrations and conversations.

Author Kathy Starr will kick off the next installment on June 21 with a presentation titled “The Soul of Southern Cooking.”

On July 12, culinary enthusiasts can look forward to a joint appearance by Malcolm White and LeAnne Gault.

Chef Enrika Williams will take the spotlight on July 26 with “Bohemian Bites and Southern Roots,” showcasing her signature fusion of cultural flavors.

The series will conclude Aug. 9 with Chef Taylor Bowen-Ricketts’ “Southern Fresh: Tradition with a Twist,” a modern take on classic Southern cuisine.

Events will be held at the Catfish Row Museum located in downtown Vicksburg at 913 Washington Street, with dates and more information available on the museum’s website and social media platforms. Seating is limited.