Page 10 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Spring, 2024

Cornbread Champs
There was more than just red beans being served at the third annual Red Bean Cook-Off
held to support CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children Hancock County. Hollywood Gulf Coast’s food and beverage team, under the leadership of Jim Snuggs (right), executive chef,
came in second place for their cornbread.
Natchez casino given large business award by chamber
NATCHEZ —The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce presented Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel with the Large Business Award at their Annual Membership Gala and Awards Ceremony
held in November at the Natchez Convention Center.
The event served
as a commendation
for the voluntary
contributions made
by businesses
and professionals
throughout the year,
emphasizing their
collective dedication
to advancing the
progress and
leadership of the Natchez community in 2023.
Tim Morrissey, vice president
and general manager of Magnolia Bluffs, accepted the award from Warren Gaines, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors. “Accepting the Large Business Award from the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce is not only a tremendous honor, but also a clear testament to our team’s dedication
and pride in the Miss-Lou community. This accolade underscores our commitment to cultivating positive relationships within the community and exemplifying a spirit of
Magnolia Bluffs General Manager Tim Morrissey (second from left) and Shannon Case (right), executive assistant, are pictured with Warren Gaines, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors; and Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.
collaborative growth.”
Since Saratoga Casino Holdings
acquired Magnolia Bluffs in
October 2022, the company has contributed $243,000 to the Natchez Community Development Fund allocated for economic
and community development. In addition, another $80,000 has been dedicated to sponsorships and donations that further support and enhance the community.
Island View chef wins ‘Cheese & Mac’ challenge
GULFPORT — There’s literally a “big cheese” at one of the
restaurants at Island View
Casino Resorts. Mary Grace
Moss, room chef at Prime Cut, won the Real California Cheese & Mac Challenge, taking home $5,000 in winnings for her grand-prize award-winning elote corn-a- roni.
The California Milk Advisory
Board’s inaugural virtual
foodservice contest challenged professional chefs and culinary students to develop and create cheese and macaroni dishes using Real California dairy products. Moss built her dish to include fire-roasted Mexican street corn (elote), crispy bacon, Real California queso fresco, Cotija cheeses and
crema Mexicana. It was garnished with crushed corn chips, freshly
chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and a hint of fresh lime. From Oxford, Mississippi,
and employed at Island View for the past nine years, Moss was introduced to corn-a-roni on road trip to see her college alma-mater, the University of Mississippi, play in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. “I remember the
food in Omaha being so good and it was nice to know they tailgate, too,” said Moss. “Wandering around I noticed a tent that had a huge crowd. I was hoping for the best. I was handed a paper plate with something they called corn-a-roni; I was blown away by how satisfying it was.”
“Jackie Seavey, executive sous chef at Island View, told me about the Cheese & Mac competition and that dish was the first thing that came to mind,” Moss said. “She and I got our creative minds reeling; she suggested roasting the corn, like an elote. Chef Jackie proceeded to say it needed a mac-and-cheese topper, but you will need something a little bit crunchier, maybe a tortilla? Then at the same time we both said Fritos!
“I immediately started shopping at all the super mercados along the coast looking
for California cheese,” she continued. “It
was easy because California is the biggest purveyors of Hispanic cheeses. I went home, took out my grandmother’s casserole dish and my favorite saucepan, started frying the bacon, roasted the corn, and the rest is history,”
Mary Grace Moss
10 MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS
SPRING 2024