Page 92 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2017

food
as art
STORY BY KELSEY SUNDERMAN-FOSTER
The city of Ocean Springs is known for its soul and artistic flair, which plays an important role in the community. This spirit can be seen not only in the city’s people and places, but in its cuisine as well. For Ocean Springs, food is truly a work of art.
“Our chefs take pride in their work and their food is their
art,” says Paige Riley, owner of Hillyer House, a gallery known for having inspiring artwork from more than 400 different artists. “From a warm and welcoming smile to creative cocktails and menu creations, Ocean Springs has it all.”
The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural center is a huge supporter of culinary arts in the city and even hosts a culinary arts café led by chef Cheri Heirs.“Each month, Heirs and her team craft a lunch and learn for a select audience to learn about cooking and how a delightful meal comes together,” said Cynthia Sutton, executive director of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.“This chef is not new to the creative arts by any means. If you can dream it, she can create it with food as her medium.”
Another culinary hot spot is the Saturday morning Ocean Springs Fresh Market, which is operated by Coast chef Diane
Claughton. This weekly market is hosted at the historic L&N Depot Plaza and showcases the locally grown and flavored aspect of the community. “From the creative displays
of the Nitro Coffee guy, the baskets filled with home-made cookies to the hand-made sign advertising ‘organic greens sold here,’ it’s something you won’t want to miss,” said Sutton.
Many Ocean Springs restaurants purchase these locally-sourced ingredients each Saturday from the Fresh
food displays, which feature a farm-to-table concept using natural flora and fauna from around the Coast.
From farm to table, each step of the way is paved with creativity and care when
it comes to Ocean Springs Cuisine. Each member of the community plays an important part in the city’s story.“It’s important to work together
as one community, to keep our town special,” says Roxy Condrey, a co-owner of The Roost, one of Ocean Springs’ boutique hotels.“One of the
wonderful things about Ocean Springs, is that all
the shops, galleries, and restaurants
work together to create a one of a kind experience for everyone who visits.”
Market to put in their a-kind meals. The Fresh Market has been going on for 12 years now, and has become so popular that it has expanded to take over the entire L&N Depot parking lot each Saturday.
With the availability of fresh produce, many Ocean Springs restaurants have taken the art of
food to another level, both in terms
of presentation and concept. Lola Fleur Catering & Market, owned by Jennifer Gladden, is known for its special events and
one-of-
92 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2017
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