Page 152 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2018

DINING food for thought
The South’s Best Chefs to Headline Exclusive Culinary Event
The following distinguished chefs have been announced to headline
Bourbon & Pearls, the Gulf Coast Culinary Society’s first affair that
will be held on October 18 at the historic White Pillars restaurant:
•Chris Hastings, James Beard Award winner ‘Best Chef: South’ and co-owner of
Hot and Hot Fish Club and Ovenbird in Birmingham;
•Derek Emerson, James Beard Award semi-finalist ‘Best Chef: South’ and co-owner of Walker’s Drive Inn and Parlor Market in Jackson;
•Alex Harrell, Thrillist’s 2016 ‘Best New Orleans Chef,’ formerly of Angeline in New Orleans and owner of a new venture opening this fall;
•Austin Sumrall of White Pillars, named Gulf Coast ‘Best Chef’ by The Sun Herald and ‘Best New
Restaurant in Mississippi’ by
Mississippi Magazine;
•Scott Meinka, acclaimed Culinary
Institute of America graduate and chef, with Fatsumo Sushi in Pass Christian.
These chefs, and other VIPs still to
be announced, will be joined by area oyster farmers, along with high end bourbon and wine purveyors, to offer a multi-course meal. Culinary Society members who purchase tickets will also be treated to an exclusive ‘meet and greet’ with the featured chefs and receive an autographed menu and commemorative gift.
Event proceeds will benefit Feeding the Gulf Coast and help fund the completion of a new warehouse in Gulfport to increase the charity’s support of local food pantries.
Tickets are $125 and are available at www.gulfcoastculinarysociety.com.
SOPHI’S:
MEDITERRANEAN WITH SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
A successful restaurant owner
not only creates an enjoyable dining experience for his customers, but also makes his patrons feel they are a part of the restaurant. Sophi’s Mediterranean Café in Biloxi has been under new ownership since March 2018, and owners Adair and Ed Jones are serving up an array of Mediterranean dishes with a side of Southern hospitality.
Adair learned from the previous owner, who was from Tunisia, to create the dishes on the menu, using a unique blend of spices and marinades, with influences from North Africa, Turkey, and Egypt. A native of Gulfport,
Adair began a career in the arts and later joined his brother Ed in a home construction business. But, owning a restaurant was always in the rearview.
“I worked most of my way through
story and photo courtesy of
Mississippi Coast Restaurant & Beverage Association
college in the restaurant/bar industry,” he said. “I was always in the kitchen asking cooks questions about how to prepare and cook different kinds of meats and dishes. I like experimenting with new recipes. It seems when I find a recipe I can tweak and perfect, I come across another recipe to claim as a favorite.”
Sophi’s Mediterranean Café is located at 2729 Pass Road, Biloxi and is a member of the Mississippi Coast Restaurant & Beverage Association.
Adair Jones and Ed Jones
152 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2018 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net