Learn the Secrets of Southern Cuisine at a Mississippi Culinary Arts School

One of the most beloved and appreciated culinary styles in America is that of Southern style fare. Categorized by locally grown ingredients, bold flavors and lots of hearty, filling favorites, Southern cuisine is no longer just found in restaurants in the South. In fact, Southern style cooking is making its way to upscale dining establishments in places like Los Angeles, New York City and even destinations abroad.

If you are interested in learning to cook Southern fare like an expert, then heading to one of the many cooking schools in Mississippi is a great idea. Read on to learn more about the various aspects of food and cooking in Mississippi, as well as why attending a chef school there is so popular.

Traditional Southern Fare

In most of Mississippi, the food on offer is traditional Southern country cooking. For breakfast in Mississippi, you might expect to dine on grits mixed with salt and cheese. This corn meal resembles a porridge and takes on a salty, filling flavor when combined with gooey melted cheese. Other breakfast options in Mississippi could include biscuits with white sausage gravy, eggs or bacon. Hearty lunch or dinner options in the traditional Southern style of cooking typically include favorites like cornbread, pan-fried chicken, stewed vegetables like field greens or collard greens and sweet desserts like sweet potato pie or peach cobbler.

Origins and History of Mississippi Cuisine

The kind of food that you might learn to cook while attending one of the many Mississippi culinary schools has roots in Native American, African-American and European colonial cultures. The original residents of the area, namely the Choctaw and Chickasaw peoples, may have influenced the cuisine of the French, Spanish and English settlers in the early 16th century. The history of plantations and slaveholders is evident due to the popular foods that remain today, many of them created by slaves who had limited access to ingredients. Collard greens with small ham flavorings and corn pone are two such examples of this.

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Cajun and Creole Influences

There is no denying that Mississippi’s proximity to nearby New Orleans has significantly influenced the culinary landscape. Aspiring chefs who choose to attend Mississippi cooking schools will have the opportunity to learn about the nearby Creole and Cajun cooking style. These culinary styles result in delicious dishes like jambalaya, boudin sausages or gumbo. These foods are traditionally characterized by the use of liberal spices and herbs and a French style of preparation, often with one meal cooked and served in a large dish or bowl.

Local Mississippi Favorites

Although much of Mississippi fare is Southern in general, there are also a few local favorites that are primarily specific to the state. Fried catfish is one dish that you will find in nearly every kitchen and restaurant in Mississippi, and is a meal that locals pride themselves on. For an authentic meal, pair the fried catfish with fried dill pickle slices, a local favorite. Other traditional Mississippi dishes include pecan pie, sweet iced tea, barbecued pork ribs with a sweet tomato sauce and red beans mixed with rice.

Lower Costs of Living

One of the top reasons to attend culinary arts schools in Mississippi is because of the lower costs of living in much of the state. Since the majority of Mississippi is rural, aspiring chefs are able to afford a better quality of life than they would in an expensive urban destination like Boston or New York City.

Whether you want to learn the fine art of Southern cooking or you just want to save money while attending culinary school, Mississippi is a top choice for many aspiring culinary professionals.

Find your culinary future by exploring Cooking-Culinary-Arts-Schools.org and the many ways you can prepare for a culinary career.