Mississippi
World Catfish Festival Raises Funds For Mississippi Residents Devastated By Recent Tornado
This 12 months’s celebration of all the things catfish takes on a deeper which means as organizers pledge to assist neighbors affected by the savage storm that killed 23 leveled a lot of Rolling Fork. The favored competition, which pulls 1000’s, is April 1 in Belzoni, Ms.
The forty third World Catfish Competition is April 1, 2023, in Belzoni, Ms., which is called the center of … [+]
For the love of catfish
Mississippi ranks No. 1 because the nation’s catfish producers, greater than 171 million farm-raised fish in its stock as of July 2022, in keeping with the USDA.
The firm-fleshed white fish has lengthy been prized on Southern tables, largely fried and served alongside slaw and hush puppies. (There’s a listing of prime spots to order the fish on the finish of the story.)
Group organizers on this small city about two hours south of Memphis cooked up a family-friendly feast to shine a light-weight on this staple greater than 43 years in the past. A number of the highlights of the day-long occasion embrace a road truthful that includes greater than 100 distributors, the catfish consuming contest and the crowning of Miss Catfish. Final 12 months’s winner, Jillian Roberts, will move the torch after a 12 months full of particular appearances.
Roberts entered the competitors as a tribute to her grandfather, Paul Roberts. “My grandfather and his father began the primary catfish farm within the space in 1968 and ran it till 2004,” she mentioned in a current telephone interview. Although the household farm transitioned to cattle, he nonetheless cherished the catfish business, she mentioned.
Apart from throwing out the primary pitch at a Delta State sport — go Combating Okra! — and studying A Catfish Story to high school youngsters, Roberts mentioned the spotlight of her tenure as Miss Catfish was sharing the story about how the fish are raised.
Her favourite catfish dish? “I like fried catfish,” she mentioned.
Whereas the crowds are having fun with the World Catfish Competition’s lineup of meals, musicians carry out on stage. This 12 months’s invoice consists of Grammy award winner Cedric Burnside, who grew up within the Delta. Bravo!
For the complete schedule, try the World Catfish Competition on Fb.
Grammy award winner Cedric Burnside will carry out on the forty third annual World Catfish Competition in … [+]
Neighbors serving to neighbors
Shortly after the devastating storm hit close by cities, leaving many households homeless, competition organizers started to hatch a plan on how they might assist. The occasion’s Fb web page quoted Helen Keller saying: Alone we are able to accomplish that little, collectively we are able to accomplish that a lot.”
They’ve established a Paypal fund that can go on to these affected by the twister via the Coronary heart of the Delta Basis. There will likely be QR codes posted all through the competition, steering those that wish to donate to the web page that features particulars.
Jillian Roberts, the 2022 Miss Catfish, will move the crown throughout this 12 months’s World Catfish … [+]
The very best place to eat catfish is…
There are undoubtedly robust opinions on this subjective topic, particularly in catfish nation, nevertheless it’s robust to beat a plate of crispy filets served at Taylor Grocery close to Oxford. That’s additionally a scorching spot if you happen to’re within the temper for a complete fried catfish.
Florida Avenue Grill in Washington D.C. is a great distance from Mississippi, nevertheless it nonetheless feels such as you’re eating within the deep South. Particularly if you happen to order catfish and grits for breakfast.
At chef Kristi Brown’s Communion in Seattle, the ‘Hood Sushi Bowl places catfish in a complete new mild, delivering the fried fish on a colourful seaweed salad with pickled veggies, steamed rice, the appetizer completed in a Creole remoulade. Sure, please!
Florida Avenue Grill in Washington D.C. serves fried catfish and grits on its breakfast menu.