Soulful Cooking Takes Center Stage at Catfish Row Museum’s Summer Chef Series
Vicksburg, MS – June 21, 2025
Dr. Kathy Starr captivated a full house at Catfish Row Museum during the second installment of the Summer Chef Series, emphasizing that cooking transcends mere recipes. Starr shared her family’s rich culinary legacy of Southern soul food, born from generations of tradition and love.
Hailing from Hollandale, Mississippi, Starr credits much of her culinary inspiration to her grandmother, Frances Fleming Hunter, affectionately known as Miz Bob. "She was exceptional," Starr remarked, noting that Miz Bob’s wisdom instilled in her at least 2,000 sayings, which Starr plans to document in a future book.
Starr’s upcoming culinary book will feature over 327 recipes, focusing on how to adapt traditional dishes for dietary needs. "It will teach you how to convert your recipes to dietary meal plans," she explained, while sharing practical tips, such as cooking meats without salt or pepper. However, she underscored that Southern cooking is as much about attitude and emotion as it is about technique.
"One thing about Southern cooking: It’s more than just a cookbook; it’s a soul," Starr noted, inviting attendees to experience the heart behind her cooking.
For those who missed Starr’s demonstration, the Summer Chef Series continues to offer unique culinary experiences. Upcoming events include Malcolm White and LeAnne Gault on July 12, Chef Enrika Williams’ “Bohemian Bites and Southern Roots” on July 26, and Chef Taylor Bowen-Ricketts’ “Southern Fresh: Tradition with a Twist” on August 9.
With each event, the series promises to celebrate not only the art of cooking but the deep cultural narratives that define Southern cuisine.
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