Southern Cookbook with History

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Media Contact: Maggie Brown, Public Relations Intern

Tel: 662-236-6429 (W)

E-mail: mebrown4@olemiss.edu

Art Council cookbook reflects Southern tradition

Oxford, Miss.-- Nothing defines the image of the South quite like food. For as long as there has even been a ‘South,’ food has been the most distinct aspect of the region. Sharing food and drink with family and friends is a lasting tradition in the South and is the ultimate reflection of Southern hospitality. For generations, the foods of the South have provided nourishment and bonding for even the largest of families, especially around holidays. 

Whether it be a memory of a 4th of July barbeque, or a Thanksgiving dinner at grandma’s house, Southern meals have a way of leaving a lasting impression. The recipes for all great Southern meals are often compiled into community cookbooks that are passed down from generation to generation. In today’s world, cookbooks help maintain a Southerner’s sense of identity. 

In Oxford, MS, the love for all things Southern is unmatched. With restaurants dating back to the 1800’s, Oxford is one town where food is undeniably part of its history, past and present. The variety of Southern delicacies spans across any of the many restaurants located in Oxford’s historic downtown area, known to locals as ‘The Square.’  Oxonians, like all Southerners, prize their generations-old recipes. So it’s no surprise that when the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council began compiling a fundraising cookbook, local  Southerners jumped at the chance to become involved. The cookbook, titled Square Table, has continued to celebrate the culture and history of Southern food since its release in 2005. Compiled from over 200 artists, cooks and authors, Square Table not only offers mouth-watering recipes like Brown Sugar Pound Cake and Caramel Cobbler, but also serves as an ode to all things Southern. Sales for Square Table have even gone beyond just the South and have been gradually expanding to other states. Square Table has introduced the taste of the south to numerous food lovers across the nation as the perfect ‘go-to’ cookbook for Christmas meals, Thanksgiving feasts,  and all the celebrations in-between. Winner of the 2006 National Tabasco Community Cookbook Award, Square Table continues to be a best-selling cookbook beloved throughout Southern kitchens.

Square Table is a fundraising publication created by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council.  The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization functioning as the official arts advocate for Oxford and Lafayette County. Since 1995, the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC) remains committed to an extraordinary and diverse offering of artistic and cultural opportunities for its members and constituents. The Arts Council is headquartered at the Powerhouse, a 2,800 sq. ft. exhibition hall that hosts more than 300 artistic events of all types throughout the year.

To purchase a copy of Square Table, please visit our online store at www.oxfordarts.com or contact us at 662-236-6429.

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