The Southern Foodways Alliance (SFA), a part of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at The University of Mississippi, is featuring U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish in several events this year as part of its efforts to celebrate the diverse food cultures of the South. Visitors to SFA events have the opportunity to sample this versatile, healthy and flavorful fish in many delicious preparations.
Scheduled for September 26, U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish will play a featured role in the first Presidential Debate of 2008 between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. The debate will be held in Oxford, Miss., on the campus of The University of Mississippi and promises to bring the national spotlight to the State of Mississippi. As part of a showcase of Southern culture, U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish will be served at an event beginning at noon on the day of the debate. There will be special appearances by Captain Catfish, the official mascot of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, and this year's Miss Catfish, Leah Barger of Belzoni, Miss.
Approximately 5,000 national and international journalists are expected to attend the debate and the events surrounding it.
"Catfish is an enduring part of Mississippi's food culture," said Roger Barlow, president of The Catfish Institute. "We are excited to share our favorite fish with people from other parts of the world who may not be as familiar with Southern-fried catfish. We believe they will leave with a new appreciation for Southern food."
U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish was also recently celebrated at the SFA'sPotlikker Film Festival in Oxford, Miss., on August 22. This event featured U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish prepared three unique ways, so visitors had the opportunity to sample catfish cooking methods from different areas of the South. The menu included:
- Catawba River Salt and Pepper Catfish by Dan Huntley who demonstrated his home style Carolina catfish dish.
- Arkansas Rice-Crusted Catfish by Chef Lee Richardson of Ashley's restaurant at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock, Ark.
- Thin-Shaved Catfish by Middendorf's restaurant in Manchac, La.
More than 500 SFA members attended the film festival and dined on the assortment of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish. In addition to the Carolina-style whole catfish, and rice-crusted fillets by Chef Lee Richardson - former assistant to celebrity Chef John Besh - it should be noted that this event marked a first for Middendorf's, the iconic Louisiana catfish restaurant.
"This is the first time Middendorf's has ever prepared catfish outside of Manchac, La.," said SFA executive director John T Edge. "That's huge for us!"
The Potlikker Film Festival presented King Corn, a documentary film about our nation's grain addiction and its effects on everything from the world's food supply to the price of livestock and catfish feed. Also featured was a biographical film by Joe York, which focuses on the works of Lynn Hewlett, owner of the famed Taylor Grocery in Oxford, along with other short films.
This year's final SFA event featuring U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the Southern Foodways Symposium on October 23-26. This annual event is in its 11th year and will again be held in Oxford, Miss. U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is a familiar presence at the symposium, which provides opportunities for cooks, chefs, food writers and inquisitive eaters to gain a better understanding of Southern cuisine and culture. Lectures, held in Johnson Commons at the heart of The University of Mississippi campus, are complemented by informal lunches and dinners served in and around Oxford.
According to Barlow, "By the end of the year, U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish will have been featured at five SFA events. We are able to reach an influential group of culinary enthusiasts through these events, where we can remind them of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish's legacy in the South. Remembering our product's heritage is vital in challenging economic times, and we hope to encourage consumers to keep our tradition alive by purchasing U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish and supporting our local farmers."
To learn more about the Southern Foodways Alliance and its upcoming events, visit http://www.southernfoodways.com.
To learn more about U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish, visit www.UScatfish.com.
The Catfish Institute was founded in 1986 by catfish feed mills and their producer members with the goal of raising consumer awareness about the benefits of U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish.