If you are looking for great restaurants in Mississippi, there are in Jackson: Bravos (Wine Spectator Award), Huntington Grille, Schimmels. Cleveland, MS is the home of KC's (James Beard Chef - Wally Jo), Oxford MS is the home of zCity Grocery (Chef John Currence studied under Bill Neal and the Brennans), and Hattiesburg has Purple Parrot. It has a growing culinary community aside from soul food, fried food, and BBQ.