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photo by Marcus Frazier
Tommy Simmons and winner of the Martha White Biscuit Cook-of Janelle Wheelis talk biscuits as they look over the bread Saturday morning at Main Street Market Place.
Natchez named biscuit capital
Published Sunday, August 3, 2008
NATCHEZ — Natchez is the biscuit capital of the world.
On behalf of Mayor Jake Middleton, Alderman Bob Pollard announced to the world that the designation belongs to the city.
“I am proud to claim the title,” Pollard said.
The process for getting the city the title took approximately three years of work, said Regina Charboneau, who championed the cause.
“Basically, in doing the research, I found that no one has claimed the title,” Charboneau said.
The reason to make sure no one else has claimed the title, which Charboneau did through research in the trademark office, is to avoid a biscuit brawl.
“For example, there was a big dispute between Oscala County, Fla., and Lexington, Ky., about who was the horse capital of the world,” Charboneau said.
There is a city in the Netherlands that claims the title as biscuit capital of the world, but that shouldn’t be the source of any future trans-Atlantic tension.
“They mean ‘cookie’ when they say biscuit, not the kind of biscuits we have here,” Charboneau said.
Charboneau cited the Carriage House’s famous biscuits, Biscuits and Blues and even historic records of Natchez biscuits as reasons why the city should have the title.
“It’s just one more thing for people to know about the city,” she said.
Now that Natchez is the proclaimed biscuit capital of the world, in January 2010 Charboneau said the city will host a national biscuit cook-off in which the winners of state fairs from around the country will come to compete in Natchez.
The proclamation was made at the fourth annual Martha White biscuit cook-off, part of the Natchez Food and Wine Festival.
The winner of that cook-off was Janelle Wheelis, who was followed by Susan Wheeler in second place and Sherry Brooks in third.
The winner of the most interesting biscuit award went to Lily Magruder, of St. Francisville.
“We put some chocolate chips and M&Ms in a biscuit and cooked it in a fryer,” Magruder said.
The Food and Wine Festival will conclude today with a Champagne Jazz Brunch at the Carriage House.
Comments
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The things that make you go hmmm...
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Since we're the fattest state, put some red-eye gravy on that biscuit. That's some good eatin.
Posted by xfloodman (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you NtzMom55. You can't beat that good ole red-eye gravy. I think I am going to have to make some.
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Are you freakin' kidding me?
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 3, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Red-Eye Gravy"??
It has to be Milk Gravy. You know, flour browned in bacon grease and milk added for the liquid.
Posted by iconoclast (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They worked for three years for this title? Who wants it? This is what we want to be known for? The future of Natchez is gloomy.
Posted by cali_blue (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys are making this Mississippi boy living in Cali homesick and very hungry!!!
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gary...I believe red eye gravy has something to do with pork juice. I ordered some at the Cracker Barrel in Brookhaven years back, thinking it was something else. It looked like pork grease in a bowl.
Posted by gator (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Iconoclast this is their idea of progress . I'll take a little butter with that fat girl ! Real progress ! How exciting , Biscuit Capitol of the World today . What next ? Chunky people of Natchez !
Posted by justice (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmmm . This article has made me hungry . Country made biscuits and syrup sounds great right now !
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 3, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kpage, there are all sorts/kinds of gravy. However, my favorite is milk gravy. It is what my folks made.
A dinner of fried deer steak, homemade mashed potatoes, homemade biscuits and milk gravy is one of my favorite meals. Of course, I do not get to eat it very often.
It will interesting to see the criteria for the perfect biscuit! I like a real crunchy bottom and a crisp top without much dough in between. Others like "cat head" biscuits.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well she, Regina, WOULD give a pat on the back or medal to Biscuits and Blues since that is her BROTHER!
jeez can no one in this town play fair?
Posted by cooper3k1 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It said it wasn't like our biscuits, but more like a cookie. Then why is it called a biscuit? Just curious.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Every country has their own "words" for their foods. Just like Cajun cooking and French cooking have different and sometimes difficult names to even pronounce, but when you hear it your mouth just waters and wishes for the taste of "home". Regardless of red-eye or milk gravies, they are both delicious. We had the red-eye here at my house because mom was not "over-whelmed" by the milk gravy.
It is good to be known for one more thing. People visit places because of certain foods that are available. Biscuits are something people can eat hot or cold, on the run or as an appetizer. Don't scoff at everything you hear and be proud we have things that will bring home folk and others to eat. I am glad we have these and wish we even had some more home-style, sit-down restaurant (with good parking). Natchez needs more restaurants but not more fast-foods. My out-of-town company come for Mammy's desserts, Carriage House biscuits, Fat Mama's margaritas, and many more.
Love my Natchez and thanks Regina for your work in getting us this title and assuring us of the cook-off in 2010.
Posted by straightshooter1 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree lambchop...now to find something to eat for dinner
Posted by iconoclast (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cooper3k1: We Americans did not invent the English language. The question should be how we came to use the term biscuit the way we do? In Britain, the word biscuit has always referred to what we call a cookie. The English phrase "tea and biscuits" means "tea and cookies."
Posted by blessed05 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
can anyone tell me exactly how to make red eye gravy? I've heard about it, but not sure what it is. is it anything like tomato gravey?
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
blessed05 red eye gravy and tomato gravy are different.I personally like tomato gravy best.
Posted by reb1843 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here in east Texas, my Deborah makes the best home-made biscuits this side of the Sabine River. About 3 inches in diameter, 1 1/2 inches tall, fall apart flaky. Now, drizzle a little melted butter o'er the top, then pour some of the neighbor's home-made golden light honey from his hives. They'll make you 'slap your mama' for the last one on the plate. Oh, I forgot the chicken fried steak, cream gravy, baked beans, and sweet tea.
Posted by josey (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree Lampchop.............I'm glad to see some recognition for Natchez!
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
if anyone wants to make biscuits that's fine with me
I love em in the morning with fig preserves and coffee
eggs, bacon, grits, oj, keep it coming baby................
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just great! Very good non-controversial, politicial item on the menu today--FOOD! Have it any way you want it? And when you want it?
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 3, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Very good non-controversial, politicial item on the menu today--FOOD!"
Well, how much more controversial can you get than the proper way to prepare food?
Opinions are varied on preparation, cooking, serving, etc.
Posted by MayJay (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK Biscuit Capital.....when's the biscuit festival????
Posted by justice (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For real ! That would be interesting if it was monetized and made into a festival of some sort . It works for strawberries and other food events I'm sure it will for this .
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad my moma didn't enter her bisquits...she'd have won. She makes the best, along with mater gravy. I, on the other hand, could make bisquits to send to the troops in Iraq. They could chunk em at the insurgents and wrap this war up real fast.
Posted by johnwentworth (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Regina also owns or owned at one point in time, the original biscuits and blues in california. conflict of interest in the biscuit competition.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is great to have Natchez known also for being the biscuit capital. I'm not sure about up north, but down here, most everyone loves biscuits. They are so versitile. You can put most anything in them (or by themselves) and make a meal out of it. I hope the biscuit festival takes off well. I feel it will be a great success for the Natchez area. Thank you Regina Charboneau for all the work you have done to make this possible!!
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey you nay sayers, when times get bad and all people can afford is flour...you'll think differently about that bisquit title. I can remember as a child when all we had to eat was bisquits and gravy...pretty good eatings really. We survived on that, and enjoyed doing it. Yall just haven't ever had my moma's bisquits and gravy.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 3, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't understand what you mean John. Was Regina entered in the competition or did she just come up with the idea for the competition in Natchez? The article says Janelle Wheelis won first prize.
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Regina for working to get Natchez the Biscuit
Capital designation. It is a bigger honor that what a lot of
people realize. Appreciate your efforts in bringing this to
Natchez.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish I had a bisquit right now. lol
Posted by inocentbystandr (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's go ahead and start planning the Biscuit Festival so all the fat chicks can compete for title of Biscuit Queen.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If any of yal know Regina you know she helps herself and that is IT.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish someone would spell biscuit correctly.
Posted by VillageIdiot (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Natchezians one and all. Now, where shall we erect the larger-than-life fiberglass biscuit monument? How about Memorial Park? On the bluffs? Main Street? Welcoming visitors and returning citizenry at the city limits? Perhaps the water towers could be artistically made-over as giant biscuits, painted to resemble our flakey, gravy-wed friends? Bold letters proclaiming, "Welcome to Natchez, Mississippi - The Biscuit Capital."
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Still shaking my head over this "title"....Kinda funny too...I guess it is the timing they just told us we are to fat now lets give us a buscuit capital title lol.....Whoever it was had to be bored as heck to even investigate this title lol.....Happy Eating to all!!!
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
biscuit. Happy now?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm always happy. Just sometimes I'm happier than at other times. Thank you.
Posted by reginacharboneau (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I absolutely take offense to this comment from "say it out loud" Why don't people use their real names if they care?
As I sit here totally exhausted after three days of Food Festival...I would like to know how it helps me? Give me some facts.The only area it could help me woud be the booking of my guest rooms...and I even donate three of the six to visiting Chefs. Get your facts straight.
As for the Biscuit Capital title..it is all in the attempt to create a January event for Natchez that will do what the Food Festival has done in August...bring business and people to Natchez and creates revenues that have never been there in slow months. Yes I do benefit living in a vibrant town that is not dieing on the vine.
I have never done a "blog" and do you know why? I try to do more important things. Get off your computer and go do some volunteer service.
Regina Charboneau ( my real name)
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If any of yal know Regina you know she helps herself and that is IT.
Posted by ThornInYourSide (anonymous) on August 4, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Natchez should be named the capital of old folks because that is all you see their is a bunch of people who drive like old people or can't drive at all
Posted by NatchezBell (anonymous) on August 9, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My sister came in second place...Go Missy, Go...
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