By Lyndy Berryhill

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — A crowd of eager tasters walked through the doors at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening at the Natchez Convention Center to equally eager vendors ready to promote their morsels.

More than 30 vendors from across the Miss-Lou served beverages and dishes at the annual Natchez Food and Wine Festival’s Tastings Along the Mississippi River event. Bowie’s Tavern manager Lawrence Smith said he enjoys the festival because he gets to meet the guest chefs, see regulars and greet the first-timers.

“I tell everybody if you haven’t experienced it, you need to come on out and experience it,” Smith said.

Dishes served included pickled Gulf shrimp from Livingston Mercantile in Madison, bread pudding from Crazy Cat in Jackson, smothered pork cheeks with grits and greens from The Carriage House in Natchez and watermelon with Gulf sea salt from Cellar Salt Company based in Lafayette.

Vendors came from as far away as New Orleans and Tupelo.

The festival is not only a place where locals and tourists can come to enjoy the best food and drinks established Natchez restaurants have to offer, it is also a venue for new restaurants.

New restaurant Fine & Dandy served up tater tots topped with caviar with hopes of garnering an interest for the restaurant’s opening, which is scheduled for the first week of November in Jackson.

“Our motif is kind of grandma chic,” said Marisa Marino, hospitality director of the fine dining restaurant.

Vendors earning special awards during the event include:

Best In show

4Beauty Shop

4Neon Pig

4Crazy Cat

Peoples choice

4Crazy Cat

4Walkers Drive-in

4Carriage House

Beer

4Natchez Brewery

4Abita

4Lazy Magnolia

Wine

4Gallo

4Glazers

4Steve Tonore