Country Roads handed legendary Chef John Folse, culinary institute founder, TV cooking show host, author and all around culinarian extraordinaire, the difficult task of selecting nominees for Most Promising Up-and-Coming Chef.

Among the awesome group of creative young chefs he nominated for your consideration, chef/owner Craig Noone of Parlor Market in Jackson, Mississippi, took the top honors as reader favorite.

An amazing talent and visionary, Noone (pronounced “noon”) worked in the front of the house at a Jackson restaurant while pursuing business studies at Mississippi College. He followed up his business degree with culinary school, graduating at the top of his class from the Texas Culinary Academy.

He spent his externship cooking at the Palace Casino in Biloxi, leaving for Europe following Hurricane Katrina to further his culinary training. He earned a master’s from the Italian Culinary Institute and cooked at the Pragelato Village Resort & Spa during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Piedmont.

After soaking up food styles, flavors and culture, he returned to the United States and worked at New Orleans’ Restaurant August with John Besh. He left for Dallas to join the grand opening team for Fearing’s in the Ritz-Carlton, named Esquire’s best new restaurant (2007) and Zagat’s Top Hotel Dining in the U.S. (2009).

Never far from his beloved Jackson in spirit and thoughts, Noone was encouraged by the city’s renaissance and enlisted two talented chefs he worked with in Texas to join him in fulfilling his dream to open a restaurant in the heart of downtown Jackson.

But not just any restaurant. Noone was determined to create a menu based on locally and regionally sourced ingredients and dishes reflecting the heritage of Mississippi’s diverse cultural background.

He located an 1898 building on Capitol Street, just a block from the site of the historic King Edward Hotel. Noone researched the property and drew upon the findings to restore the space in a fashion that reconnects with its former life as a grocery, yet fits within the new restaurant’s identity as an homage to Mississippi history and culture.

The restaurant takes its name from a grocery operation known as Parlor Market, which was housed in the building until its closing in 1926. Many of the materials and artifacts in the restaurant are a nod to previous occupants over the past century.

The restaurant’s menu, combining tradition and innovation, reflects a focus on regional cuisine and references influences from a vast array of Mississippi Delta origins. Since its opening about fifteen months ago, Parlor Market has been acclaimed as one of the best new restaurants in the state and has won many other top dining awards.

Sadly, Noone’s life was cut short at age 31 in a motor vehicle accident several months ago, on the day he received the news that Folse had nominated him among the most promising up-and-coming chefs.

“He was bouncing off the walls, he was so excited,” said Elise Russell, Parlor Market’s event coordinator. “It was a great day for him and he was just elated.”

Russell continued, “He was an extraordinary individual. He felt everyone was special and would do anything for others. He was very well loved and well respected by everyone in the restaurant community, as well as by anyone else whoever met him.”

Russell, chef de cuisine Jesse Houston and sous chef Ryan Bell agreed that, as part of the team Noone put together to create Parlor Market, they are committed to continuing his dream.

“We are all on the same groove as Craig,” said Bell.  “We’re going in the direction he had for the restaurant. We want it to be successful for Craig and for Jackson.”

Another couple of Noone’s dreams are being addressed as well. He started raising funds for a Miracle League Baseball program in Jackson for mentally and physically handicapped children, which Bell is continuing.

“In addition, Craig wanted to see more young people involved in our industry,” said Bell, “and was interested in starting a culinary school scholarship.”

Since his passing, the Craig Noone “Rock it Out” Scholarship Fund has been set up by the Mississippi Restaurant and Hospitality Association. Donations from businesses and fundraising events are making Noone’s dreams a reality.

Parlor Market
115 W. Capitol Street
Jackson, MS
(601) 360-0090
parlormarket.com

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