JXN Food & Wine Festival

Foodies'll be heading north the second they sniff this new Food & Wine festival out. Hosted by Season 34 Chopped winner Nick Wallace and Iron Chef Cat Cora, both natives of the festival's home city—the JXN Food & Wine Festival promises tastings form over twenty local and regional chefs, samplings of wine, beer, spirits, and mocktails; a demo stage, and live music. Doors open at 6:30 pm, with early VIP arrival at 6 pm (which also includes an exclusive VIP area with hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, dedicated restrooms, and a celebrity chef meet and greet). A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Mississippi Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Tickets start at $85. jxnfoodandwine.com.