JACKSON ADVANCES TO TOP 3 IN THE LOCAL PALATE'S "BEST CULINARY TOWN IN THE SOUTH" COMPETITION

Jackson, Mississippi has advanced to the Top 3 in The Local Palate's prestigious "Best Culinary Town in the South" competition for 2025. After advancing through the initial round that included 10 outstanding Southern towns, Jackson is now competing in the championship round for the ultimate culinary recognition.

The Local Palate sought "the best and brightest culinary towns across the Southeast, where you can not only find exceptional restaurants but also farmers' markets, wine shops, classic Southern dishes, great bars, and more. These are the towns where you'll find excellent food and drink as well as a community of food lovers in 2025." Jackson's advancement to the Top 3 demonstrates the city's complete culinary ecosystem that extends far beyond individual restaurants.

"Advancing to the championship round validates what we've always known: Jackson offers the complete culinary destination that The Local Palate was seeking," said Dr. Rickey Thigpen, President & CEO of Visit Jackson. "Being in the Top 3 out of over 40 towns researched across the South is remarkable, but now we're competing for the ultimate recognition. The December cover story prize would showcase Jackson's culinary excellence to food lovers across the region and beyond. Every vote in these final days counts toward bringing this recognition home to Jackson."

The championship voting is open to the public at thelocalpalate.comthrough end of day Thursday, July 31, 2025. The winner will be announced prior to the December 16 issue release and will be featured prominently on the cover, providing significant exposure to food lovers across the South and beyond.

Following the success of last year's inaugural competition, which garnered more than 10,000 votes and crowned Lafayette, Louisiana as the winner, this year's championship round represents the culmination of an even more competitive selection process.

The final issue will showcase as many as 20 Southern Culinary Towns, but only one will earn the prestigious cover recognition as the South's Best Culinary Town for 2025.

To vote for Jackson in the championship round, visit thelocalpalate.com. Voting closes at the end of day Thursday, July 31, 2025.