JACKSON, Miss. – The 22nd annual Taste of Mississippi event will bring together dozens of Mississippi chefs and fine restaurateurs to share their culinary favorites on Monday, March 29, 2010, at 7 p.m. at Highland Village. The event has been a Jackson-area favorite for two decades and was recently named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society.

This year’s Taste of Mississippi event will offer samplings from more than 40 area restaurants; a silent auction featuring local artwork, dinners and merchandise; and live music. Celebrity judges signed on to judge the event include restaurateur, author and columnist Robert St. John; WLBT’s Howard Ballou; editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey; and Viking Cooking School chef Matthew Sheeter.

“We’re very fortunate that during this tough economic time, there are still many Mississippians who are willing to share with the underprivileged people in our area,” said the Rev. Frank Spencer, Executive Director of Stewpot Community Services. “This is the largest annual fundraiser for Stewpot, and we are delighted to be celebrating more than two decades of generosity from our supporters.”

Last year, Taste of Mississippi raised more than $114,000 to fight homelessness and hunger in the Jackson area, setting an all-time record for Stewpot fundraising.

“The money we raise through Taste of Mississippi is a critical part of our ability to perform our 17 different ministries throughout the year,” said Spencer. “We can’t say thank you enough to those who contribute.”

The Taste of Mississippi Planning Committee would like to thank our sponsors, participating restaurants and beverage vendors, in-kind donors and volunteers who help make this event such a huge success.

This year’s sponsors include Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS, Ramey, AT&T, Baptist Health Systems, ClearChannel Radio, Comcast Spotlight, Fountain Construction and Highland Village. Also, American Field Services, Ameristar Casino, BancorpSouth, BankPlus, Cellular South, Clarion-Ledger, Duckworth Realty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ergon, Jackson Free Press, Maris, West & Baker, Parents & Kids, St. Dominic Health Services, US Foods, US NetworX, VIP Grand Events.

Tickets for this year’s event are $65 in advance and $80 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.tasteofms.org and at Everyday Gourmet, Bebop, McDade’s, Fresh Ink, the Highland Village Office and the St. Andrew’s Cathedral bookstore.