HOT STUFF!
SOUTHERN INDIANA’S CULINARY SCENE IS ATTRACTING
ATTENTION FROM ALL OVER THE REGION – AND BEYOND.
HERE’S WHY WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING.
BY ANGIE FENTON
PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN WATSON TAKEN AT MESA, A COLLABORATIVE KITCHEN, 216 PEARL ST. IN NEW ALBANY
M
Months ago, a “foodie” friend asked me for
dining recommendations when she was in the area
for a business trip. I text her plenty of options, only
to get this reply: “I trust you, but…” followed by a
few emojis along with several unfavorable GIFs.
“Trust me,” I told her, biting my tongue before
adding that I would pay if she had a terrible
experience. And then I waited.
After my friend’s visit, she took the time to call
me – we’d seen one another in person during her
visit, so this was extra – to just say, “Thank you.
Wow. Southern Indiana is the next.”
The next? What does that mean? I asked.
“The next BIG thing happening,” my friend
replied with a heart emoji.
Call our Southern Indiana culinary scene
whatever you want – including “the next” with
emoticons – but what we are is here to stay,
amazing, ready to redefine and share with others.
We are a community filled with talented people
executing amazing accomplishments in the
culinary arts, in small kitchens and high-priced
ones, too, from comfort to cutting-edge food.
For example, MESA, A Collaborative Kitchen
in downtown New Albany gives people the
opportunity to engage with chefs and experts.
This phenom in the foodie world continues to
grow rave reviews while booking chefs from
around the region. (Go to MesaChefs.com for
more information.)
Want evidence? Look to publications and
online resources like Southern Indiana Eats ‘n
Treats (southernindianaeatsntreats.com), Food &
Dining Magazine (foodanddine.com), Southern
Indiana’s Clark-Floyd Counties Tourism Bureau
(gosoin.com), and, of course, Extol (extolmag.
com). Collectively, you’ll find everything culinary
related from exciting and ingenious to mainstays
and down-home establishments.
Whatever your taste is, celebrate Southern
Indiana and what our talent brings to the table.
We’re hot stuff. So, eat up – and invite others to
join in.
27