Mary Johnson, an Indianola native and student in Mississippi Delta Community College’s culinary program, will showcase her skills at Friday’s Fork & Fête in Meridian.
The event, hosted by the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.
Johnson, a sophomore in the program led by Chef David Crews at the community college, is excited and not at all nervous, having spent hours preparing.
“I’ve been cooking since I was 13, with my grandmother,” she said. “I always liked cooking chicken, rice and cornbread.”
Her early experiences have shaped her career.
“My cooking developed and got better over the years,” she said. “I was so glad when I was in high school because they had home economics. It was like a culinary class where you also learn to keep a house and basic skills, and I got a chance to learn to enhance those skills I already had.”
Johnson will be cooking collard greens, pinto beans, baked chicken, dressing, macaroni and cheese, rice pilaf and banana pudding for Friday’s meal.
She said she had already spent several hours prepping the greens and beans and was anticipating beginning work to prepare the chicken. Full prep will take two days, and she is expecting to serve 300 people at the Fork & Fête, she said.
“When I’m going somewhere I’ve never been and serving people I’ve never served, I get excited,” she said. “I’m confident in what I do, and sharing my gift of cooking with others is what brings a smile to my face.”
“One of the best things about working with Mrs. Mary,” Crews said, “is the joy and love she puts into her food. … She is always humming or singing, and you can feel the love and passion as she cooks.”
He has served as Johnson’s instructor at MDCC for two years, and this is their first time cooking together for an event.
“Our cooking styles couldn’t be more polar opposite, but our common love of food makes it work beautifully,” he said.
Johnson said her goal is to “elevate the flavors and presentations in my soul food yet keep it traditional.”
Laura Hester, director of communications and programs for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (“The MAX”), anticipates a tasteful experience for guests. “They’re going to take what we classify as soul food and really take it up a notch,” she said.
Crews has cooked for MAX events before, but this will be Johnson’s first time.
“We haven’t had the privilege of tasting Mrs. Mary’s cooking yet, but we have had the privilege of having Crews, and he speaks of her with the highest regard,” Hester said.
“He’s seen my capabilities and knows what I can do,” Johnson said. “I’m excited about what’s going to take place and what the outcome will turn out to be.”
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
