Event offers a Taste of Jackson County

The eighth annual Taste of Jackson County will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Pelican Landing Conference Center in Moss Point.

This is the benefit's first year at the conference center, which will allow for additional patronage. Carla Todd, Chamber president and CEO, said hundreds come to the Taste each year to enjoy a relaxed evening of socializing while sampling a variety of foods.

"The Taste of Jackson County is our way of showcasing the wonderful food that is available in our county," Todd said. "It's fun having all the restaurants in one location and being able to walk around and talk to the restaurants and find out more about their businesses."

Most restaurants serve sample portions of their top two signature dishes. With this year's lineup of about 20 participants, that means a menu filled with hot and cold foods, seafood, barbecue and American and Mexican cuisine, as well as coffee and spirits.

Participating restaurants have a great presence throughout the east end of the Coast and include two Harrison County businesses.

Following are this year's participants as confirmed at press time:

Aztecas Restaurant & Cantina, Bayview Gourmet, Boomtown Casino Biloxi, Delo's Heavenly House of Coffee, Dodge's Chicken Store, E.&J. Gallo Winery, El Patron Mexican Grill, Family Frozen Foods, Freckles Ice Cream & Bakery, Hacienda San Miguel Mexican Restaurant, Hilton Garden Inn of Pascagoula, Jack's By the Tracks, Morton's The Steakhouse at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, Off the Hook Seafood & Cajun Grille, Scranton's Restaurant & Catering, Simply Seafood & Catering, Tay's BBQ and The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint.

Entertainment will be provided by the Sicily Swing Trio. The group is made up of Coast musicians -- percussionist and vocalist Cheri Salvetti, keyboardist Pete Leoni and sax man Jimmy Vee. Their sound spectrum covers rhythm and blues, jazz and more.

Taste is a fundraiser for the 2015-16 Program of Work for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets, call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 762-3391. Participants must be 21 or older.

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Event offers a Taste of Jackson County ."