The culinary industry is essential to Mississippi's economy, as the local southern cuisine is a major draw for tourists and residents alike. Fried catfish, cornbread, and sweet Mississippi barbecue are all local favorites, and tourists flock to culinary destinations like Belzoni, Mississippi, home of the World Catfish Festival.

A Career in Southern Cooking

Graduates of Mississippi's culinary schools should consider larger cities like Jackson, Gulfport, and Biloxi when pondering career options. Mississippi's cost of living is among the lowest in the nation, particularly in terms of the housing market. Mississippi's culinary industry gets an additional boost from the state's casinos. Salary.com reports that fine dining cooks in Jackson earn $26,300 on average, sous chefs earn $35,800, and executive chefs earn $72,500.