JXN Food & Wine Festival is a celebration of Jackson's restaurant and hospitality industry, bringing together the vibrant flavors of our region and support for the local community. 30+ chefs, purveyors, and producers have been selected for the third year of this festival to bring the very best of the South to Jackson, in celebration of the city and Southern cuisine. The JXN Food & Wine Festival, produced by Visit Mississippi and the Local Palate Magazine, will take place Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, 2026 at the Mississippi Museum of Art as a grand tasting featuring local, regional, and national chefs to take guests on a gastronomic adventure.

The annual festival typically features:

• A large-format dinner showcasing the Chef Chair

• Two Grand Tasting sessions with ~30 chefs each day and six chef demos featuring notable chef personalities from Bravo’s Top Chef

• A high-profile chef Host (past hosts have included Cat Cora, Kelsey Barnard Clark)

• Attracts a crowd of over 2,000 people, including national and regional media

• Dedicates a portion of proceeds to support the Mississippi Restaurant Association Education Foundation, which provides scholarships to students seeking a post-secondary degree in restaurant manage or culinary arts

Rebecca provided:

• Acting as Talent Liaison, overseeing confirmation of talent, onboarding, travel and all communications

• Chef management - overseeing all culinary and operational needs, menu details, ingredient and equipment needs and other logistical requirements.

• Process development & tools - advise on best practices for chef relations, culinary partnerships and processes

• Strategic consultation - Identify opportunities to enhance chef experience, streamline communication, and elevate the overall culinary footprint of the festival