If you want to learn to make hush puppies and stewed okra, the Astor Center has three classes coming up beginning July 18 taught by southerner Emily Casey that will show you how to cook southern. Click here for details.

Can Yankees learn to cook southern? I have my doubts. You have to be born in the South. Your gene pool and the terroir are both critical.

For a dose of real Southern cooking, you have to travel, to, say, Mississippi where Arthur Davis cooks up a mean batch of crispy, succulent fried bird. We visited his Country Store in Lorman, MS last fall. Food is served typical buffet-style, with biscuits, greens and the like.

The only fried chicken maker that may beat out Arthur is Willie Mae’s in New Orleans. Tucking into that bird is nothing short of orgasmic.

Here’s my video of Mr. Davis singing about his mama and his fried chicken:

Related posts:

1. Cheslea: Tipsy Parson for When You Have a Yen for Almost-Southern
2. Ice Cream Event at New York’s Astor Center Slated for Sept. 1
3. Wedding Foods at Astor Center March 11 Featuring Momofuko, Landmarc, Other Purveyors