The Foodie Culture & Tupelo

           

            When I was younger, it was a special treat to dine outside of my family kitchen. My family didn’t go out to eat very often unless we were out of town or celebrating something special. However, as I got older, I noticed it became a little more common for us to eat out. It started by going out one night a weekend, then both Friday and Saturday night and now it’s several times a week.

It seems we have been part of a cultural shift within the last 10-15 years where people eat outside of their own home more, and how could we not?  The options available for meals have increased so much it’s hard not to salivate at our wide array of choices. There are local restaurants, fast food joints, chain restaurants and now there’s even trucks with food! The possibilities are endless! Not to mention, dining out is incredibly convenient, because it takes the pressure away from us cooking when we could be visiting with friends and family.

Part of this cultural shift of eating out more frequently has also given way to the Foodie culture. Individuals have become so enamored with food that they have taken to seeking and enjoying food as a hobby. Also, with the commonality of the smart phone, apps like Facebook and Instagram have enhanced our “food experience.” It’s almost impossible to scroll through either platform without seeing what someone had for dinner. This has also been aided by the likes of the Food Network and the Travel Channel, featuring shows pertaining to food as more than nourishment but an experience. The Foodie culture has lent itself to creating a global phenomenon of taking food from a place of nourishment to a total experience.

Tupelo has not missed out on this trend. From the Taste of Tupelo expo, to the local food truck, farm-to-table scene and more, Tupelo has developed its own part of the Foodie culture. With our own flavor of Southern cuisine, the city has embraced its geographical location as an opportunity to exhibit the wonderful tastes of our region. It hasn’t stopped there as Tupelo has seen several new ethnic restaurants and encouraged patronage to the new food experiences.

To encourage the growth of the Tupelo Foodie culture, we are starting a Tupelo Foodie Challenge. We encourage people to participate by sharing pictures of their meals from their favorite Tupelo eateries and tagging us on Facebook (Tupelo CVB) or use #TupeloFoodie on Twitter and Instagram. The contest will end Thursday, January 23 and a winner will be chosen on Friday, January 24. The winner’s meal photo will be shared across all of our social media platforms. Remember, the more creative and appetizing your photo, the more likely you are to win!

Our goal is to make this Challenge a monthly competition with different prizes each month, however we need everyone to participate. So, tag us and share your pictures!