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Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

The Perfect Gift

…Webster’s definition of that word even applies to foodstuffs. But that is the word I am about to use.   Benton’s bacon is otherworldly.   Apparently, some friends from Hattiesburg…

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Lent

…a communication problem. Maybe the word just didn’t circulate in my church. I have Baptist friends who tell me about how fast news travels in their church. They call it…

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James Beard Foundation Awards

…custard to come to room temperature one hour before baking. Bake uncovered until bread is puffed and edges of croutons are golden brown, (approximately 40 minutes). Place a plate on…

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Family Vacation

…trip’s details— hotel confirmation numbers and addresses, telephone numbers, appointments and the like. But I also compile a detailed list of all of the restaurants I want to visit in…

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Memorial Day 2021

…While Waters completed a watercolor of a statue on the grounds, Matos gave me a full tour of the cemetery. Only one-third of those who were killed in combat in…

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Canned Peaches

My friend David invited me to lunch at his club in Jackson. The club was nicely decorated and comfortable. In one room there was an upscale buffet and in another…

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OJ

…are volatile. When it’s ready for packaging, companies such as Tropicana hire flavor companies such as Firmenich to engineer flavor packs to make it taste fresh. People think not-from-concentrate is…

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Restaurant Soul

…restaurant concept. The group struggled to communicate how they felt about it. Finally I said, “That restaurant just doesn’t have any ‘soul.’” The other guests paused for a beat, and…

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Most Frequently Asked Questions

I field questions on a daily basis, some through public appearances and book signings, others through email, but most often during face-to-face encounters in the restaurants. This column will attempt…

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