“Our purpose for this event was to showcase the diverse culinary skills we possess and to offer our guests a taste of something special that combines the best of both worlds.””

Brooke Williams McGuire, owner and head chef for 1857 Magnolia Place

1857 Magnolia Place hosted a local dining experience, “Taste of Italy,” offering a great atmosphere and authentic Italian dishes. This event featured homemade pasta, fresh baked bread, and a variety of handmade sauces all locally grown and harvested in or around Tishomingo County.

“We are thankful for the people who attended, the people who helped make this possible, and the kindness of the community,” said Brooke Williams McGuire, owner and head chef for 1857 Magnolia Place.

1857 Magnolia Place is a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on sourcing ingredients from local farmers and producers, bringing them to life in the kitchen. Hosting events such as their first one, “Iuka Day,” and recent event, “Taste of Italy,” allows them to bring a unique, high quality dining experience to their hometown, giving the community something special without having to travel.

The event “Taste of Italy'' took place on Saturday, July 20th at the Iuka Country Club. Several members of the community and out of town visitors celebrated the evening with the Italian cuisine, but with a touch of southern charm.

“Our purpose for this event was to showcase the diverse culinary skills we possess and to offer our guests a taste of something special that combines the best of both worlds,” said Brooke.

Where did the idea conspire for Italy to be brought to Iuka you may wonder. After hosting their first event, “Iuka Day,” 1857 Magnolia Place decided to ask their social media following what they thought Iuka was missing. Italian food was the response, leading to the planning of the event “Taste of Italy.”

“Personally, vodka sauce is my favorite – I make it at home once a week. And who doesn’t love Fettuccine Alfredo,” said Brooke as she prepared for the evening.

The evening began with a cocktail hour featuring an amaretto sour and bourbon sour, selections from Tara Wadkins at 3rd Base Liquor and Wine. The authentic Italian inspired menu started off with three appetizers: A traditional Eggplant Parmigiana, Brodetto de Pesce, and Insalata. Heading into the main courses for the evening were three entrees that had a unique Iuka twist: Tagliatelle Bolognese, Fettuccine al Burro, and Pasta alla Vodka. Wrapping everything up was a homemade hazelnut gelato, putting a southern spin on homemade ice cream – which is a summer staple here in the south. Each dish had a sample wine pairing, selected by Tara Wadkins at 3rd Base Liquor and Wine.

“Sourcing locally is a priority for us, but it comes with its challenges,” said Brooke. The team sourced ingredients from the following producers for “Taste of Italy.” Trish Lambert with eggs, bread from Kreecher’s Kreations and Jennifer Webb, Scott and Beth Woodruff for tomatoes, and the Amish community and Hani Hanna for the remaining ingredients. Wine pairings and cocktail hour selections from Tara Wadkins at 3rd Base Liquor and Wine. “It’s a true testament to our commitment to supporting local farmers and producers, despite the difficulties,” said Brooke.

For their first event, they sourced ingredients from local farmers and producers as well including catfish from Ledbetter’s, eggs from Lauren Nunley, pecans from the 20th Century Club’s annual fundraiser, cornmeal from Jimmy Whitfield, and produce stands from Huntsville to Iuka for other fresh ingredients such as green tomatoes.

“We consider our first event, "Iuka Day," as our rough draft, full of trial and error. For "Taste of Italy," Josie and I have been in constant communication, meticulously planning every detail from product selection to dining room design and lighting,” said Brooke. Hosting the event at Iuka Country Club allowed the local dining restaurant to double their guest capacity and add new elements like a cocktail hour and wine pairings with pastas to elevate the experience. “Even though the evening did not go as planned due to unforeseen issues, we are committed to learning from this experience to ensure future events meet your expectations,” Brooke said after the event on Saturday evening.

“All in all, we are thankful for the people who attended the event. We are thankful for Tara Wadkins and 3rd Base Liquor and Wine for providing the cocktail hour and all wine pairings. We are thankful for Keith McNeely and Kevin Senter for coming to our rescue with cookers and burners,” said Brooke. “The support means the world to us. Your patience, grace, and kindness are deeply appreciated.”

“During the menu test at the Painted Lady, we couldn’t help but envision hosting an event there,” Brooke said. 1857 Magnolia Place wants to personally thank the Painted Lady and Tara Wadkins in Iuka for opening the home to them, allowing them to prepare the meal and brainstorm ideas for upcoming events. The team prepared 98% of the meal at the Painted Lady and had their menu tasting there as well. In the future, 1857 Magnolia Place plans to collaborate with the Painted Lady, that is something exciting to look forward to and be on the lookout on their social media.