There is no doubt that the visual component of dining can have a big impact on what we think about the food that is presented to us. Some experts tell us its influence can be as high as 50 percent of the process of forming an opinion.

Take a step back in time and enjoy a Victorian Christmas in Hattiesburg, Dec. 14 to 15. Partnering with Visit Mississippi, the Historic Hattiesburg Neighborhood welcomes everyone to enjoy an elegant Christmas of years past at the 43rd Annual Victorian Candlelit Christmas. The Hub City will light up as the city takes part in the Downtown Candlelit Christmas, and there is sure to be something for everyone in the family to enjoy this weekend full of activities.

A local C1 competitive club team, the South Mississippi Soccer Club 04 Elite Diamonds, represented the State of Mississippi at the National State Games of America held in Lynchburg, Virginia, and brought home the gold.

Chef Sean Brock likes to talk about Southern micro food cultures. To those that are less informed, Southern cooking has a specific meaning, as if the South was a single culture, with common and shared foodways.