Spring 2025 Showcase Holcombe

Exploring Southern Food in Oxford, Mississippi
Breanna Holcombe

For my final project, I will be using photos and audio to explore the role of local chefs and restaurants in Oxford, Mississippi, and how they preserve and innovate Southern cuisine. The project will focus on how these restaurants are not just places to eat, but important community spaces where people gather, share stories, and experience the heart of Southern culture. By interviewing chefs, kitchen staff, and customers, I’ll show the personal side of food and highlight the labor that goes into every meal.

The experience I want my audience to have is a deeper connection to Oxford’s food culture. I want them to feel like they’re stepping into the kitchens and restaurants, hearing the sizzle of food, and getting to know the people behind the dishes. The style of the piece will be observational, capturing moments of everyday life in the restaurant setting, from food preparation to interactions between workers and customers. Through the photos and audio, I hope to create a sense of intimacy and allow the audience to feel like they’re part of the experience, rather than just watching from a distance.

Some of the questions I hope to address include:
– How do local chefs keep Southern food traditions alive while also adapting to modern tastes?
– What role do restaurants play in bringing people together in Oxford, and how does the food reflect the city’s unique culture?
– How do chefs and kitchen staff view their work, and what is their connection to the food they prepare?
-What does it take to run a restaurant in a small town, and how do these businesses impact the local economy and community?

Through this project, I want to show how food is much more than just something we eat it’s a way of connecting to people, to tradition, and to a place. My goal is for the audience to walk away with a new appreciation for the hard work and creativity behind every meal and understand how food plays a key role in the identity of Oxford.

My name is Breanna Holcombe, and I’m currently a junior at Ole Miss, majoring in Southern Studies. I chose this path because I’ve always been fascinated by the South and wanted to gain a deeper understanding of its culture, history, and traditions. The South has a rich and complex narrative, and studying it allows me to explore various aspects, from its music and literature to its social and political dynamics. I believe that by learning about the South, I can contribute to conversations about identity and heritage in meaningful ways.
At 21 years old, I’m excited to continue my journey at Ole Miss and immerse myself in the diverse experiences that come with studying this unique region. I look forward to engaging with my peers and professors, sharing insights, and discovering new perspectives that shape our understanding of the South.