Delta Supper Club: Stewart Robinson

     Supper. Supper punctuates our days as southerners. Supper is that stretch of precious time we spend united together around a table at the end of a day that's left us tired as dogs. Stewart Robinson is showing the rest of the world the true meaning of supper through his nonprofit organization, The Delta Supper Club. Gathered around his table are people from across the country who are passionate about food, eager for a story, and ultimately blown away by the unforgettable experience Stewart and his team deliver.

     Stewart is undeniably a southern man. Despite time spent in Alabama, he has always called Mississippi his home. "My entire family is from Jackson. I moved around a good bit when I was young but Jackson was always the hub for all things family," says Stewart. His childhood was colored by his grandfather's stories of the mighty Mississippi Delta. This early curiosity has now blossomed into a full blown passion for the area. Currently, Stewart and his family live in Cleveland. "I always knew I wanted to get down to the Delta, that's where my heart is. It took my wife, Abbie, a bit longer, but she has found a heart for this wonderful place too!" laughs Stewart. Stewart's love for cooking is fueled by the experience of trying new foods, reading recipes, and learning from his peers in the culinary industry. His love for cooking and passion for sharing the wonder of the Delta converged into an idea that eventually became the very first of many meetings of the Delta Supper Club.
     Stewart had a vision for that very first event. "I really wanted to tell the story of the Delta. Every venue where we chose to have an event is unique and has so much character. Luckily, there is no shortage of those places in the Delta. The setting is only part of the story, the other facet of the experience comes from the chef we bring in for each event. As much as I wanted the guests to experience the cooking of a chef they'd never dined with before, I wanted the chef to fully utilize what the Delta has to offer. I want these chefs to tell their own story, but with help from the wonderful products and ingredients we have right here in the Delta. Our goal at every event is to share the uniqueness of this area. Everyone has seen the mountains, everyone has seen the beach, but few have truly experienced the magic of the Delta."

     Not only do Delta Supper Club members get to indulge in delicious courses and cocktails prepared by some of the best chefs in the country at events, they also get a true taste of the local culture. "I try to promote tourism as much as I possibly can. We want people that are coming in from across the country to have a fantastic time with us on Friday then go eat somewhere local on Saturday. I want our guests to immerse themselves in the unique culture of the Delta. I encourage people to go out and hear a real blues musician play while they still can," smiles Stewart.
     Mirroring the atmosphere of the Delta towns the events are held in, the Delta Supper Club experience is one that is defined by engagement and community. "We serve every dish we can family style. Guests do not know what is going to be on the menu before the event, nor do they know who they will be seated next to. We wanted to get back to the true meaning of a supper club, it's all about putting down the cell phones, helping the person across the table from you by passing a dish their way or engaging with someone you never would have otherwise," says Stewart.

     A portion of the Delta Supper Club membership dues go to the non profit organization's culinary scholarship fund. The scholarship has allowed aspiring culinary professionals from Mississippi to experience working in some of the best kitchens in the country in cities such as Chicago and New Orleans.
     "Time flows differently in the Delta. Things get weird in a magical, good way. Nothing happens fast around here. To be able to see past the sad and the ugly, one has to slow down. You have to slow down, roll down the window and enjoy the sight of crops as far as the eye can see. If you're willing to take the time, there is no place that is more beautiful and more full of potential than the Delta," smiles Stewart.
     The Delta Supper Club is just one of the ways you can take the time to truly experience life in our great state. Next time you find yourself at the table for supper surrounded by your loved ones, follow Stewart's advice: slow down and be thankful for the neverending beauty in life.
    For more information on Stewart Robinson and The Delta Supper Club, please visit their website deltasupperclub.com

Written by Caroline Jaques // Photography by Abe Draper Photography