Sipp & Savor to Feature Book Talk + Signing with Two-Time Michelin-Recognized Chef Alon Shaya on April 11
Sipp & Savor to Feature Book Talk + Signing with Two-Time Michelin-Recognized Chef Alon Shaya on April 11
Lineup of live music by Mississippi musicians announced for food and drink festival
MERIDIAN, Miss. (March 26, 2026) – The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) is excited to announce a book talk and signing with Chef Alon Shaya, two-time Michelin-recognized chef and former Top Chef judge, during Sipp & Savor on Saturday, April 11.
Ticketholders are invited to hear the food and drink festival's headlining chef discuss his part-cookbook, part-memoir Shaya: An Odyssey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel upstairs at The MAX at 6:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now at sippandsavor.com or by visiting The MAX.
"We’re so excited to participate in this year’s Sipp & Savor alongside such an incredible lineup of chefs, brewers, and mixologists from all across the South," said Shaya. "It’s truly a privilege to headline an event that supports and uplifts the South's artistic and culinary legacy.”
That legacy includes Elvie’s and Pulito Osteria, both in Jackson, City Grocery in Oxford, and Vestige in Ocean Springs—Michelin-recognized restaurants that will present samples and tastings for festival attendees from across the Southeast alongside dozens of other chefs, master mixologists, and distillers.
Event organizers also announced a lineup of Mississippi musicians who will provide this year’s live entertainment. The Hattiesburg-based band 18 Miles will create a festive vibe with an opener by Mississippi Gulf Coast singer-songwriter Brandon Green. Meridian’s own Grayson Culpepper will entertain sponsors in the VIP lounge.
In keeping with Sipp & Savor’s support of The MAX’s mission and workforce development initiatives, culinary students from Mississippi colleges and universities are invited each year to work alongside award-winning chefs, gaining high-caliber hands on experience and mentorship opportunities. The mentorship will be particularly meaningful this year, as former culinary student volunteers will be returning to the festival as featured chefs, like Brennan Edmonds of By the Fig & Olive.
The sixth annual event attracts visitors from throughout Mississippi, along with Louisiana, Tennessee, and the wider Southeast.
For full event details, or to purchase tickets, visit www.sippandsavor.com. Visit www.msarts.org for the latest information about all upcoming events at The MAX.
Sipp & Savor is made possible thanks to our sponsors, including:
Signature Sponsor: Mitchell Distributing
Sapphire Sponsors: Coastal Television, Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and WTOK-TV
Diamond Sponsors: Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center, Nerves & Bones Inc., Structural Steel Services Inc., and Tito's Handmade Vodka
Platinum Sponsors: Hyundai, Toyota, Honda, and Chevrolet of Meridian, and Meridian Orthopedic Specialists
Gold Sponsors: Glass Inc., Magnolia Steel Co Inc., Waters International, and Yates Construction
To become an event sponsor, visit www.sippandsavor.com/sponsorship.