{"id":164419,"date":"2026-07-29T11:56:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=164419"},"modified":"2026-07-29T11:56:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:56:52","slug":"oxfords-culinary-scene-takes-center-stage-at-bit-of-the-sip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/oxfords-culinary-scene-takes-center-stage-at-bit-of-the-sip\/","title":{"rendered":"Oxford\u2019s Culinary Scene Takes Center Stage at Bit of the Sip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Suad Patton Bey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From sushi rolling and martini-making classes to Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and local craft beer, Oxford’s annual Bit of the Sip<\/strong> festival invites residents to experience the city’s growing culinary scene in a way that goes far beyond a traditional food festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madalyn Huey<\/strong>, Creative Director at the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council<\/strong>, says one of the reasons she enjoys working at the Powerhouse<\/strong> is that “no two days are the same.” She and her team have spent the last six months planning a long weekend filled with local cuisine, creative cocktails, and community engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We have events here year-round, so they all overlap,” Huey said. “Recently we had a big fundraiser in June. It was an Argentine-style grilled dinner, so we were planning that and this at the same time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning Bit of the Sip involves countless moving pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There is a lot of reaching out to event partners, bartenders, and working with liquor reps,” she said. “You start early asking, ‘What is this year going to look like?’ From the posters to looking at culinary trends we think Oxford might love.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huey believes Oxford’s food scene is continuing to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are in a period of growth right now,” she said. “It’s fun to loop in those new and emerging businesses, get them plugged into the community, and show them off.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also hopes attendees understand that Bit of the Sip offers something different from a traditional food festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“What you like is going to be different from what someone else likes. We want people to go into these spaces and experience what each chef has to offer.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huey hopes attendees will experience Oxford’s food scene in a variety of ways. In addition to restaurant events, visitors can participate in activities ranging from cheese & wine tasting and matcha & mat Pilates to a farm tour featuring dairy production and an ice cream-making class for families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festival will also feature Circle & Square Brewery<\/strong>, where attendees can enjoy a guided tasting while learning the story behind each brew. The tasting will take place Saturday, August 8 from 1\u20133 pm at the brewery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known as the “Cultural Mecca of the South,” Oxford has long been celebrated for its literary and artistic heritage. In recent years, its culinary scene has expanded alongside that reputation, with new restaurants joining longtime local favorites and creating a food culture that blends Southern traditions with international influences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Oxford is home to a growing number of restaurants, including a new Greek restaurant, artisan pizza and taco shops, and elevated Southern dining destinations such as Tallahatchie Gourmet<\/strong> and Snackbar<\/strong>. The latter will be featuring a Hawaiian\/Polynesian themed event called Sneaky Tiki for Bit of the Sip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Snackbar’s annual Sneaky Tiki pop-up has become one of the festival’s signature experiences, transforming the restaurant into a tropical-themed dining event. This will be held at Snackbar on Sunday, August 9 from 5\u20138 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re doing a couple of different small bites such as tuna poke with some fried plantain chips,\u201d says Sebastian Markowitz<\/strong>, chef de cuisine at Snackbar.  The New Jersey native moved to Oxford originally for school and joined the Snackbar family three years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just really found a passion and the cooking side of things. I’ve always loved the service part of the industry, translating my ideas and the things I grew up eating onto a plate,” says Markowitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kalua wonton cups are another of the dishes Markowitz is looking forward to serving. Kalua<\/em> pork is traditionally cooked underground, wrapped in leaves for several hours, creating its signature smoky flavor and tender texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey normally cook it underground; of course I’m not doing that, but there’s some methods that you can use to get that same sort of feeling and texture,\u201d added Markowitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modern-day chefs often navigate the line between cultural appreciation and appropriation. \u201cI just think it’s very important when you do things like this to highlight other cultures that you really respect the methods and processes that were invented,\u201d says Markowitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And a Hawaiian menu would not be complete without matching beverages. For Sneaky Tiki, Markowitz gears the food to complement the drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dozier said Markowitz develops the menu around the cocktail list. As the restaurant’s new bar manager, this year’s Sneaky Tiki will also be his first major festival event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparations for an event of this scale take months. Going from Snackbar\u2019s standard \u201cSouthern Brasserie\u201d menu to a tropical one is an interesting challenge for the staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is out of everybody’s league, but like I said, it gives us a great opportunity to learn, be familiar with a new culture that is something that we don’t play around with every day,\u201d says Markowitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the Arts Council, we are so privileged to do so many great things in the community from culinary arts to fine arts to performing arts,\u201d says Huey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Oxford’s culinary scene continues to grow, Bit of the Sip aims to celebrate not only the city’s restaurants but also the community that brings them together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual event ticket prices vary, and advance registration is recommended because many events have limited seating. Tickets and the full festival schedule are available at OxfordArts.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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