6 culinary experiences in the authentic U.S. South

The culture and traditions of the U.S. South are reflected in the food. The authentic Southern experience will fill your clients' bellies, even if they don't eat barbecue or seafood.

From food tours and trails to farmers' markets and award-winning restaurants, here are six things to do in the South.

Kentucky

Most of the famous alcoholic spirit is produced in the south of Kentucky. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a great place to get a taste of Kentucky's famous whiskey.

The journey begins in Louisville at the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the Frazier Museum. Kentucky Bourbon is defined by 18 distilleries that make it. You can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery. When you return to Kentucky, you can get a Bourbon Trail Passport and Field Guide stamped with your name on it.

In Kentucky, restaurants serve up a bounty of home-style favorites celebrating the cherished ingredients, recipes, and flavours of the bluegrass. Kentucky has a signature meat stew and a famous hot brown. Fried fish and fried chicken are some of the dishes you will find. Over 85% of the world's Bourbon is made in Kentucky, and visitors have the chance to tour, taste, and experience the product. You can cook gourmet and casual for days on the distillery grounds. Mike Mangeot is the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism.

Louisiana

The sights, sounds, and tastes of Cajun culture can be experienced at Louisiana's Cajun Bayou. Cajun culture can be found just 45 minutes south of New Orleans.

One of the most unique cuisines in the South is the Cajun Bayou Food Trail. There are 22 restaurants along the 100 mile stretch of the bayou. Homey diners, roadside fast-food joints, bars and cafés are some of the places you can enjoy a meal.

You can feed your soul with our amazing music, culture and outdoors, but also with our amazing food in Louisiana. Fresh seafood from the waters of Louisiana is used in our Cajun, creole and soul food. We can show you the cultural influences of France, Spain, Germany, Africa, Italy and more in our dishes. Doug Bourgeois is the assistant secretary for Louisiana's Office of Tourism.

Mississippi

Travelers will find it easy to find ribs, chicken, pork, and brisket smoked to perfection in Mississippi, which has more award-winning pitmasters than any other state.

A trip to Cleveland, Mississippi is always incomplete without a stop at the Delta Meat Market.

Specialty meat, cheese, and artisan goods were the first items sold at Delta Meat Market. The humble grocery became a lunch counter as the venue gained both community and national renown.

Delta Meat Market has grown to serve breakfast and lunch at its new home in Cotton House Hotel, as well as full-service dinner seven days a week.

North Carolina

There is a debate going on about the different styles of barbecue in North Carolina. The Eastern style uses a pepper base and the whole pig. The Lexington style adds seasonings for dipping and only uses pork shoulder. Both are amazing.

The best barbecue in North Carolina can be found in Lexington.

You can take your clients to any of the many restaurants that serve pit-cooked barbecue. If you plan to go to the end of October, you can sample a lot of meticulously cooked meats at the festival.

South Carolina

Columbia has a weekly street stall event called the Soda City Market. Vendors who make or grow their own products are a part of the market. The Southeast of the state is where everything is produced. The market has over 400 unique vendors throughout the year.

South Carolina is home to a melting pot of cultures and the Soda City Market is an example.

Tennessee

Kentucky and Tennessee are both known for their whiskeys. When you visit the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, you can learn about the history of Tennessee as a leader of spirits distilling throughout the U.S.

You can see the craftmanship behind the popular Tennessee liquor through distillery visits.

You can get a free tour of the Jack Daniel Distillery, which is located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Old Dominick Distillery in Memphis is one of the unique boutique distilleries that can be found in Tennessee. There are so many things to sample.

Do you want to go to the South for yourself? Travel South USA is giving one lucky agent the chance to win a trip to the South to experience it all in person. You can click here for more information.

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