After meeting with two women from Colorado who claimed that there were no fine dining establishments in the South, Robert St. John’s emotions boiled over onto paper and he composed the essay “My South” in 15 minutes.

“My South” is a signature piece in the Robert St. John collection, which has gained widespread notoriety. St. John, a Hattiesburg resident and graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, is now widely recognized for his company, New South Restaurant Group. His original essays (syndicated in 19 regional newspapers), unique culinary gift items, and one-of-a-kind culinary creations at Purple Parrot Café, Mahogany Bar, and Crescent City Grill (in Hattiesburg and Meridian), have also added to his great success.

St. John first opened the Purple Parrot Café in Hattiesburg in 1987, at age 26. The New South Restaurant Group now employs about 150 people in Hattiesburg and about 80 people in Meridian.

In 2002, St. John used his culinary and creative talents to publish “A Southern Palate” which features watercolor illustrations by Mississippi artist, Wyatt Waters and essays on Southern ways of life and food by St. John. The book is a brilliant combination of all things Southern, with many people reading it for the essays as much as the recipes.

After great success with “A Southern Palate,” St. John released a new favorite, “Deep South Staples, or How to Survive in a Southern Kitchen Without a Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup.” This newest edition to the St. John repertoire as well as “A Southern Palate” can be found at the Hattiesburg Visitors Center at the intersection of Interstate 59 and Highway 49.