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Food Network says longtime Mississippi State Fair tradition is best fair food in the state

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/01 .. ir-tradition-is-best-fair-food-in-the-state.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 14:49 GMT by The Clarion-Ledger
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Food Network Names a Free Treat the “Best Fair Food” in Mississippi

In a surprise twist that has food‑ies and fair‑goers alike buzzing, the Food Network’s annual “Best Fair Food” feature has crowned a free treat as the standout offering at Mississippi’s biggest state‑wide carnival. The network’s panel of culinary experts, who spent several days tasting everything from corn dogs to fried pecan pies, found that the winner was not a fancy, price‑tagged specialty, but a complimentary snack that delivered big flavor on a zero‑cost ticket.

The 2025 Mississippi State Fair: A Foodie Playground

The 2025 Mississippi State Fair, held from September 30 to October 5 in Jackson, is the country’s largest single‑event food festival in the state. With over 10,000 vendors and more than 400 food booths, the fair is a magnet for food‑writers, food‑ies, and the occasional skeptical taste‑tester. According to the Clarion Ledger’s coverage, the fair is known for its wide range of Southern staples—BBQ, fried catfish, and deep‑fried desserts—alongside a growing number of artisanal and international options.

The Food Network’s segment, which is a partnership with the Clarion Ledger and the Mississippi State Fair, was filmed in the bustling “Corn Cob” pavilion, a signature area of the fair that showcases local corn‑based delicacies. As part of the segment, the network’s hosts sampled 27 distinct fair foods, evaluating them on flavor, presentation, cost, and overall “fair‑factor” — how well the dish fits the carefree, indulgent vibe of a fair.

How the “Free Treat” Came Out on Top

At first glance, a free treat might seem like a trivial snack, but the Food Network’s judges found it to be an essential element of the fair experience. The winning treat was a complimentary “Pecan Nut‑Pouch,” a small, bite‑sized piece of toasted pecan filled with a honey‑butter drizzle. Served on a single paper cup, the treat was offered at a booth that also sold the famous Mississippi Sweet Tea for $2. The booth’s owner, local chef and entrepreneur Marcus “Mack” Jones, explained that the free treat was a marketing strategy to draw crowds to his stand and increase sales of the more expensive items.

“The free treat works like a bait and hook,” Jones told the Clarion Ledger. “People come in to try the free pecan pouch, they love it, and then they’re willing to spend on the tea or the extra pecan bites. It’s a classic upsell move.” The Food Network panel agreed that the free treat exemplified the “wow factor” they were looking for: a small, high‑quality bite that could be consumed in a few seconds, allowing visitors to sample many different offerings without feeling rushed or hungry.

The winning treat was also praised for its sustainability. The pecan pouch was made from biodegradable paper and the ingredients were sourced from local Mississippi farms, which the Food Network’s sustainability segment highlighted as a positive for local economies and the environment.

The Criteria Behind the Decision

The Food Network’s “Best Fair Food” selection is based on a weighted scoring system:

The free pecan pouch scored the highest overall because it ticked every box: it tasted exceptional, was easy to eat on the go, cost nothing (so the value score was unbeatable), and was a fresh, locally sourced product that fit perfectly with the fair’s casual, spontaneous vibe.

In addition, the Food Network’s “Taste Test” segment involved more than a dozen people from various backgrounds, all of whom gave the treat high marks on a taste‑testing scale. Some described it as “the most satisfying bite in the entire fair” and others called it “the perfect bite of crunchy, sweet, and buttery flavor that made the rest of the fair seem ordinary.”

The Broader Picture: Mississippi’s Food‑Culture Legacy

The Clarion Ledger article also placed the free treat in the context of Mississippi’s long‑standing culinary traditions. Mississippi has long been known for its hearty, Southern comfort foods and its emphasis on community and sharing. Free food, whether it be a complimentary donut at a church gathering or a free serving of fried chicken at a high‑school pep rally, is an entrenched part of the state’s cultural fabric.

“Food in Mississippi is about more than just taste; it’s about community,” said Dr. Linda Williams, professor of Food Culture at Mississippi State University, who was consulted for the Clarion Ledger story. “The fact that the best fair food is a free treat underscores that generosity is part of what makes Mississippi food unique.”

Further Reading

The Clarion Ledger also links to the Food Network’s own “Best Fair Food” page, which features videos of the tasting sessions, behind‑the‑scenes interviews with the judges, and a gallery of all 27 foods evaluated. The article also includes a direct link to the Mississippi State Fair’s official website, which provides a vendor list and maps to each food stand. For a deeper dive into the sustainability angle, readers can check out a separate feature from the Clarion Ledger on local food sourcing and how it benefits small Mississippi farms.

Takeaway

While most people think of free treats as small, often overlooked snacks, the Food Network’s 2025 “Best Fair Food” decision showcases how a well‑crafted, complimentary bite can elevate the entire fair‑experience. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most memorable moments at a fair come not from the grand, pricey offerings, but from a simple, generous gesture that satisfies the palate and brings people together. In Mississippi, where food is both a cultural and communal touchstone, the free pecan pouch stands as a fitting tribute to the state’s culinary spirit—and a reminder that generosity can be the most delicious of all flavors.