A native of McComb, Mississippi, Chef Austin Sumrall has harbored a lifelong love of cooking. His talent has earned him recognition as a James Beard Award semifinalist, considered the Oscars of food awards. He also holds the title “King of American Seafood” after his victory in the August 2021 Great American Seafood Cookoff, held in New Orleans.
Alongside his wife, Tresse, Sumrall owns and operates White Pillars restaurant and Lounge in Biloxi. Acclaimed by critics and foodies from near and far, White Pillars is known for its seasonal, locally sourced farm-to-table fare. It’s elegant bar, the WP Lounge, serves craft cocktails and small bites.
Although the menu frequently features crowd pleasers like oysters 3-way, the bone marrow and steak burger and the smoked and fried chicken, Sumrall says, “We’re not sure that we have a ‘most popular dish.’”
“We change our menu often and with the seasons,” he adds. “I think people are excited to try something new when they come to White Pillars.”
Sumrall says he’s proud the restaurant showcases some of Mississippi’s finest artisans and farmers, noting that White Pillars tries to source as many products locally as possible.
“We also take great care to prepare as much as we can ourselves,” he says. “Not only do we bake our own breads, churn our own ice cream and cure our own meats, but we even make our own ketchup from whole tomatoes and hot sauce from whole peppers.”
Even the restaurant’s dishes and tables are special, each piece having been handcrafted and custom-made for the restaurant, while unique pieces by Mississippi artists even adorn the walls. The goal for Sumrall and his team is to imbue every detail of a White Pillars dining experience with meaning and sentimentality.
“We pride ourselves on celebrating not only the exquisite products available to us, but also the farmers, fisherman, and artists that dedicate their lives to their products,” he says. “We feel as though our thoughtful sourcing and approach to food sets us apart.”
White Pillars is open Wednesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., (lunch stops from 2-5:30 p.m.), Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and is closed Monday-Tuesday. Every third Sunday, the restaurant has its increasingly popular drag brunch.
To learn more about the restaurant and stay up to date on its offerings, visit biloxiwhitepillars.com.
“We’ve always got new and exciting dishes at White Pillars,” Sumrall says. “You’ll have to come by to see!”