MADIDI
CHOSEN FOR SPECIAL BROADCAST ON FOOD NETWORK ‘Celebrity Tables’
segment set in Clarksdale
BY Rebecca Hood-Adams
the clarksdale press register - May 29, 2002
Celebrity cuisine can spell the sweet
taste of success in the food industry.
Although every new restaurant faces what Madidi co-owner Bill
Luckett calls “an up-hill battle,” the Food Network
says that when a celebrity pulls up a chair, the table will
more likely be full.
With co-owner Morgan Freeman a frequent diner at the Clarksdale
restaurant, Madidi is in a unique position to attract attention
from “foodies” around the world.
“But it’s not just the name that draws customers,”
says Jill Cordes co-host of The Best Of show, one of the most
popular programs on America’s top rated cooking channel.
Cordes was in town over Memorial Day weekend taping segments
at Madidi, Ground Zero Blues Club and Hopson.
“The celebrity’s presence – especially when
it’s someone who’s passionate about the place
like Morgan Freeman – is important.”
Cordes says it’s a plus that Freeman “doesn’t
just have his name on it, but has made Madidi his second home.”
“Both owners seem to really love to interact with the
customers. That adds so much to the charm, the warmth, the
ambience of the place.”
Cordes should know. She’s tracking the country –
next stop, Alaska – filming segments for a special hour-long
broadcast of The Best Of which will focus solely on celebrity
tables. Other famous-fold restaurants to be included on the
program, which will air in the next six months, are owned
by county music queen Dolly Parton and comedic movie star
Bill Murray.
Dubbed “a little gem in the middle of the Mississippi
Delta,” Madidi earned special praise from Cordes for
its cuisine.
“The Madidi salad – the one with the smoked salmon
– is the best I’ve ever had,” she says.
“The chef does a great job. I can still taste that wonderful
Mississippi sweet corn. And oh – the lamb with the port
wine sauce...”
Her eyes close and her face beams as she lapses into blissful
memories of the tasty morsels.
“I just loved the lamb,” she sighs.
Jodi Langer, producer of The Best Of, says the beautiful art
work on the walls or Madidi is part of the whole pleasing
package.
“But what I liked best was the lick of pretension,”
says Langer, “It’s such a warm, inviting place.
Not a lot of frou-frou. Just really great food.”
And the chance to see movie stars like Morgan Freeman?
