Bhatt, a Southern-French hybrid brasserie, had been nominated five previous times. Bhatt was the Mississippi’s only nominee. He beat out many well-known Southern chefs like Isaac Toups, of Toups’ Meatery in New Orleans, and Slade Rushing, of Brennan’s New Orleans. Bhatt is a native Indian and has been a chef in Oxford since 2000. He told Mississippi Today last year that he considers himself a Southern chef, as his style of cooking reflects where he is at the moment but also ties back to his Indian roots. My heritage and the places I grew up are a part of me. But this is my home and this is what it is. I am a Southern chef. I am from here. He said that he has spent more time here than any other place. Bhatt thanked John Currance, a Mississippi chef, in his acceptance speech. Currance’s City Grocery in Oxford was where he started his career. Snackbar is part of the City Grocery Group.