Kellie Walton

Charleston, Nashville

Editor-in-Chief at Modern South Magazine

Travel and Food Writer at Freelance

freelance travel & food writer 📝✈️

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Articles

Culinary Influences from Moms

1 week ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked some of Nashville’s most beloved chefs and restaurateurs to reflect on the women who shaped their culinary journey. Whether it was a grandmother’s ritual of slow-simmered mole, a mother’s insistence on cleanliness, or a family tradition of stirring the perfect roux, their stories speak to the power of matriarchal influence in the kitchen.
A Culinary Gem in Florence AL

1 week ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

Featured image: Dan Busey/TimesDailyFlorence, Alabama, a quaint college town in the northwest corner of the state, is exactly 1,951.6 miles from Hollywood. Known for its Blues music heritage and small-town charm, the eclectic city could not be further from the lights and cameras of La La Land. But, in a small bistro tucked away in the city’s historic downtown lies an unexpected piece of tinseltown.
Elote-Inspired Recipe

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

Featured image: Ivan LaraYes, corn in a cocktail—and yes, it works. Inspired by street elote, this margarita-meets-old fashioned mashup is rich with corn milk, layered with aged rum and rye, and finished with dried pineapple. At Adiõs, José Medina Camacho proves once again that boundary-pushing ingredients can still feel like comfort in a glass. Here’s how to make it at home.
You Don’t Need a Lottery Ticket to See the South’s Magical Synchronous Fireflies

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

Featured image: Louisa Simmons / Explore RidgelandImagine standing in the stillness of a mountain forest just after dusk—the air thick with the scent of pine. Save for the wind blowing through the leaves, it’s quiet and still, with plenty of hopeful anticipation in the air. Then, the darkness begins to flicker—first one tiny flash, then another, and suddenly the whole forest pulses with twinkling golden lights.
Why You Should Care Where Your Bourbon Comes From (Hint: It’s the Dirt)

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

We all know the South can grow just about anything—peaches, peanuts, pecans, and more—but bourbon? Turns out, it’s not just a Kentucky claim to fame. In Statesville, North Carolina, Southern Distilling Company is changing the spirits game: they aren’t just making great bourbon, they’re doing it with purpose. And that purpose starts in the dirt. Pete Barger, co-founder of Southern Distilling Company alongside his wife Vienna, has agriculture in his DNA.
Refreshing Recipe

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

Featured image: Ivan LaraThis one’s a classic for a reason. The Cantarito hails from Jalisco, Mexico—tequila country—and has long been a go-to for sunny afternoons and street-side celebrations. At Adiõs, José Medina Camacho keeps it traditional with tequila, citrus, and a splash of Squirt soda, making this fizzy favorite as easy-drinking as it is refreshing. Here’s how to make it at home.
Deviled Strawberries Are the Tea Room Treat You Didn’t Know You Needed

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

If there’s one thing the South knows how to do, it’s turn something simple into something special. Case in point? Deviled strawberries—an irresistible little bite that’s turning heads and taste buds at CW Organics, an herbal tea room tucked away in Ridgeland, Mississippi. At the heart of this charming spot is Caroline Warner, a lifelong herbalist whose path to tea and treats is Delta deep.
Al Pastor Margarita from Salud Taqueria

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

Featured image: Ginnard ArchibaldAt Salud Taqueria, bold flavors and playful presentation are the name of the game—and nowhere is that more evident than in the Al Pastor Margarita. Partner and beverage director José Medina Camacho layers smoky mezcal with pineapple-achiote syrup in a nod to the traditional taco al pastor. The result? A rich, balanced sip that brings the fire of the grill to your glass. Here’s how to make it at home.
May’s Mouthwatering Moments: Festivals and Events

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

May in the South is packed with flavor, fun, and festivals that bring communities together and visitors in droves. Whether you’re road-tripping for strawberries and soul food or heading to the beach for music and sunshine, this is the month to make memories across the region. Here’s where to go and what to catch. May 1, 2025 | Baton Rouge, LouisianaThis three-day festival celebrates Southern flavor with a judged soul food competition, featuring categories like entrees, sides, and desserts.
Discover the Adiós Margarita: A Unique Twist on Classic Flavor

2 weeks ago | modernsouth.co | Kellie Walton

Featured image: Ivan LaraA twist on a classic, the Adiós Margarita at Adiõs is everything we love about a margarita—bright, citrusy, and strong—with just a hint of the unexpected. Crafted by José Medina Camacho, this cocktail blends reposado tequila with a float of OFTD rum for a whisper of tropical funk. It’s the kind of drink that makes Happy Hour feel like a vacation. Here’s how to make it at home.

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