As of July 1, cornbread and Brunswick stew are the officially sanctioned dishes of Georgia. House Bill 233 made it so, according to 11Alive in Atlanta.
But it’s not like this is anything new. Ask Southerners where Brunswick stew originated, and many will say Georgia—except for those who argue it’s from Brunswick County, Virginia. But according to officials in the coastal town of Brunswick, they have the better claim.
Brunswick, Georgia also gets props for having a monument to the kettle in which this Southern dish was supposedly first cooked. You can find the rusty pot in a town park chained to the top of a concrete pedestal. The marker states: “In this pot the first Brunswick stew was made on St. Simon Isle July 2, 1898.”
Brunswick stew can feature game meat, shredded chicken, or pulled pork. The stew usually has a tomato-and-barbecue-sauce base and includes a medley of vegetables and potatoes.
As for cornbread, it’s a Southern side that crosses all cultures and lands on every table. Georgians might even serve their cornbread with a bowl of Brunswick stew for sopping up the meaty juices.
“By officially recognizing staples like Brunswick stew, cornbread and National Sugarcane Syrup Day, we celebrate the traditions that connect our communities and define our Southern heritage,” says Georgia House Representative Rick Townsend, whose district includes Brunswick.
So the next time you’re cooking up a pot of Brunswick stew and a skillet of cornbread, just know you’re honoring the cultural heritage of Georgia.
