I like to eat. I’m not much of a cook, but food is fun. Many of us plan out our day around mealtimes.

When people visit me, I think of all the eating establishments I want to take them to visit. When I visit friends and family, I want to eat at all the local places. I try to hit up the eating establishments unique to the city I am in at the time.

I try not to spend all my money eating out during the week.

Often I pull something together at home whether it’s a frozen pizza or chili from a can, and sometimes just plain ole cereal will suffice.

It’s really frustrating when the select food items I have in my pantry expire. What a waste! Throwing out half a loaf of bread, a cup of milk, half a bowl of fruit, a sleeve of Graham crackers, feels like I’m failing the food for not letting it rise to its potential.

I wish I cooked more. A beautiful crockpot sits on my counter that is just longing to be used. I just don’t have the time or energy to figure it out most of the time, but that might not be a good enough excuse anymore.

Fortunately for me, I don’ think I’m the only one who enjoys a meal. In the seven months I’ve been in Vicksburg, I have been aware of three separate planned cooking competitions.

In October there was the inaugural River City Barbecue Challenge, and Saturday the Chili for Children Cook-Off was held. Both of these competitions were held outside of Lady Luck Casino on a warm and clear Saturday and raised money that was put back into the community. I was lucky enough to cover both events for the paper, and many of the cooks made sure I tried their fare. Not a bad day at the office if I do say so myself.

This coming Saturday night will be Vicksburg’s Carnaval de Mardi Gras Gumbo Cook-Off outside of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. I’m excited about my first, what I consider “real,” foray into a Mardi Gras celebration.

Growing up in North Alabama, we didn’t really celebrate Mardi Gras. As far as I knew it was big in New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., and people threw beads at each other during parades. When I moved to Montgomery, I became more aware of the holiday with pancake dinners and king cake.

Now living as close to Louisiana as I ever have, I’m thinking I will get to experience an authentic Mardi Gras. Sampling gumbo and attending the local parade Saturday at 4 p.m. are only the beginning.

Fat Tuesday, Feb. 9, will be celebrated in at least two different local Episcopal churches with breakfast meals at dinnertime. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 900 First North St., will have their $6 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Christ Episcopal Church’s 122nd Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, $5 for children and $7 for adults, will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 1115 Main St.

Once all the feasting is over, I will need to decide what food will be removed from my diet for the Lenten season. It won’t be easy, but I think it will be worth it.