A food and flavor expert with a heart for service, Chef James Cade has been creating meals worth celebrating for over 30 years. “For me, food is a love language,” Cade said. “It’s a way to show people we care.” After graduating from Hattiesburg High School and the University of Southern Mississippi, Cade began his culinary career with Morrison’s Food Group, where he worked as a manager. He then became Director of Food Services for Mississippi State University Athletics. When Cade returned home to Southern Oaks, he knew he was going to be part of something special. “Ever since I joined my family here at Southern Oaks, I’ve known that we were creating memorable celebrations that last a lifetime,” Cade said, “A good meal may only last a moment, but people always remember the fellowship and fun they had around our food.” Cade’s inventive menu offerings include Southern Oaks’s famous Chicken Salad Wonton Tacos, Shrimp and Grits Martini Bar, Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders, and hundreds of other original, delicious options. For Cade, every celebration—however grand or intimate—calls for exceptional food. “At Southern Oaks, we aren’t just feeding people. The food we serve gives them something to celebrate.”