Lady May Tallow: Reviving the Art of Traditional Cooking
Amid the hustle of modern kitchens, the wisdom of our ancestors is often overlooked. But in downtown Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Lady May Tallow is championing a return to "the old ways," revolutionizing how we think about cooking fats.
Founded by longtime restaurant veterans Chris McDonald and Will Taylor, Lady May began as a passion project during the Covid shutdown. Inspired by memories of their grandmothers’ methods—pickling veggies, baking scratch biscuits, and creating everything by hand—they rediscovered beef tallow, a time-honored cooking fat. What started as a love for fried chicken blossomed into a mission to bring back tallow’s culinary legacy.
The Rise, Fall, and Resurgence of Tallow
Tallow, a rendered form of beef fat, has been beloved for centuries for its high smoke point, rich flavor, and nutrient density. However, the rise of industrialized seed oils pushed tallow aside in favor of processed alternatives. Only now are we uncovering the health risks tied to seed oils and remembering the benefits of natural fats.
Lady May Tallow is leading this revival, offering grass-fed beef tallow that’s as delicious as it is sustainable. The team’s ethos? Cooking the way "Granny & Nana" would—brining chicken, frying in tallow, and bringing simplicity and health back to the table.
Why Cook with Tallow?
Lady May Tallow is stable, with a high smoke point ideal for frying, roasting, and baking. Its buttery richness elevates any dish, from crisp potatoes to flaky pastries. And it’s not just tasty—it’s packed with vitamins A, D, E, and K, plus healthy fats like omega-3s. Better yet, tallow production is far more sustainable than energy-intensive, chemically-produced seed oils.
From Ocean Springs to Your Kitchen
Lady May’s small market couldn’t stock jars fast enough. Locals rallied behind the movement, eager to bring tallow back to their kitchens. Realizing demand had grown far beyond their storefront, the team partnered with regional farmers to expand production. Today, Lady May Tallow is available online, in local stores, and of course, at the Lady May Market.
Experience the Magic of Tallow
Using Lady May Tallow is simple, nostalgic, and endlessly rewarding. Whether searing vegetables, baking golden biscuits, or frying chicken, the results connect you to tradition while elevating your meals.
Bring the old ways into your kitchen, and with every scoop of tallow, honor the wisdom of past generations. Because sometimes, a step back is the best way forward.
Rediscover Cooking the Old Way with Lady May Tallow
In our fast-moving world, where convenience seems to outweigh everything else, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple, nourishing traditions handed down through generations. But nestled in the heart of Ocean Springs lies a little restaurant and market, The Lady May, where old-fashioned cooking meets modern-day curiosity. It's a place where beef tallow has quietly made its comeback, winning over hearts and taste buds alike.
“It all started with an empty building and a whole lot of time during Covid,” says co-owner Chris McDonald. “We found ourselves knee deep in buttermilk biscuits and pickle brine asking, “How would Nana have done this? What would she have cooked with? That question led the team back to the roots of their past, Taylor from North Mississippi and McDonald from New Orleans, to the time of homemade biscuits, pickled vegetables, scratch jams, and every Southern family’s table staple—fried chicken.
And if you’ve never had fried chicken made the old way—brined overnight, double-dredged in spiced flour, and fried golden in beef tallow—you’re in for a revelation.
Tallow Takes the Spotlight
Beef tallow isn't just any old fat—it’s a carefully rendered treasure of traditional kitchens. For centuries, it was the go-to choice for frying, searing, and even baking. Unlike today's industrialized seed oils, tallow can take the heat like a champ without breaking down into harmful compounds. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K. A fatty marvel? Absolutely.
“We didn’t know what we were onto at first,” says co-owner Will Taylor. “But once we started cooking with Tallow it was all over. People loved it—it’s like they missed it without even knowing it.”
The beauty of beef tallow lies in its versatility and sustainability. Whiskey-colored jars of whipped tallow now line the shelves at The Lady May’s market, sitting beside honey harvested from their own bee farm. “Nana would be proud, then she would say to get to work” laughs Chris.
Cooking the old way, the Lady May Way
Picture this. Crispy roasted potatoes, golden pies, pan-seared steaks—all kissed with the deep, buttery flavor of tallow. This isn’t just cooking; it’s connecting. Every dish tells a story, linking you to generations before you, to the way things were done before shortcuts and chemical-laden oils took over.
“It’s like tallow gives everything a soul,” says Will.
The Revival of "The Old Ways"
Lady May isn’t just about making food taste better. It’s about bringing back the wisdom of the past—the kind that cared about health, sustainability, and the joy of doing things right, even if it takes longer. From sourcing grass-fed beef from Mississippi farms to creating connections across the community, Lady May Tallow has become more than a food—it’s a movement.
The Lady May team isn’t stopping at Ocean Springs. Their jars of tallow are reaching homes statewide, sold online, in local grocers, and of course, at The Lady May Market itself. “We want everyone to fall in love with it the way we did, if not for cooking but for a moisturizer,” laughs Will, eyes alight. "But thats a whole other story!"
A Timeless Flavor for the Future
It’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about the future. When you cook with tallow, you’re not just making a meal—you’re part of something deeper. You’re choosing sustainable, wholesome ingredients over processed shortcuts. You’re connecting to the land, to your family, and to those who came before you.
Next time you’re reaching for the cooking oil, think about Grandma. Think about the buttery flavor of roasted veggies or the golden crunch of tallow-fried chicken that your neighbors in Ocean Springs can’t get enough of. Think about Lady May.
Whisk yourself back into the past, right in your own kitchen. And, as Chris says with a smile, “Always thank Nana for the fried chicken, biscuits and beef Tallow.”
You’ll find your jar of Lady May Tallow waiting for you—crafted with love, tradition, and just the right amount of whimsy. Visit our market or shop online to discover just how magical cooking the old way can be.