Rice, Pecans & Spirits! Arkansas Shines at the National Restaurant Show​

Joy is back at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, but this time she’s parked herself at the Taste of the States pavilion to spotlight the incredible family-run operations hailing from Arkansas! With nearly 18,000 square feet showcasing food from 21 states, this pavilion is a goldmine for discovering the passionate people behind the products that reach tables across the country.  Inside this episode: Della Rice: Joy sits down with Stephen Hilsdon to hear the inspiring story of how he and his wife purchased the rice mill where he worked to save the legacy and jobs of their small Brinkley community. Delta Dirt Distillery: Thomas Williams shares the amazing history of his family farm in Helena, which transitioned from sharecropping in the 1800s to a modern, award-winning distillery crafting spirits from—believe it or not—sweet potatoes. York Pecan Company: Meet the fifth generation of the York family as they break down the fascinating world of native pecans. Starnes York and Brittany Eshelman explain why the pecan is America’s only native tree nut and the intense, manual labor—yes, including climbing trees to pollinate by hand—that goes into every harvest. Whether you’re a foodie interested in where your ingredients come from or just love a good story of small-town resilience and innovation, this episode celebrates the families and farmers who are putting Arkansas on the culinary map! 😋🥜🌾See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.