Explore every episode of the podcast Savor The Ozarks

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson sits down with Colleen Smith, owner of Tea Bar and Bites, and Eleanor Taylor, owner of Prairie Pie, for a heartfelt conversation about big changes at this beloved local spot. After 21 years of serving up cozy vibes, delicious food, and over 70 types of tea, Colleen is passing the torch to Eleanor—who used to work at Tea Bar as a teenager! Hear the inspiring story of how Colleen built the restaurant from 8 seats and a dream, and what this transition means for the community. Eleanor shares her plans to honor Tea Bar’s traditions while adding her own touches when she takes over on January 1st. Whether you’re a longtime fan or curious about this exciting new chapter, this episode is full of nostalgia, local love, and a peek into the future of a Springfield favorite!

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In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy chats with Sam Hedrick, the Director of Food and Beverage at Silver Dollar City, who’s been serving up unforgettable food experiences at the park for 33 years! Starting as a 14-year-old busboy, Sam shares his journey to leading the culinary scene at one of the Ozarks’ most iconic attractions. From their famous giant skillets (serving up to 10,000 portions a day!) to creative festival favorites like the cashew chicken cone, get the inside scoop on how Silver Dollar City balances Ozark tradition with bold food innovations. Plus, hear about the park’s exciting new expansion plans, including a brand-new resort, and the Herschend family’s continued legacy. If you love food, fun, and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is a must-listen!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Laine Scholz, owner of Springfield’s beloved Garbo's Pizzeria. Laine shares her journey of growing up in the family restaurant, to now leading it into its next chapter. Hear about their signature St. Louis-style pizza, famous house-made dressing, and Laine’s sweet addition: baked cakes! She also opens up about her passion for empowering her team, giving back to the community, and the ups and downs of running a family-owned business. It’s a slice of inspiration you won’t want to miss!

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In this special episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy Robertson dives into all things Thanksgiving with Jeffrey Bates of 417 Good Eat'N and Billy Dove, the 417 Foodist. They chat about must-have dishes (dressing or mac and cheese, anyone?), holiday cooking mishaps, and their takes on Thanksgiving classics. Get inspired by unique recipe twists, fun appetizer ideas, and even a debate on cranberry sauce! Plus, they share their favorite holiday cocktails, desserts, and creative ways to tackle leftovers. What are your Thanksgiving must-haves? Have any memorable recipes or holiday fails? Join the conversation by emailing Joy at joy@aroundtheozarks.com, and let’s savor the season together!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Chaz Koeppen and Matt Gann, the heart and soul behind Cafe B-29 in Ozark, where they’re serving up more than just amazing food—they’re honoring heroes. With Veteran’s Day around the corner, Chaz and Matt share the incredible story of how their WWII veteran grandfathers inspired them to open a cafe that celebrates the American spirit. Get a taste of the cafe’s nostalgic, diner-style vibe, complete with military memorabilia donated by patrons, and hear all about their commitment to fresh, homemade meals (including their award-winning jalapeño popper burger!) They also dive into their community efforts and some memorable moments spent with veterans here in the Ozarks. Soak in all that and more, RIGHT HERE on Savor the Ozarks!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Landon and Stephanie Campbell, the new owners of Pappy's Place in Springfield, Missouri. Pappy's Place has been the longest-running restaurant in Springfield's history, starting in 1926 (although the name hasn't always been Pappy's!) The Campbells strive to maintain the fun traditions, like "Hacker Day", while also keeping things fresh by introducing great new menu items, like the Cuban and Reuban sandwiches. From live music events held in the courtyard, to its unique dollar bill ceiling, Pappy's Place is FAR from boring and full of rich Ozarks history. Learn more about a quaint little place that has a corner of Joy's heart, RIGHT HERE on Savor the Ozarks!

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In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Clif and Lauren Brown, owners of Neighbor's Mill Bakery & Cafe in Springfield, Missouri. Neighbor's Mill is a family-owned bakery/cafe specializing in handcrafted, all-natural breads, grilled and cold sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts and coffee/espresso drinks. The idea for Neighbor's Mill started in the mid '90s with Lauren's parents, Mike and Karin Nabors. They had a goal to produce made-from-scratch, handcrafted breads and pastries.

Mike and Karin wanted to make bread the “star of the show” on their cafe menu and create the atmosphere of a 100-year-old grist mill. They offer 25+ varieties of hand-crafted bread, and you'll never find any preservatives or artificial flavorings in them. If you're anywhere in the Ozarks, they bet you can find a grocery store, health food store or restaurant near you that's serving their bread. Listen in on their amazing journey to becoming a beloved Ozarks staple RIGHT HERE on Savor the Ozarks!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Pat Duran, the owner of Metropolitan Grill in Springfield, Missouri. Pat's passion for cooking was sparked by watching his mother cook for their large family (He's one of TWELVE). In 2005, Pat took over Metropolitan Grill and has crafted a very eclectic menu, featuring steaks, seafood, pasta, and unique dishes inspired by customers whose names are penned on the menu. Pat shares his love for the vibrant restaurant scene in the Ozarks and his philosophy of creating memorable experiences for customers. Hear more about this Springfield spot where it feels like everyone TRULY knows your name, RIGHT HERE on Savor the Ozarks!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Eleanor Taylor, founder of Prairie Pie. Prairie Pie is a sweet and savory pie company located in downtown Springfield, Missouri that offers unique, handmade sweet pies and pot pies. Eleanor began her baking career here in the Midwest in her grandmother’s kitchen, baking and decorating hundreds of Christmas cookies. Since the age of 16 she has been creating custom desserts for bakeries in Springfield and New York City. To hear more about Eleanor and her journey of being a baker and business woman, listen in RIGHT HERE on this episode of Savor the Ozarks!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Lyle Foster, the fun-loving owner of Big Momma's Coffee and Espresso Bar. What started as Lyle coming to Springfield to watch his daughter play in a college basketball game in 2004, led to him exploring Historic Commercial Street and falling in love with it. He took an old condemned building and turned it into the beloved coffee bar we know and love today. From sandwiches, scratch-made pastries, muffins and scones, to just a simply amazing cup of coffee, Big Momma's has it all. Get the inside scoop on this bright staple of Historic Commercial Street, RIGHT HERE on Savor the Ozarks!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Andy Hampshire, owner of JW's Kitchen! Andy was born and raised in Middlewich, England, and came to the Ozarks in 1999 for an internship at Big Cedar. Eventually, Andy and his wife took over the Ozarks favorite, Farmer's Gastropub. The brunch that they put on at Farmers Gastropub was so successful, that they decided to open a whole new restaurant around it! JW's Kitchen menu is a hybrid of the best American and English breakfast dishes, alongside some interesting new ones that are all created with local ingredients. Listen in on the heartfelt story of how JW's came to be and all they have to offer RIGHT HERE on Savor the Ozarks!

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On this week's episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Jimm Swafford, owner of Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub. Jimm has always been in the food industry at some capacity, and when theopportunity came to have a steakhouse of his own, he seized it! Voted one of 417's finest restaurants, Jimm's Steakhouse and Pub offers the finest foods you would expect from a prestigious Award-Winning Steakhouse. Hear more about Jimm, his story, and those legendary doors NOW on Savor the Ozarks!

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On this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy sits down with Split Social Kitchen co-founder, Kristen Brunelle, to talk all about the fun and intriguing ways they approach food and drink at Split. With a passion for food and a good time, their mission each day is to give every guest an experience they can feel good about. Their menu is innovative and fresh with a casual feel, not to mention, thefun names of the dishes. Split has developed a devoted fan base here in the Ozarks, and if you're not careful, you may get a dish named after you! There's plenty of great food and fun atmosphere to go around at Split Social Kitchen.

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Listen in on Joy's final conversation at the National Restaurant Show with a very intriguing guest. Joy's old friend Guy Mitchell has quite the resume, and the stories to accompany it.

Chef Guy Mitchell has served as Executive Chef for the Philadelphia Eagles, all of the "Rocky" Hollywood film sets and has hosted the famous QVC television show as well as the The Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. Chef Guy Mitchell cooked for the Academy Awards and while working in New York, has served as Executive Chef for David Rockefeller in his distinguished Montauk Yacht Club on Star Island. He also worked with Chef Ron Duprat at the James Beard Foundation in New York City. He has also produced a Stellar Cruise Ship style brunch on various occasions.

Through Guy's arising accomplishments, he has had the unique pleasure of working closely with the White House to host special engagements with the Presidents' chefs. He has also had the great pleasure of working with such famous chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Morimoto, Bobby Flay, Paula Dean and Guy Fieri, all from the Food Network.

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Join Joy at the National Restaurant Show with a fun new guest. Tony Abou-Ganim, aka The Modern Mixologist, is celebrated as one of the foremost bar professionals globally, currently lending his expertise to Royal Caribbean Cruise lines as a beverage consultant, focusing on innovative drink programs for their newest ships.

Renowned for his pioneering contributions, Tony has appeared on numerous national TV programs such as TODAY, Iron Chef America, Good Morning America, CNBC, and Fox News. He is also a three-time champion of Iron Chef America, showcasing his expertise in pairing cocktails with top culinary talents like Iron Chef Mario Batali, Iron Chef Jose Garces, and challenger Chef Shawn McClain.

He has also authored books and has his own line of bar tools. His full resume will astound you. Joy always enjoys the opportunity to catch up with this amazing talent!

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In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy continues her conversations at the National Restaurant Show with two businesses that represented Missouri at the Taste of the States exhibit. 

First, meet the owner of 1820, The Family Restaurant in Keytesville, Missouri, Nathan Asbury. What caught Joy's eye in their exhibit was the 1820 Sauce. The restaurant came first, but Nathan and his wife, Michelle, started bottling and selling their homemade sauce that they feature in the restaurant. It's a true Cinderella story.

Then, meet Johnny Hunter of Castor River Habitat & Farm in Dexter, Missouri. He specializes in regenerative agriculture. His family grows, harvests, mills, and packages the rice that is sold nationwide. His award-winning farming methods lower carbon emissions and elevate the quality and taste of Castor River Farms rice. But at the end of the day, they are still a small-town farm with small-town values you can trust here in the Ozarks.

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The National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago is the largest gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western hemisphere, with more resources, information and connection opportunities than any other industry event. The event averages over 2,200 exhibitors with over 900 categories of products.

In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy talks with Lisa Malikow, the Senior VP of Event Operations and Programming for the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show. Join Joy as she learns more about the show and it's history, relevance, and why what happens at the NRA show will very likely affect the food you eat out and at home here in the Ozarks.

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Hold Fast Brewing is a brick-and-mortar representation of all the principles important to the McLeod Family. What started out as a passion for beer and home brewing has blossomed into a successful family business celebrating delicious craft beer, the vibrant Springfield, Missouri community, and the memory of a father. It is a place of community, friendship, family, creativity, and love. It is a welcoming place to all. It is a place where everyone who walks in the doors is reminded to “hold fast,” and to do it with love.

Listen in as Joy Robertson sits down with one of the owners, Carol McLeod, to talk about the loss of her and Susan's dad and how it led them to opening this amazing brewery with zero experience in an old fire station.

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Nearly Famous Deli & Pasta house is proud to be the same friendly neighborhood establishment you've known since 1976. Nearly Famous remains a Springfield institution, the place where everyone knows your name and everything is prepared with love.

Joy Robertson speaks with Nancy Miller, owner of Nearly Famous Deli and Pasta House. Joy and Nancy chat about how Nancy bought Nearly Famous Deli and Pasta House, Nancy's restaurant experience, the original location vs. the current location, the atmosphere of the restaurant, the different kinds of comfort food offered, the legacy of the restaurant, and much more.

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Van Gogh's Eeterie is a bit of The Netherlands in Springfield, MO. A contemporary take on a traditional Dutch Pancake House.

Joy Robertson speaks with Joseph Gidman, owner of Van Gogh's Eeterie, Chabom Teas & Spices, and Café Cusco. Joy and Joe chat about Joe's experience in Europe including his education background and passions from traveling, the inspiration behind Van Gogh's Eeterie, American vs Dutch pancakes, the importance of educating and introducing people to international food, hallmarks of Dutch cuisine, the experience, authenticity, and personal touches at Van Gogh's Eeterie, and much more.

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Thunder Ridge Nature Arena is America’s most beautiful outdoor amphitheater, a one-of-a-kind immersive outdoor “musical postcard from Mother Nature." Located in Ridgedale, Missouri just a few miles from Branson, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena combines the natural beauty of the Ozarks with the stunningly beautiful architecture that seamlessly integrates into the surrounding environment.

Joy Robertson speaks with David F. Wright, Executive Chef at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena. Joy and David chat about how the menu at Nature Arena is based off of the Ozarks, elevating the food from the typical experience, local sustainability, the variety at concessions offered, insider tips for concert goers, upcoming events, what makes Thunder Ridge Nature Arena one-of-a-kind, and much more.

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London Calling Gourmet Pasty Company is a British restaurant and food truck company that offers gourmet British comfort food. Their emphasis is on the handheld pot pie known as the Cornish Pasty and on British Fish and Chips but offer lots of other iconic British food from Shepherd's Pies to Sausage Rolls. 

Joy Robertson speaks with Carrie Mitchell and Neil Gomme, co-owners of London Calling Gourmet Pasty Company. Joy chats with Carrie and Neil about their backgrounds, the journey of how London Calling began, what a pasty is, the different pasty flavors and food London Calling offers, the multiple locations to find London Calling Gourmet Pasty Company, upcoming exciting news, and much more.

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