Launched in 2016 by the Division of Arkansas Heritage, the program celebrates Arkansas' unique culinary heritage by recognizing its best restaurants, proprietors and food-themed events.
“This year’s finalists embody the flavors, traditions and stories that define Arkansas,” said Marty Ryall, director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage. “As we celebrate these restaurants, we honor not only the dishes they create but the communities they feed and the legacies they preserve.”
Award finalists were announced at an event on May 13, 2024 hosted by the Division of Arkansas Heritage. Ryall was accompanied by Shea Lewis, secretary for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, and members of the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame Committee.
“Food is such a defining feature of Arkansas, having the potential to tell stories with just one bite,” Lewis said. “Our finalists are perfect examples of this, and we’re honored to recognize their impact on the state’s dynamic food culture.”
A complete list of finalists is available through the Division of Arkansas Heritage.