Our Mission

Food plays an integral role in our Arkansas history and heritage. The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame facilitates storytelling around the food traditions, tastes, and talent that give our state its unique food culture and customs.

The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame gives Arkansans the opportunity to nominate their favorite restaurants in several categories that highlight the different ways food makes an impact in our community.

Each year the following categories are opened for nominations:

• Arkansas Food Hall of Fame – recognizing long-standing restaurants that help create our food culture
• Restauranteur of the Year – honoring a chef, cook and/or restaurant owner with significant impact on our local food tastes and preferences
• Food-Themed Event – honoring a community food-themed event or festival that preserves a community’s unique food history
• Gone But Not Forgotten – remembering past establishments that set the table for our food tastes and preferences today
• People’s Choice – restaurants or food trucks, new or old, that keep our palettes whetted for more Arkansas flavors