A Fork in the Road

In this episode, we visit Savannah Bee Company in Savannah, Georgia, for a tour of its honeys, mead bars, and conservation work. Founder Ted Dennard shares how a Peace Corps detour became a lifelong calling, why flower sources define honey, and how The Bee Cause Project puts observation hives and bee curricula in schools. You also meet the team teaching mead’s ancient roots and modern flavors.

Step into the Lake Rabun Hotel in Lakemont and feel the mountain craftsmanship at once, from cedar fretwork to a stone fireplace built by local hands. We visit owner and preservationist Gwen North, the restaurant team, and the bar to explore a true farm-to-table tradition that champions Providence Farms beef, Benton’s bacon, local trout, and Moonrise Bourbon. You hear how thoughtful restoration, pet-friendly fish camp cottages, and Forest Lodge events invite you to slow down, put away screens, and reconnect in Georgia’s farm-to-table capital.

At the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, Hometown Harvest turns the historic Vickery House into a garden and outdoor classroom that serves the UNG food pantry and Lumpkin County Schools. You hear how students, faculty, and community partners grow tomatoes, onions, berries, and more, preserve heirloom seeds, and deliver fresh produce to salad bars and neighbors in need. 

In this episode, you visit Big Creek Distilling Company in Dahlonega, Georgia, where a family-owned business is transforming the region’s moonshining past into a modern whiskey tradition. Host David Zelski takes you inside the still house to taste bourbon, gin, and even gold-infused moonshine while exploring the history that shaped North Georgia spirits.

This episode of the Fork in the Road podcast takes you to Chase Farms in Oglethorpe, Georgia, where three generations of the Chase family have been growing peanuts with care and tradition. Host David Zelski explores how they balance science, sustainability, and family life to keep Georgia’s state crop thriving.

In part two of our visit to Georgia Sea Grill, host David Zelski travels from the garden to the water, visiting the off-the-grid Satilla Pond where Chef Tim Lynch and pond manager Eric Miller hand-catch fresh catfish each week. Hear how this hidden fish farm supplies the Sea Grill with pristine, chemical-free catfish and how their dedication to quality translates to unforgettable dishes on the menu. This is a behind-the-scenes journey from pond to plate, from bait recipes to kitchen secrets.

On this episode, David visits Georgia Sea Grill on St. Simons Island to explore how Chef Tim Lynch and owner Zack Gowen are redefining local dining through fresh, coastal cuisine. The journey continues to Potlicker Farm, where farm manager Sam McPherson grows seasonal produce that connects deeply with Southern food traditions.

Cordele, GA is the Watermelon Capital of the World. This episode explores how this iconic summer fruit shapes the local economy and culture. From farm fields to festivals, join David Zelski as he meets the growers, experts, and community members behind Georgia’s sweetest harvest.

Let's visit Soldier of the Sea Distillery in Comer, Ga., where Marine veteran Mark Davis crafts unique whiskeys, some infused with local honey from his beekeeper wife, Jennifer, while honoring the armed forces and revitalizing the town. Discover how their passion for distilling, housed in a historic building, blends art and science to create exceptional spirits and promote the local community and Georgia's agricultural bounty.

Journey to Rabun County, Ga., to explore the Lake Burton Trout Hatchery and uncover the fascinating science behind cultivating trout for the state's rivers and lakes. Learn from trout stocking coordinator John Lee Thompson about the intricate life cycle within the hatchery and its vital role in supporting both ecological balance and angling opportunities in Georgia.