Joy Robertson wraps up her whirlwind time at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago with a hometown twist! In this episode of Savor the Ozarks, Joy catches up with food industry powerhouses from right here in the 417, because who says Springfield can't hang with the big dogs?

First up, she sits down with Mike and Casey Jalili, the dynamic duo behind Springfield staples like Flame, Char, and Black Sheep. They dish on what trends caught their eye and how restaurant tech is changing the game. Then Joy chats with Aaron Gregory, Executive Chef at SGC Food Service, who’s on the hunt for the next big thing in flavor. From mocktails and dirty sodas to pinça pizza crust, Aaron’s got his finger on the culinary pulse, and he's not afraid to get a little weird (in the best way possible).

You’ll even get the inside scoop on the real MVP of the restaurant world—the walk-in cooler. Turns out, it’s not just for keeping food cold... it’s also where chefs go to chill themselves (tears, screams, deep breaths... whatever it takes). Joy’s wrapping up her time at the National Restaurant Show with laughs, local flavor, and fresh insights. Ending on a high note, the Ozarks way!

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