Savor The Ozarks

What if you could order anything on a menu and never worry about allergies again? 🥹✨
Joy sits down with Katrina “Kat” Hagan of The Safe Spoon, Springfield’s newest completely allergen-free café.

The Safe Spoon is free from the FDA’s top 9 allergens: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. It’s also celiac-safe, Alpha-Gal safe, free from mammal, gluten, dyes, rice, and coconut. And there is zero cross-contamination in the kitchen. Zero. 💛

Kat shares how her lupus diagnosis, her husband’s Alpha-Gal journey, and her bakery Sensitively Sweet led to creating a space where families can finally eat out safely together.

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What does it take to keep a local restaurant rocking for more than 30 years? 🔥🍗
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Joy grabs a seat at Coyote’s Adobe Café with owner Dave Bauer, who opened the doors in 1992 with one simple goal… survive longer than the place before him. Safe to say, he did a little more than that. 😉

Dave shares how Coyote’s became a Springfield staple, from dialing in those famous wings to hosting unforgettable wing competitions, KC Chiefs celebrations, and fundraisers that bring the whole community together. It’s a fun conversation about grit, loyalty, and what it really takes to stay in the game for three decades in the restaurant world. Pull up a chair. You’re going to love this one. 🍻

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✨🍷 Get ready to savor one of the most indulgent weekends in the Ozarks. 🍽️✨
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Joy Robertson heads to the breathtaking Big Cedar Lodge to sit down with Mark Stoner, Vice President of Food and Beverage, for a mouthwatering conversation about the legendary Celebration of Taste. Now in its 32nd year, this winter tradition brings together world-class wines, jaw-dropping dishes, cozy Ozarks vibes, and guests who return year after year just for this experience. From lobster crudo and wagyu tenderloin to wine seminars, fireside elegance, and that unmatched Big Cedar hospitality, this episode is basically a front-row seat to the most delicious party of the season. 🥂🔥

If you love food, wine, stories behind the scenes, and a little Ozarks magic mixed in, you’ll want to pull up a chair and listen all the way through. Trust us, you’ll be hungry by the end. 😍🍴

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Ever wondered where people in the Ozarks go to get dressed up, sip a classic cocktail, and dance the night away? 💃🕺✨

Joy Robertson steps inside the Stardust Ballroom with Louie Michael, the voice and heart behind one of Springfield’s most unique nightlife spots. From big band nights and social dances to surprise concerts and unforgettable New Year’s Eve parties, Louie shares how Stardust became a place where generations come together to dance, connect, and feel a little glamorous again ✨🎶

They talk about the magic of live music, why the dance floor matters, and how Stardust has grown into much more than a ballroom. It’s also an event space, a community hub, and a place where friendships are formed and memories are made. Joy and Louie also dive into his incredible life story, from a career in entertainment to his passion for mental health advocacy and helping others through some of life’s hardest moments ❤️

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Fresh-baked pastries, European café vibes, and the kind of food that makes you slow down and savor every bite 🥐☕💙

Joy heads to Commercial Street to sit down with Jennie Boosey, the heart and hands behind Blue Heron Farm & Bakery, to talk about how a small farm near Marshfield turned into one of Springfield’s most beloved bakery stops. From flaky croissants and legendary lemon galettes to brioche donuts that sell out fast, Jennie shares how everything is made from scratch, why quality ingredients matter, and how her time living in England helped shape the Blue Heron experience.
They also dive into bakery life behind the scenes, why pastries are a true labor of love, the magic of baking classes that sell out in minutes, and what exciting new lunch plans are coming next 🥖🍋✨

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Joy Robertson pulls up a chair at PaPPo’s Pizzeria on East Battlefield and sits down with the man behind the pies, Chris “PaPPo” Galloway. What starts as a conversation about pizza quickly turns into a story about family roots, Sunday Italian dinners, made-from-scratch food, and how one pizza recipe turned into a growing franchise that started right here in the Ozarks.

You’ll hear how PaPPo’s dough was inspired by baking bread with his dad, why real ingredients matter so much to him, and how PaPPo’s became a go-to spot for everyone from college students to families to people navigating food allergies. Along the way, Joy dives into crowd favorites, unexpected menu gems, and the famous brown butter cookies that have their own fan club. 🍪

It’s warm, personal, and full of food love. Pull up a seat, grab a slice, and savor this one. 🍕💛

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What happens when one of the Ozarks’ most loved Italian spots is forced to shut its doors overnight? Joy heads to Piccolo in Nixa to hear the story straight from owner Steve D'Arpino. 🍝❤️

After a terrifying accident forced the restaurant to close, Piccolo is officially back open and better than ever. Steve shares the emotional story behind reopening, his family’s deep roots in the Ozarks restaurant scene, and how Piccolo became a local favorite.

You’ll hear about the dishes people can’t stop talking about, including mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, corn brûlée creations, comforting Italian classics, pizza, vegan options, and desserts that regulars swear by. It’s a heartfelt look at resilience, community support, and why Piccolo continues to hold a special place in the 417.

Pull up a chair, pour a glass of wine, and savor this one 🍷✨

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The holidays are here, the guests are coming, and the food pressure is real 🎄🍽️ 

Joy Robertson heads to the SGC Foodservice Culinary Center to talk party food with executive chef Aaron Gregory, the guy who sees holiday food trends before they hit your table. They dive into shareable favorites, charcuterie boards that never go out of style, sweet heat flavors like cranberry chipotle and mango habanero, and easy ways to upgrade classic dishes without stressing yourself out.

From Brussels sprouts glow ups to speed scratch cooking, menu trends, and why January is actually one of the busiest food planning months of the year, this episode is packed with ideas you will want to steal. Consider this your permission slip to keep it simple, get creative, and enjoy the party 🎉

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Step inside College Street Café and you’ll feel it immediately… the nostalgia, the Route 66 magic, and the kind of comfort food that tastes like home. 🍳🍔

This week, Joy sits down with owner Mary Lou Meierotto, who stumbled into running this beloved Springfield diner completely by accident and ended up carrying on a legacy that dates back to the 1950s. They talk about everything that makes this place special, from hand-patted burgers and the chili-and-grilled-cheese combo everyone raves about, to the regulars who’ve been coming here for decades and still insist on sitting at the counter.

It’s small-town comfort, bighearted hospitality, and classic Route 66 Americana all rolled into one cozy booth. Pull up a stool… this one will make you smile. 🙂

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If the holidays have you buried under cookies, casseroles, and expectations, Joy Robertson and food writer Juliana Goodwin are here with the gift of simplicity.

In this festive video episode, Juliana shares her go-to five-ingredient recipes, including her melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, a unbeatable Mediterranean layer dip, and a flavor-loaded feta roasted pepper spread. She even brings a holiday cranberry margarita into the mix. 🍹

They swap stories, laugh about holiday kitchen chaos, and talk about why letting go of perfection can make your season brighter AND tastier. A cozy, delicious conversation that’ll make your holidays feel so much easier. 🎁✨

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