LITTLE ROCK, (Ark.) KATV — A last-minute recipe helped one food truck take home the top prize at Wings on the River III.
Kreg Stewart and Samantha Stewart, owners of Certified Pies, were named the winners of the wing festival, which brings vendors from across Arkansas and beyond together to compete and serve the community.
The couple said they were surprised by the win after putting together a secret sauce at the last minute.
“Wasn’t expecting to win. Oh, this is a surprise,” Kreg Stewart said. “We are last minute right through together a secret sauce and actually worked out, came through.”
The win was even more meaningful for the Stewarts after their wings were recently recognized by Southern Living magazine, where they ranked among the top 20 wings.
“The food truck brings a lot of opportunity to bring our wings around,” Stewart said. “So bringing them here and winning this award, it just makes it that much sweeter.”
Stewart said the festival was a memorable experience for the business and thanked the community for its support.
Festival owner Keith Tucker said Wings on the River brings together businesses from across the region, including vendors from Arkansas, Memphis and Texas.
“We have vendors from everywhere. It’s a blessing to have these vendors from everywhere,” Tucker said. “We have vendors from Memphis this year, Texas this year, and Arkansas homegrown vendors.”
Tucker said the festival gives businesses an opportunity to grow while also giving back to the community.
“It’s a way to give back to the community. It’s business. It’s really growth in the business for everybody,” he said.
Now in its third year, Wings on the River continues to bring food vendors and wing lovers together, with Tucker saying the community’s support is a major part of the festival’s success.
“Everybody does it. The community gets behind it, and we’re grateful,” Tucker said.
Dining and Cooking