Fill Your Plate Now Podcast
Uncorking Arizona’s $23 Billion Restaurant Boom: Legacy, Local Flavor & What’s Next, Episode 78
On this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we sit down with Steve Chucri, President and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association (ARA), for an insider’s look at the state’s vibrant, award-winning dining scene. Steve shares his family’s deep roots in the industry and what first drew him to restaurants, then unpacks the biggest shifts of the past six years—from pandemic recovery to rising costs and evolving consumer habits. He celebrates what makes Arizona special: cultural diversity, a growing roster of James Beard-recognized chefs, and independent restaurants that make up roughly 65% of the market. We explore how the ARA strengthens the vital farm-to-table connection, spotlight national award winners, and examine the forces driving more than $23 billion in sales and hundreds of thousands of jobs. Steve reveals the unique pressures independents face versus chains, the creative strategies restaurants use to beat Phoenix’s brutal summer slowdowns, and how technology is enhancing—not replacing—the human side of hospitality. He also highlights standout partnerships with local farmers and ranchers, emerging trends in transparency and sustainability, and the dining experiences he’s most excited about for 2026. Plus, practical tips for getting the most out of every meal out and a quick preview of Arizona Restaurant Week (September 18-27). Whether you’re a food lover, industry pro, or curious diner, this conversation serves up a full plate of insight into why Arizona’s restaurants are thriving—and how you can savor them even more. https://fillyourplate.org/ https://arizonamilk.org/ https://arizonarestaurantweek.com/ https://azrestaurant.org/
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company and how they Embrace Agriculture, Episode 77
Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company has become a leader in craft beer by proving that great beer starts with great local…
Growing Home: Arizona – How 3 Families Humanize the Desert’s Water Crisis, Episode 76
Water is the lifeblood of the desert—but conversations about Arizona’s most precious resource are often buried in statistics, policy debates,…
Modernizing Dams, Reservoirs & Delivery Systems for Family Farms & The Food System, Episode 75
In this episode of Fill Your Plate Now, we welcome back Sam Barncastle of the Family Farm Alliance to dive…
From Classroom to Cotton Fields: Multi-Generational Farming & Connecting with Consumers , Episode 74
Join us on Fill Your Plate Now as we sit down with Nancy Caywood, a third-generation farmer at Caywood Farms…
Farm to Carton: Dr. Schack on Her Children’s Book, Connecting Kids to Dairy Farming, Episode 73
Join hosts Tammy Baker and Julie Murphree on Fill Your Plate Now for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Michelle Schack—Arizona…
Raising Kids and Cattle: How One Young Arizona Ranch Couple Manages in Modern Times, Episode 72
Join us on Fill Your Plate Now for an inspiring conversation with Ben and Ashley Menges — a young, hardworking…
Fill Your Plate Securely: Dr. Wolker on Battling the Screwworm Before It Hits Arizona, Episode 71
Join Fill Your Plate Now for a critical conversation with Dr. Ryan Wolker, DVM, Arizona’s State Veterinarian with the Arizona…
Large Animal Vet Life, Dairy Regulations & Consumer Myths: Inside Look with Dr. Runyon, Episode 70
Discover the real story behind dairy cow care with Dr. Kandice Runyon, DVM, Director of Animal Wellbeing at United Dairymen…
Our Latest Posts
How Farmers Use Cool Hours Irrigation to Conserve Water and Grow Your Food
Growing up on our family farm in Arizona, I remember my dad, Pat Murphree, carefully planning what he called “night irrigations.” He talked often about…
What Nutrition Does an Avocado Have? A Complete Guide to Avocado’s Nutritional Value
When I first started paying attention to nutrition for my fitness goals, I focused mostly on protein and carbs. Protein for muscle. Carbs for energy.…
Featured Recipes
