Hey, Simply Southern viewers! We were so excited about the first show of the season that we decided we wanted to share it with y’all again and again!

In all seriousness – the production crew here at Simply Southern has been dealing with illness, so we’ve had to delay the season slightly. This weekend, enjoy the encore presentation of our first show of season 7, and we’ll have some more new stuff coming your way soon!

What better way to kick it all off than by recapping the Bama’s Best Pulled Pork Contest, sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation Pork Division? We traveled many miles – from Elba all the way to Moulton – taste-testing the best pulled pork dishes at four finalist restaurants. And we determined that the best Pulled Pork is served at JJ’s BBQ in Elba. Owner Chequita Walker named the restaurant for her son… and you’ve gotta watch to hear his thoughts on his mom winning. Congrats to JJ’s BBQ!

Let’s follow-up all that BBQ with a little decadent dessert from Jay’s Cheesecakes. Jay Wilson is a concert promoter based in Homewood. His industry was hit hard by the pandemic, which caused event cancellations and closed concert venues. Never one to sit around long, Jay started baking, and the profits from his Jay’s Cheesecakes go to help people in the concert industry who are without jobs.

Thomas and Melissa Ellis know a lot about farming – from cattle to poultry and even pecans! It’s because of all their hard work that their Triple E Farm in Lowndes County was named Alabama’s 2020 Farm of Distinction. Learn more about their operation. Plus, enjoy another new addition to the show — our interview segment. Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms talks about how the Farm of Distinction contest fits the overall Farm-City mission, and he explains how people all across the state can participate in Farm-City.

We are so excited to welcome Stacey Little of Southern Bite to the Simply Southern crew! Throughout the year, Stacey will share quick and easy recipes that are sure to please the family. And who doesn’t need more fail-proof, tried-and-true recipes for their recipe boxes? To start it off, Stacey shares a true Southern favorite – Chocolate Gravy.