This Former Simpsons Showrunner Sampled 200 Foods in 24 Hours. Then Bill Oakley Came Back For More.

Bill Oakley, a former Simpsons writer turned “professional food enthusiast,” spotlights the hidden gems of American regional cuisine. From rabbit in Arkansas to hot sauce in Portland, he uses humor and storytelling to connect beloved regional brands with a wider audience.

Watch now to learn about his hunt for regional flavors, the stories behind unexpected finds, and why he keeps shining a spotlight on small producers.

Sponsored by:
• TOAST - All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Chapters:
[02:20] - 200 Samples in 24 Hours
[06:15] - Trying Rabbit for the First Time
[08:10] - Shawn Faces the Hot Sauce Test
[12:40] - Root Beer with a Simpsons Connection
[15:00] - Peppers With Family Roots

SPONSORS:
RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS IS PRESENTED BY TOAST —
Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

• Toast All-In-1 Restaurant POS: https://bit.ly/3vpeVsc

Episode Links:
Bill Oakley: https://www.billoakley.com/

Bill Oakley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatbilloakley/?hl=en

Natural State Rabbit: https://nsrabbitmeat.com/

Secret Aardvark Sauce: https://secretaardvark.com/

Secret Aardvark Sauce YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEANQhS1ZgsbmcPykTaz1dQ

Crunch Factory: https://crunchfactory.com/

Crunch Factory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originalcrunchroll/

Crunch Factory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daretocrunch/

Salamida: https://www.salamidas.com/

Salamida Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salamidasauce/

Triple XXX Root Beer: https://www.triplexxxfamilyrestaurant.com/root-beer/

Triple XXX Root Beer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLZGUAhqmD-lPYv5ctj36Qw

Mama Lil’s Peppers: https://mamalils.com/

Mama Lil’s Peppers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mamalilspeppers

Mama Lil’s Peppers Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MamaLils

Marconi Giardiniera: https://marconi-foods.com/

Marconi Giardiniera Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marconifoods/?hl=en

Marconi Giardiniera YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaNXPCakFGUuDe5XmUInTXg

Key Takeaways:
Regional Foods Deserve the Spotlight: From Arkansas rabbit to Buffalo’s Crunch Rolls, Oakley proves that the best stories are often served at the local level.
Taste Everything, Share the Best: After sampling nearly 200 foods in a single day, Oakley pulls Shawn back to the ones that truly stood out — proof that curiosity (and stamina) uncover the stories worth telling.
Turning Tastes into Stories: Beyond the trade show, Oakley uses dinner events and social content to bring regional favorites like Triple XXX Root Beer and Mama Lil’s Peppers to bigger audiences, keeping traditions alive while making them entertaining.

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ABOUT BILL OAKLEY —
Bill Oakley is an Emmy-winning writer and producer best known for his iconic work on The Simpsons, where he co-ran the show during its critically acclaimed seventh and eighth seasons. He co-created the cult classic animated series Mission Hill and has contributed to other beloved shows like Futurama and Portlandia. Bill’s cultural impact extends beyond television—he wrote the “Steamed Hams” scene, a segment from The Simpsons that evolved into a viral meme, earning the title of Meme of the Year in 2018 from Know Your Meme. In recent years, Bill has transitioned from showrunning to the culinary world, where his sharp humor and love for American food have made him a sought-after voice in the industry.

ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS —
Restaurant Influencers is a weekly video podcast series presented by Entrepreneur Media and Cali BBQ Media. Every week host and restaurant owner Shawn Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) talks with business leaders like Shaquille O’Neal, Rob Dyrdek, Emeril Lagasse, Mayim Bialik, Jon Taffer, Robert Irvine, Toast co-founder Aman Narang, and more, about their secrets to Smartphone Storytelling, marketing, branding, and how to show up where customers are engaging online.

Published by Entrepreneur Media - https://entreprenuer.com
Produced by Cali BBQ Media - https://betheshow.media