Community
Arkansas Hospitality Cooking Competition results
Lilly’s took home more medals in the Arkansas Hospitality Cooking Competition than any other restaurant, winning a gold medal for Classic Creme Brulee with a Splash of Coconut, a silver for Thai Cocont Soup with Grilled Shrimp, and a bronze for Asian Crab Cakes served over Crispy Spinach with Fall Vegetables. A bronze medal was also awarded to Lilly’s for plate presentation. Congratulations to Nancy Tesmer.
Other Honors
- 2008 Best Vegetarian, ARKANSAS TIMES Best of Arkansas
- 2008, 2007, 2006 Best Asian, ARKANSAS TIMES Readers Choice
- 2007 Best Wine List (top 3), ACTIVE YEARS
- 2004 Best Ethinic, ACTIVE YEARS
- 2004 Best New Restaurant, ACTIVE YEARS
- 2003 Best New Restaurant, ARKANSAS TIMES
Lilly’s signature dish, Hong Kong Chicken, is featured on the Culinary Institute of America’s website, and has been published by Kikkoman International, Inc. and NATION’S HOSPITALITY MAGAZINE. Lilly’s was named as one of five “What’s Hot in Little Rock” restaurants, by NATION’S RESTAURANT NEWS, the largest foodservice trade publication in the United States
Lilly’s is as passionate about community involvement as the food and service. Team members are encouraged to volunteer their time are area non-profits, receiving compensation from Lilly’s for 50 percent of time volunteered.
In the past 12 months, Lilly’s has contributed food, time, money and service to more than 30 Arkansas non-profit organizations.
Lilly’s also works with the Arkansas Rice Depot, Arkansas Foodbank Network, and Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to help end hunger in Arkansas. We sponsored a benefit for the ARD raising over $5500 for the ARD’s Food for Kids program. The benefit launched the introduction of Lilly’s Vegetable Fried Rice Mix, donated to the ARD’s Simple Pleasures gourmet line of soups and mixes. The mix is available at Lilly’s, with all proceeds going to ARD’s Food for Kids program.
In April, Nancy Tesmer and the Legislative Hunger Caucus organized “Serving Up Solutions” to benefit AHRA. Over $15,000 was raised for mini-grants to small food pantries around the state. AHRA presented Nancy Tesmer with an award for her work on the event.
In recognition of Lilly’s community involvement, the Arkansas Hospitality Association named Lilly’s Arkansas Restaurant Neighbor of the Year in 2004.
In 2008, Nancy co-founded with other local restaurant owners the Arkansas Green Restaurant Alliance (AGRA). The mission of the Alliance is to encourage restaurants to implement green practices, thereby reducing their carbon footprint. Members also work together to source green products and negotiate favorable pricing. Member restaurants also promote “going green” to their customers, employees, and vendors.