Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > “AETN Presents: On the Tamale Trail” to air on AETN Three Arkansans scour the state for the best ‘soul food’ in the form of tamales

“AETN Presents: On the Tamale Trail” to air on AETN Three Arkansans scour the state for the best ‘soul food’ in the form of tamales

Posted 02 Dec 2009

Culture, region, tradition, personal history, and a sense of place are all must-have ingredients for satisfying soul food. They simmer together over the decades to become one distinctive dish, in this case, tamales.

“On the Tamale Trail” follows Kane Webb, teacher at Little Rock Catholic High; Rex Nelson, senior vice president for government relations and public outreach at The Communications Group; and Bill Vickery, political consultant and radio talk show host on KABZ FM Little Rock, as they search for some of the best tamales the Arkansas and Mississippi deltas have to offer.

“AETN Presents: On the Tamale Trail” features Arkansas’s own restaurants Pasquale’s Tamales located in West Helena, owned by Joe and Joyce St. Columbia; and Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales located in Lake Village, owned by Rhoda Adams. Other featured restaurants include: Hicks’ World Famous Hot Tamales & More, University of Mississippi’s Southern Foodways Alliance, Abe Bar-B-Q, John’s Homestyle Hot Tamales, White Front Café, Doe’s Eat Place, and Maria’s Famous Hot Tamales.

“AETN Presents” features a variety of arts and cultural subjects. Previously included in the series have been the Arkansas Acoustic Festival; performances by the Cate Brothers, Trout Fishing in America, Dale Hawkins, The Claudia Burson Trio, The Salty Dogs and Epiphany; and “On the Same Page” with authors Buzz Bissinger, Billy Collins, John T. Edge and Kenneth L. Smith.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (www.aetn.org) provides lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans’ lives and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming and services. AETN’s transmitters and numerous cable system connections give it statewide reach.