NWA Food Suppliers Recognized by Darden

OK Foods Inc. and Tyson Prepared Foods were among 11 entities recently honored by Darden Restaurants Inc. as recipients of its annual “William B. Darden Distinguished Supplier Awards.”

The awards are named for the company’s late founder and winner are selected from a pool of more than 1,500 companies worldwide, according to a Darden news release. OK Foods is based in Fort Smith, while Tyson Prepared Foods is a division of Springdale-based Tyson Foods Inc.

O.K. Foods was able to match a recipe for a marinade used on chicken wings served at Bahama Breeze restaurants. The wings now arrive already marinated, saving workers the process of preparing them by hand.

Tyson was recognized for its menu development with Red Lobster.

Darden operates more than 1,800 restaurants, including Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse in addition to the aforementioned. The company claims annual sales of more than $7 billion.