Today, Senator Lea Webb presented Theo’s Savory Sauces with a NYS Empire Award. The NYS Empire Award is the highest award a NYS Senator can bestow upon businesses and organizations in their district. More than three decades ago, Theodore "Theo" Felton Sr. and his wife, Barbara Felton, relocated from South Georgia to the Southern Tier and established Theo's Southern Style Cuisine. Located beside the iconic arches connecting Johnson City and Binghamton, the family-run restaurant quickly became a local institution, celebrated for its authentic Southern cooking, warm hospitality, and welcoming atmosphere. For twenty years, Theo's was known as the place to gather for a home-cooked meal, where the aroma of barbecue, fried chicken, and fresh cornbread welcomed generations of families through its doors. Determined to preserve that legacy, Linda Felton Osborne founded My Legacy Foods in 2016 as the exclusive wholesale provider of Theo's award-winning sauces. A minority- and woman-owned small business based in Binghamton, My Legacy Foods carries forward the recipes and traditions established by Theodore and Barbara Felton, introducing new generations to flavors synonymous with family, celebration, and heritage. Today, Theo's Savory Sauces can be found in homes and stores across New York State, allowing customers to recreate the beloved meals that made the original restaurant legendary. The product line includes family recipes perfected over generations, including the signature Sweet & Sassy sauce created by Theodore Felton and a barbecue sauce rooted in the family's Southern traditions. Following the passing of her father and her husband's recovery from a stroke, Osborne became a passionate advocate for heart-healthy cooking, partnering with organizations such as the American Heart Association to demonstrate practical ways families can prepare nutritious meals without sacrificing flavor or cultural tradition. By modifying beloved family recipes to reduce sodium and unhealthy fats, she empowers others to take charge of their health while maintaining meaningful connections to their heritage. In 2016, Osborne further preserved her family's story through the publication of Theo's Sweet & Sassy Cuisine, a cookbook that serves as both a collection of recipes and a tribute to the Felton family's journey from South Georgia to Upstate New York. The book celebrates entrepreneurship, agriculture, family history, and the power of food to unite people across cultures, while highlighting the rich history and diversity of the Southern Tier region. “My Legacy Foods was founded in Binghamton, NY, in June 2016, and June 2026 marks 10 years in business. For the past decade, My Legacy Foods has been more than a business — it’s been a mission to inspire healthier living through the power of food. We believe food is not just nourishment but a pathway to wellness, wholeness, and self-love,” said Linda Osborne, founder of My Legacy Foods. “Our legacy is rooted in community, empowering others to embrace lifestyle choices that nurture body, mind, and spirit at every table." “Theo's Savory Sauces reflects the entrepreneurial spirit, rich cultural traditions, and strong family values that help make the Southern Tier such a special place. For decades, the Felton family has shared their love of Southern cuisine while creating spaces where people could gather, celebrate, and build community. Linda Felton Osborne has carried that legacy forward with remarkable dedication, preserving her family's history while growing a successful minority and woman-owned business and promoting healthier cooking for families across New York,” Said Senator Lea Webb. “It is my honor to recognize Theo's Savory Sauces with a New York State Empire Award for their outstanding contributions to our region and the lasting impact they continue to make." ###