Meet the HANDSHAKE team

HOPE RAY: OWNER & CHIEF OPERATOR

Hope Ray grew up calling Northwest Arkansas home while at the same time traveling extensively and living for stints in Norway, Jordan, and Mexico. Starting off as a barista, Hope has had her hand in some of the area's most successful and innovative hospitality ventures, including Brickhouse Kitchen, Pressroom, Preacher’s Son, The Holler, Co-Op Ramen, Louise, and most recently being the opening operator of James Beard nominated Conifer in Bentonville. Hope’s gift for making people feel loved, welcomed, and connected is the driving vision behind HANDSHAKE. Getting to partner with the Fayetteville Public Library along with local producers and entrepreneurs excites her to no end. Hope loves the rivers and hills and supporting the local music scene. She and her partner Ashley have a grumpy cat named Gloria and a goober of a dog named Honcho.

JAMESON HALL: OWNER & EXECUTIVE CHEF

With the help of tough and talented mentors Jameson began honing his craft in a variety of styles of kitchens scattered across the Gulf Coast and Ozarks. Jameson moved back to Arkansas in 2016 with a growing passion for feeding his community, believing that the local food scene only grows better with collaboration. Jameson’s expansive vision includes treating people around him with respect while serving imaginative and excellent food with a light and kind touch. When not in the kitchen Jameson can usually be found at Bunch park with his girlfriend Kat and their dog Gertie.

LUKE LAKES: SOUS CHEF

Luke is originally from Zephyrhills, Florida but cut his culinary teeth right on Dickson St. at Theos. He spent the last couple of years at Pizzeria Ruby before landing at HANDSHAKE. Luke enjoys the methodical nature of cooking and how the rules stand as guidelines for creativity and balance. He loves elevating the food around him and making hard things easy for others to learn and everyone to enjoy. At home he enjoys making fresh beef bourguignon for his fiance and making something special out of a normal day with friends. Luke appreciates the inviting nature of this community and the variety of local businesses.

LINDSEY CARRELL: PASTRY CHEF

Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, Lindsey Carrel changed college majors three different times before realizing at a friend's Thanksgiving that what she really wanted to do was cook. She started off by baking at the Manhattan Cafe in Kirksville, Missouri and has been covered in flour ever since. With an eye for form and precision she brings a fresh and consistent joy to her baking, making anything under the sun shine in that hot oven. Lindsey loves getting up in the morning and taking in the views on her porch overlooking the Ozark mountains and then heading out to find new places to eat and supporting local business.

ASHLEY WORTHEY: EVENTS MANAGER

Memphis native Ashley has been organizing the most dope local events for over 10 years. A founding member of Haus of Untz, a local DJ collective, Ashley has a passion for creating an inviting energy and showcasing the importance of collaboration. Got an idea for a special occasion or event that HANDSHAKE can host or cater? Ashley is ready, willing, and able to make it happen.

AMBER EGGLETON: MARKET & GROCERY MANAGER

Amber hails from Houston but has given her heart fully to the Ozarks. After graduating with a degree in studio art from Sam Houston State University, she made her way to the rivers (her favorite place) and hills, working a variety of jobs in art, retail, and restaurants. She loves helping make people feel cared for and thought of and sees that no one is ever missed or excluded. Amber is proud to see HANDSHAKE and this community grow and make a meaningful mark with their talents. Want to see an awesome local product on the curated shelves of the HANDSHAKE marketplace? Amber is the one to talk to.

HANNAH RAY: MURALIST

Hannah is a tattoo artist, muralist, and sheep shearer. She loves working with her hands in a creative and mobile environment where she gets to meet a variety of people. Hannah loves the feeling of getting her hands dirty and doesn’t own a single item of clothing without a paint, ink, or dirt stain. The artwork in HANDSHAKE is inspired by the playfulness of the library, her experience tattooing and layering colors, and the vision for art that has movement and energy. Hannah loved going to the library growing up and finding little corners to hide away in with a stack of books.