Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

Patrick's Burgers – Kesha Henderson-WIlson

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Patrick’s in Springdale talking with owner Kesha Henderson-Wilson, but before we hear from her?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
It’s @NWABurgerWeek!
Cable Car Pizza will be opening in a familiar spot in Fayetteville.
Sweet Paris Creperie and Café is soft opening in Rogers.
The Piehouse Bakery in Bentonville had a BIG win recently! We’ll hear from owner Lisa Sohl!
We’ll tell you about the Taste of Rogers!
The Fayetteville Strawberry Festival is back, and it’s packed with entertainment!
Happy anniversary to Onyx in Downtown Springdale and Dodo Coffee!
In today’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Café Rue Orlean’s Co-owner Maudie Schmitt about opening 25 years ago!
Kesha Henderson-Wilson grew up in the restaurant business... in fact, it’s the business that she runs today at Patrick’s Burgers in Springdale. Long known as a great, no cutting corners burger place, it’s what’s gotten them to 55 years in business, almost an impossible feat. Kesha will tell us about that... and did you know that it was originally something else? Well, they still made burgers, though... And how did she get the baton passed to her to take it over?  And what is their entry into this week’s NWA Burger week? We’re talking burgers and history next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

Mama Z's – Jessie Bishop

Greetings and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast. Appreciate you being here. We’re in Tontitown today at Mama Z’s talking with owner Jesse Bishop, but before we get to her?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Goat Lab Red has closed in Fayetteville. We’ll tell you why.
Table Au Centre has opened on the Walmart Campus. They have temporary hours now and we’ll tell you why.
NWA Burger Week is next week, and Big Daddy’s Burgers will be open for it!
Food and bev for Crystal Bridges will be outsources, according to Axios NWA.
The Bentonville Farmer’s Market has been ranked the 4th best in the country. We’ll explain the ratings system by the USA Today.
There are two new Cureate winners in Northwest Arkansas!
No Kid Hungry had another big night in Northwest Arkansas!
The DISH event raised BIG money for ACNW!
Happy Anniversary to Sidecar in Fayetteville!
Want to advertise on Flavors of Northwest Arkansas? Email for info! (FlavorsofNWA@Gmail.com)
In today’s Flavors Flashback, a local James Beard Best Chef of the South nominee tells you how to make your food taste better!
Jesse Bishop is the 3rd generation owner/operator of Mama Z’s in Tontitown. Her Nona was Edna Zulpo who started Mama Z’s. Jesse has some stories about her and the early days of the restaurant. Jesse will also talk about her path from growing up in the restaurant to owning it. She’ll talk about what the hardest part has been. Finally, the food, she’ll hit the classics including the national dish of Tontitown, fried chicken and spaghetti. For those that don’t know, they also have food that’s not Italian and she’ll also talk about serving breakfast and lunch. We’re talking Mama Z’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

*Special Edition* NWA Burger Week 2026- Joseph Nguyen (@HangryPedalerNWA)

In this special edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we talk with Joseph Nguyen (@hangrypedalerNWA) about the inaugural NWA Burger Week. As the founder and organizer, he gives us a few of his favorite burgers that will be made especially for the week, and we'll talk about the need for the NWA Food Bank, who will get a dollar from each burger sold. #TipYourServers 

Muselet Champagne Bar – Aaron Walters

WE’RE TALKING CHAMPAGNE TODAY!!!
Sidenote: I’ve got on my NWA Burger Week t-shirt – You’ll find out more about NWA Burger Week this Friday as we sit with the founder and organizer, Joseph Nguyen who you know as @hangrypedalernwa on Instagram. But today, we’re in Bentonville at Muselet, talking with Owner, Executive Chef and Champaign King Aaron Walters, but before we hear form Aaron??
FOOD NEWS!!
The World Food Championships happened this weekend at Brightwater. The winner took home $100,000 and almost didn’t finish his final plate! We have the VIDEO!!
A new Cajun grocery & gift spot opened in Springdale this weekend. We’ll tell you about Down the Bayou.
There’s a new breakfast & lunch spot in Rogers. We’ll talk about Velvet Sunrise.
Siplab in Bentonville opened their doors to a crowd on Sunday morning!
Amorino Gelato is officially open!
Home Brewers battled it out at Bentonville Brewing on Saturday to benefits the NWA Women’s Shelter.
It’s almost Chefs’ Night for No Kid Hungry – you can still get tickets!
Aaron Walters owns and operates Muselet Champagne Bar on 5th Street in Bentonville. An Arkansas native, he talks about how he got into food, because he became a chef before getting into the finer points of Champagne. In fact,  he was a private chef for some pretty important people. What’s it like being a private chef in Hawaii? Aaron’s got some stories. Also, what got him into Champagne, and how many do they stock at Muselet? We talk wine, other beverages, and a delicious food menu in this episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

*Special Edition* DISH Benefitting Arkansas Children's Northwest – Sarah Ross, Lauren Blass, and Courtney Becton

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, Sarah Ross, Lauren Blass, and Courtney Becton sit with John to talk about Arkansas Children's Northwest biggest fundraiser of the year, Dish. 
From a Palm Royale theme to the 25 restaurants that will be onsite serving food, this episode gets you caught up with everything, including how to get your tickets (as they're going fast). Also, you'll hear about silent auction items THAT ARE LIVE NOW. 
You can check out the items and get tickets now at archildrens.org/dish. 
See you there!

Honeycomb Kitchen Shop Wine Director & RYN Bartender Ryan Kalkwarf

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the Honeycomb Kitchen Shop in downtown Rogers talking with their wine shop director & Ryn bartender Ryan Kalkwarf. We’ll be talking about his path to wine, and then, we’ll be trying some of his current favorites, so get your notepad ready – but before we talk to Ryan?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!!
Cura Osteria has passed all of their tests, and gotten permits! They open.... VERY soon!
Kilroy Public House officially opens... VERY soon!!
Big Daddy’s Burgers announced their grand opening for May 1st- we’ll tell you when they soft open!
It’s going to be a big weekend for Down the Bayou in Springdale. We’ll hear from owner Shane Acosta.
Siplab opens Saturday- we’ll tell you about their deals.
The 2nd annual Chef’s Dinner benefitting No Kid Hungry is going to be HUGE. Get tickets before you can’t. We’ll tell you how to get them.
On this week’s Flavors Fashback, we hear how Executiver Chef Sam Walker ended up at Gaskins!
Honeycomb Kitchen Shop and Ryn’s Ryan Kalkwarf has been in the restaurant food and beverage game for a long time around the US. He’ll talk about becoming a chef and what inspired him to get involved with wine. He’ll also talk about wine trends, and we’ll talk about the future of wine, and how the next generations are approaching it. Also, we’ll taste a few trendy wines, and Ryan will give us the low-down on those on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Winecast!

*Special Edition* No Kid Hungry Dinner at The Jones Center- Gaskins on Emma Executive Chef Sam Walker

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking to Sam Walker, Executive Chef at Gaskins on Emma as he prepares to host his EPIC No Kid Hungry dinner at the Jones Center.
He’ll talk about the event, the 20 chefs involved in the undertaking of the event, and the mission of No Kid Hungry.
Also, we’ll tell you how to get tickets- they’ve already sold half, so with the event being 2 weeks away, you need to get them now!

Brightwater- Executive Director Chef Marshall Shafkowitz

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we speak with Executive Director of Brightwater, Chef Marshall Shafkowitz, but before we talk to him?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Black Apple Cider has been acquired! We’ll hear the plans for the brand from Scarlet Letter Beverage Company Founder & CEO Dr. Jesse Core!
A Michelin Recommended restaurant from Dallas is soft opening in Bentonville. We’ll tell you how you can get reservations to Written by the Seasons!
Wesner’s Grill will be on a TV show this summer!
AY Magazine gives us an idea of when Bentoville will open.
Big Bo Karaoke is coming to Bentonville. We’re talking menu with one of the owners.
The Naturals have some new menu items. We’ll tell you about them!
The Fayetteville Strawberry Festival has announced their particulars.
Happy 10th anniversary to Honeycomb Kitchen Shop and third anniversary to Orthodox Brewing.
On this week’s Flavors Flashback, we’ll hear the origination story of Mermaid’s from Chef Todd Golden.
Man, does Brightwater Executive Director and Chef Marshall Shafkowitz have some stories. Originally from New York, he’s been all over. His family restaurant got him interested in food at a young age. Quitting a corporate gig and getting a broken heart in his mid-20’s got him to love food again and find passion in it, which eventually spawned his love for teaching with help from something that his mother told him. Finally, he’ll tell us about his journey to Northwest Arkansas, and his love for it. That’s on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

Siloam Syrups – Angela Bolt

Welcome this this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast! I adore everything about today’s podcast. The company, the product, the owner and her story as we’re talking today with Angela Bolt from Siloam Syrups... but before we get to her?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Two local spots made the James Beard Awards Final 5 in two categories, and they’re both in the same building in Rogers!
A No Kid Hungry dinner was announced for Springdale. We have the details.
More news about the Kilroy Public House in Rogers!
Chuo Izakaya is officially open!
Taqueria El Cuervo has officially moved.
There will be multiple food options in the new development going up by Gully Park in Fayetteville.
7Brew is coming to the UofA
We have the results of the Black Howler Beer Chili Cookoff from the weekend!
Happy anniversary to Crisis Brewing and Terracotta. Both are partying on Saturday. We have the deets.
Another Dining in the Dark at Mockingbird Kitchen. We’ll tell you where it originated from and how it started in NWA!
What a story Angela Bolt has. Born and raised on the west coast, you’ll love the story about how she learned how to cook. You’ll also hear about the familial influences in her life and are with her today. How did she get into the food and beverage business? That’s a good story and has to do with family. Speaking of which, how does one go from Oakland to Siloam Springs? It’ll make sense, I promise. Also, a scary health situation and the story of Angela having to put her life on pause and the village that got her through it. Finally, those yummy syrups... Delish. We talk to Angela Bolt from Siloam Syrups next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

Townie, Oven & Tap, Superfine Sweets Shoppe – Luke Wetzel & Mollie Mullis

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Bentonville with Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis talking Townie Burgers, Oven & Tap and Superfine Sweets, but before we do?!?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Chuo Izakaya finally opens in Rogers THIS WEEK! Owner Darwin Beyer talks about getting the doors open.
The HUB in Bentonville re-opens THIS WEEK! General Manager Shawn Curtis gives us the schedule!
My new crush Taqueria El Cuervo is moving THIS WEEK!
Jaclyn’s Kitchen at Prairie Creek officially opened LAST WEEK!
Down the Bayou has announced when they’re opening. Not THIS WEEK.
Moffs Pizza wants to move into a brick-and-mortar building, and you can help!
Angelino’s Italian Restaurant in Siloam will be closing. We’ll tell you when.
Big anniversaries this week with Guess Who, Feed and Folly, and Handel’s Ice Cream in Rogers.
I’ve been following an Arkansas Pastry Chef who had a big week last week at a big competition!
The Black Howler Beer Company Beer Chili Cookoff is this Saturday!
Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis have been business partners for about a decade now, and the story of how they met is hilarious. It started with a job interview and a phone call – also, persistence paid off. When Luke decided that he wanted to open Oven and Tap, there was never a question about who would be a part of it with him. They both talk about the lessons learned when opening their first place.
 I’ve always wondered this about ice cream shops –how do they pick out their ice cream flavors for Superfine Sweets Shop?
Finally, what led to Townie Burgers and what’s next?
We hear from Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis next, on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas. Please like and subscribe! Available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts!