Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking to the super-busy Stephanie Martinez who’s following her dream as an exceptional chocolatier at MUSA Chocolatier... But before we hear from her?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!!
Breaking news last night, as Archie’s Sandwichery announced that they’re expanding. He’ll tell you where!
The Arkansas. Food Hall of Fame has some NWA Finalists!
Two spots relocated and opened last week. We’ll get you up to date!
Did you see what Bentonville’s Piehouse Bakery did for their first time in the World Food Championships?!?!
The Arkansas State Chili Championships happened over the weekend. We’ll tell you what the winner gets and hear from him.
It’s National Cheese Dip Day, and there’s a Cheese Dip War in Fayetteville.
Half Baked Goodness is now open in Fayetteville.
Cako is coming to Rogers!
SoFresh opens tomorrow in Rogers!
Mai Boba Place is closing their window. We’ll tell you when.
Anniversary Time! Happy 16th to Tontitown Winery, happy 12th to Woodstone Pizza, and happy first year to Third Space Coffee!
In today’s Flavors Flashback, we go back to our podcast with Kevin Girkins of Archie’s, and hear him talk about... expansion :)
Stephanie Martinez is never sitting still (unless you ask her to be on your podcast). She started in the corporate world and had a HUGELY interesting job with American Airlines. She’ll tell us that crazy story. She came to NWA for a job, added a degree, and then hit the vendor world during Covid. A few jobs and rungs up the ladder later, she had the realization (as many of us do), that it was time to work for herself. How did chocolate enter the picture? She’ll tell you. Also, it’s a very meticulous process and she’ll walk us through it all, and that’s on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.  

Premier Chef (formerly Top Chef NWA) takes place Saturday in Rogers and benefits the Rogers Public Library Foundation. Five chefs with each make a creative bold, innovative dishes as they compete for the title, showcasing their creativity, skill, and passion for food. 
Premier Chef is now a qualifying event for the World Food Championships, as the winner of this event will get the golden ticket!
The five competitors are:
Alejandra Serna-Cardona- Tyson Foods
Bill Martfeld- Lasang Pinoy
Casey Coverdell- Walmart AMP
Garyn Folden- Cura Osteria
Matt Zimmerman- Cherokee Casino
Get your tickets at Premierchefnwa.com!

Hi there, and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, I’m John Engleman- thanks for being here!
This week? We’re with Co-Founder Melinda Williams and Food & Beverage Director Baylee Summers, but before we hear from them?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
The Catfish Hole announces expansion to Bentonville, but where?
Brothers Meethouse closed their doors at the end of their shift last Friday.
Arsaga’s is building out a space on Mount Sequoyah. We’ll hear when they plan to open.
Written by the season gets some Michelin recognition.
Nola’s Pantry is back open. We’ll tell you if anything’s changed.
Hustle and get your tickets to Winetopia!
Premiere Chef happens next weekend, and it’s going to send someone to the World Championships!
Speaking of the World Food Championships, we’ve got a local establishment competing there now!
Happy 17th anniversary to Feltner Brothers!
Happy first anniversary to Wildberry Smoothie! They’re celebrating on Saturday!
Happy first anniversary to Cellar on B Street! They’re also celebrating on Saturday!
Speaking of Cellar on B Street, on this week’s Flavors Flashback we hear what happened when they decided to make a wine shop out of their sun room!
For the Love started out of the gates running. Literally. That’s what the 3 neighbors were doing when they hatched the idea. Running together at night during covid. They were looking to make a difference in people’s lives and form community during a time where you couldn’t. Now they feed all 4 of our big cities- Springdale on Monday, Rogers on Tuesday, Fayetteville on Wednesday and Bentonville on Thursday. They’ve got some amazing stories about the people and situations they’ve found themselves in along the way. We hear from Co-Founder Melinda Williams & Food & Beverage Director Baylee Summers, and that's here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

On this SPECIAL edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk about a dynamite event coming up. It’s called Winetopia and it’s happening in Fayetteville a week from today- Friday, October 16th. You’re about to hear all about it, and the cause that it benefits, and it’s a huge one. You’ll hear about some success stories that wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for this event. You’ll also hear about the event itself, and what a great night it is, and it’s a blast. Tickets sell out every year, and you can get yours at RestoreHumanity.org... again, that’s RestoreHumanity.org 

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with local Master Sommelier Laura Williamson about her amazing story. She has the highest designation in the world in wine, and you won’t believe how rare it is to be a Master Somm, but before we talk to Laura?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Owner Russell Ingram tells us why Dot’s Hot Chicken in Fayetteville is closing.
Bethel Brew has announced that they’ll be closing. We’ll tell you when.
Gelatissimo Gelato came out on top at the World Dairy Expo. You’ll hear from Co-owner Ariel Husband about it!
Onyx Coffee Lab will be going into a brand-new development in North Fayetteville!
Tiny Tim’s Pizza was almost evicted from the Square in Fayetteville?!?!
Get your tickets fast, as Evening at the Farm is about to sell out!
The former OZ’s Smokehouse in downtown Rogers will have a new tenant soon!
We’ll tell you about Vesper, the sister concept of the Callisto Cocktail Bar in Bentonville.
Johnny Brusco’s is going to open early next year in Fayetteville.
Hill City Popcorn is officially open in their new location in Tontitown!
Sips Nutrition is now open in Farmington!
Crave Cookies had a HUGE grand opening in Centerton!
We’ll tell you who won in the four categories of the Frisco Inferno BBQ Cookoff.
We have 5 anniversaries! Happy earthly rotation to Mexico Viejo, Red Barn Donuts, Warike 115, Big Heart Bread, and Confident Coffee’s Fayetteville location!
Speaking of Onyx, in today’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Co-owner Andrea Allen about building a new concept on another former farm. Hers.
The only way that I can describe our guest today is that she’s incredibly unique. Since inception of the Court of Master Sommelier’s exam in 1969, less than 300 people worldwide have ever passed the exam. Laura Williamson was the 13th female to EVER pass the exam, and there are now only 24 female master sommeliers in the U.S. And where was she born? Bentonville, Arkansas. You’ll hear her story- how she got into wine, stories about traveling the world, and why she’s back in NWA, and that’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.
 
 

In this week’s edition of the flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we are at The Leroy in Fayetteville this week, talking with Owner Ted Belden and Operator Todd Martin, but before we sit with them?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
We kick it off with some breaking news- and it’s sad news. Springdale’s Pleasant Counter is closing. We have the deets and you’ll hear from one of the owners.
Isabella’s in Bentonville announced their closure on Monday, and they may have foreshadowed it on last week’s podcast.
What’s up with Mama Tangs?
Stephen Fiery Redd Curgan set another Guinness Record over the weekend!
Hill City Popcorn opens in their new spot TOMORROW.
Centerton is getting a new cookie shop, and you won’t want to miss this grand opening! We’ll tell you about Crave!
Mugs & Merlot will be opening without the Merlot starting out, but there’s a good reason.
We find out where the Obsidian Lion speakeasy will be located!
Do you have your tickets yet to Evening at the Farm?!?!
Happy 3-year anniversary to Perisseia Coffee!
Happy 1-year Anniversary to Langman Winery!
Falltoberfest is this Sunday on Dickson Street!
Frisco Inferno is back this weekend in downtown Rogers!
We hear about “Bloody-blood” in this week’s Flavors Flashback (yikes)!
The Leroy on Dickson Street in Fayetteville hasn’t always been called the Leroy. It opened a few years ago as the Luh-roy... We’ll hear about the pronunciation change. Also, why a sporting lounge? Owner Ted Belden speaks to that and the inclusion of duckpin bowling there. More so than most places, there’s a diversity of clientele being that they’re in walking distance to campus and serve upscale pub food, and craft cocktails. We’ll hear how they work to cater to everyone. Finally, we get into the food and bev space, and we’ll hear about operating partner South by Northwest’s influence on the current menu and what that first gameday looked like, and that’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking about Evening at the Farm at Apple Seeds Teaching Farm in Fayetteville. We talk with Apple Seeds Event Manager Carol Weaver, who walks us through what Apple Seeds is and what they do, and how Evening at the Farm has grown over the years. You’ll also hear from Chefs Case Dighero and Tyler Rogers about the night, the menu, and more. This is a night that always sells out, and this year will be no different because there aren’t many tickets left. The dinner is October 10th and you can get your tickets at appleseedsAR.org.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we sit down to talk with Isabella’s, Big Daddy’s Burgers, TJ’s Sandwiches, Hugs Ice Cream, and Mermaid’s Catering Co-owner & Executive chef Todd Golden, but before we hear from him?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
NWA has a new Guiness World Champion and he’s going for another on Friday, and you can be there to witness it!
A new winner has been crowned from the Miracle League of NWA, and they’ll be heading to Indianapolis to compete in the World Championships. You’ll hear from him.
Parlay on 8th won some big recognition on Friday night.
We’ll hear from the new owners of Orthodox Brewing!
A new update from Apple’s Thai-Nee Restaurant.
Bearberry Donuts will be opening in Bentonville, we’ll tell you where!
Know a restaurant that should make the Arkansas Food Hall of Fame? You can nominate them until September 30. We’ll tell you how!
Nola’s Pantry will re-open soon. We’ll tell you when!
Available tickets for BITE NWA are only available for one day!
Happy one-year anniversary to Mouret Maison in Lowell and Muselet in Bentonville!
Speaking of Muselet, in today’s Flavors Flashback, we hear how Executive Chef Aaron Walters got into cooking- and it started with a lie!
Chef Todd Golden has been in the Fayetteville restaurant business scene for 35 years. Since we sat with him a few years ago, he and his family have added 4 spots, 2 of which are restaurants, an event space called the Golden Venue, and a private wellness studio called Red Light Retreat! Chef Todd talks about the recent opening of Big Daddy’s Burgers in Fayetteville, the recent closing of Mermaids in Rogers, and what the restaurant scene is going through in Fayetteville now and more, and that’s on this edition of the Flavors of NWA podcast.  

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Johnson at La Media Luna talking with owners Julio & Adrian Leonardo, but first?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!!
Another NWA restaurant made ANOTHER impressive list in the New York Times! We’ll tell you who, and you’ll hear from them!
Hotel Vin in Rogers has officially opened. We’ll hear about their food and beverage availabilities.
Kaylee’s Bakery had a HUGE grand opening in Highfill last Saturday. Kaylee will tell us about her spot!
Is Memo’s Tacos finally open in Springdale?
A 20 year-old has opened a coffee drive thru on Bentonville called Tri-Stars.
Hill City Popcorn will be opening in a new spot soon. We’ll tell you when & where!
Lot 9 Billiards will have food, folks!
Sunday is the Miracle League of NWA’s Burger Competition. We’ll tell you all about it!
The World Champion Squirrel Cookoff happened in front of record crowds. We’ll tell you about the winners!
Get your tickets NOW if you’re planning to goto BITE NWA!
Stone Mill Café is permanently closing one of their spots. We’ll tell you which one.
Onyx at the Preserve opens to full capacity today!
On today’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Onyx at the Preserve Executive Chef Arturo Solis about getting into the family business when he was young. Wait until you hear the business!
Julio & Adrian Leonardo opened La Media Luna ALMOST a decade ago in Johnson. For those that have been, you know how different some of their food is from other area Mexican restaurants. They’ll explain why. Also, Julio came to Fayetteville from Hidalgo Mexico. He opened another restaurant before La Media Luna that he still operates. He’ll tell you which one. And finally, what does La Media Luna mean? They’ll tell you about it and more and that’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast.

In this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Fayetteville at 1834 Tavern Lafayette talking with Co-owner Stephanie Ouyoumjian, but before we hear from her?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Herman’s Ribhouse reopened last week. Owner Nick Wright will tell you about the turnout and his new partner- a Razorback legend.
Nola’s Pantry is temporarily closed in downtown Rogers. We’ll tell you why.
We have news on the soon-to-be Memo’s Taco’s in the old Angus Jack’s space in Springdale.
Kai officially opened in Fayetteville last week. We’ll tell you the hours.
AQ Chicken made a national publication!
Mothership Brewhouse Kitchen has reopened in Springdale.
Kaylee’s Bakery & Mercantile opens this Saturday in Highfill.
You can still enter the 2nd annual rib competition at Centerton Days 2026!
Find out what all you’ll be able to do on Saturday at the World Championship Squirrel Cookoff and hear how it started 15 years ago in this week’s Flavors Flashback!
Stephanie Ouyoumjian and her husband Matt Taylor are both well-accomplished in their fields, and they’re started to become accomplished in another- owning and operating a Belgian Tavern. They opened 1834 Tavern Lafayette in March and haven’t looked back. Stephanie will tell you about the concept, which is unusual to Fayetteville, but becoming more and more familiar to those that eat there. They had a specific vision for the place and needed a chef that could deliver. They’ll tell you how they landed Executive Chef David Fisher, and how he’s over-delivered. She’ll also talk about his unusual training once he took the job. We’ll also talk about the food and the inspirations behind the menu. And finally?  Belgium beer! That’s next on this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.