Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

Chef Matt Cooper (Conifer & Ryn) and Chef Rafael Rios (Yeyo's, Casa Magnolia & Bauhaus Biergarten)

In this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Chef’s Matt Cooper and Rafael Rios about being 2 of the 5 finalists for Best Chef of the South at the James Beard Awards. They made the trip to Chicago for the awards, and they’ll tell us about their trip, food trends here locally and nationally, and what’s next for them... but before we get to that!!
FOOD NEWS!!
Art of Wine is Friday night!
Goat Lab Brewery is opening up a new concept in Fayetteville.
A new cocktail bar opens in downtown Springdale TODAY! We’ll hear about the Blind Bear!
Nomads Southtown is closing in Fayetteville. Hear what their plans are.
A popular local fast food burger chain has closed their doors.
Happy 3 year anniversary to Crème Ice Cream!
Wright’s Barbeque has closed their Johnson location temporarily. We’ll tell you why.
Outlaw Pizza Co. is now in a brick and mortar! We’ll tell you where!
Conifer & Ryn Chef and owner Matt Cooper and Yeyo’s, Bauhaus Biergarten and Casa Magnolia Chef & Owner Rafael Rios were the first in Arkansas to make it to the final 5 in the Best Chef of the South category at the James Beard Awards, an unbelievable feat for them, for Arkansas and more specifically Northwest Arkansas. 
They talk about their trip to Chicago, and the lead up to the awards. Keep in mind, the top chef of the south category includes 5 states and Puerto Rico... Chefs Rios and Cooper will tell us how other chefs reacted when they told them that they were from Bentonville. As mentioned earlier, they see some trends coming both for Northwest Arkansas and the rest of the country. They’ll tell us about those.
And finally, what’s next for both chefs? You know that great restauranteurs and chefs rarely sit still... some big plans coming for both, and you’ll hear from them next, right here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

*Bonus Edition* Art of Wine Week

It’s officially the very popular Art of Wine week at Walton Arts Center! The event takes place Friday night from 8 to 11.
We interviewed the Walton Arts Center Events Manager Whitlee Douthitt about the event. How many vendors will be there, what does the event benefit, and how can you get tickets?
That’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

R.G. Macon & Carson Apple Brandy

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast we talk with Kyle Alexander of R.G. Macon and Carson Apple Brandy, and their story goes back into the 1800’s in Bentonville. But before we hear from Kyle??
FOOD NEWS!!
We’ll hear about the new steakhouse atop the Hotel Avail in Rogers, Oak Steakhouse. If you’re watching on YouTube, prepare for some gorgeous views
The original Slim Chickens will reopen soon with a new concept.
According the Axios NWA, the volume of craft beer sold by Arkansas breweries is dominated by NWA.
Cobblestone Farms is looking for their next leader.
The Feral Pig made it official last Sunday!
Airship Coffee has opened on the Walmart Campus, we’ll tell you where and what to expect.
Dodo Coffee has broken ground in Fayetteville.
Happy Anniversary to the Venesian Inn and Gaskins on Emma!
Back in the late 1800’s, R.G. Macon & Carson made Apple Brandy just off the Bentonville square, in a dry county where they couldn’t even sell a bottle legally.
Believe it or not, they got so popular in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s that they were the first nationally known entrepreneurs from Bentonville. How big did they get? You’ll hear. What happened to them when prohibition hit? It’s quite the story.
Kyle Alexander is one of the partners running Macon & Carson, and he knows their history better than anyone. He also tells us what’s going on with them today in this edition of Northwest Arkansas!

Bocca- Mike Rohrbach and John Harpool

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Bocca in Fayetteville talking with co-owner Mike Rohrbach and Executive Chef & GM John Harpool, but before we hear from them?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Bonchon has their grand opening tonight in Rogers!
The Oak Steakhouse is opening in Rogers at the New Hotel Avail.
Queen Donut’s opens this week in Fayetteville.
Black Apple Hard Cider is having a BIG birthday this weekend!
We talk to one of the owners of the soon-to-be new restaurant/brewery in Lowell, the Fermentary!
The Botanical family is growing!
King Burrito is headed back to Fayetteville
Waystone Pizza has closed in Fayetteville.
Mike Rohrbach was working away as co-owner of Flying Burrito and had no plans to open an authentic Italian restaurant. Enter his food salesman Keith Burmylo, who had different plans for himself and Rohrbach... You’ll hear how that materialized... it wasn’t quick...
And how about Executive Chef John Harpool? He got into food almost accidentally when he was back home one summer break from the U of A. You’ll hear what prompted him. Incidentally, it made him a VERY popular roommate back in college... You’ll hear about his first food job and what propelled him into being the top dog in the kitchen AND front of house at Bocca.
We talk to co-owner Mike Rohrbach and Executive Chef/General Manager John Harpool NEXT here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

MJ's Pizzeria- Miles James

In this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Chef Miles James- he of Ella’s at Inn at Carnal Hall, Inn at the Mill, James at the Mill, 28 Springs, and currently? MJ’s Pizzeria. We’ll hear from him shortly, but first?!?!
FOOD NEWS!
Not the night that we wanted here locally at the James Beard Awards.
Chef Matthew Cooper’s new restaurant Ryn will officially open tomorrow!
Archie’s Sandwichery opens soon. We’ll hear from the owner!
Bloom Cheese Collective has started their soft opening week. We’ll hear when they open for good!
Sicaru Coffee Roasters opened last week.
We now have a Peruvian restaurant in Rogers.
Queen Donuts should open soon in Fayetteville.
Taqueria Guanajuato just opened in a new location.
A new tea shop is opening soon in Fayetteville.
Miles James grew up in Northwest Arkansas and went to the U of A. He got his first job in a legendary Fayetteville restaurant when he was 14, and from there, he was hooked. After college, he decided on culinary school and then learned from some of the top chefs in the northeast and around the world. Chef James has some great stories about that.
Why did he come back to NWA? Opportunity, both professionally and personally. At the tender age of 26, he came home to open James at the Mill and Inn at the Mill in Johnson. His trajectory and life changed immensely because of 3 guests just having lunch one day. That’s when things truly took off. What a great story that is, and you’ll hear it from him.
And finally, his current baby, MJ’s Pizzeria. He’ll tell the story about how it started, and how they survived Covid. Also, I couldn’t believe it when he said it, but next month will be a decade for MJ’s- 10 years! And something’s on the horizon for the place.
Chef James will tell us that and much more, and that’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!    

La Hacienda & San Miguel Mexican Grill & Bar- Jesus Rodriguez

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at San Miguel Mexican Grill and Bar in Fayetteville talking with Jesus Rodriguez... but FIRST?!?!
FOOD NEWS!
Wu Zhao finally opens in Bentonville. We’ll hear from owners Barry Furuseth and Vincent Lim.
The 9th Downtown Springdale Street Dinner took place Saturday night.
Fossil Cove Brewing became a teenager!
It looks like a local Indian food chain has closed.
If you have a tip or have heard any food or beverage news, feel free to shoot me a note. Just look for Flavors of Northwest Arkansas on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. You can also shoot me an email at FlavorsOfNWA@Gmail.com.
Jose Rodriguez emigrated from a small town outside of San Miguel in Mexico and made his way to Houston to get into the restaurant business. He started at the very bottom and made his way from absolutely nothing. He met the love of his life in Houston and now some 40+ years later, their kids have kids, and though he doesn’t know what the word “retire” means, his kids have taken over their 2 restaurants. La Hacienda, named after the restaurant in Houston where he learned the trade, and San Miguel, of course the resort town near his hometown (and there might be something new on the way).
One of Jose’s sons, Jesus Rodriguez, grew up in Fayetteville as one of 6 kids, went to Brightwater, and now for the most part runs San Miguel... We hear from Jesus about how his family ended up in Arkansas from Houston... He’ll also tell us about growing up at La Hacienda, how and why he decided to go to Brightwater, and of course, we talk food.
That’s next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Goat Lab Brewery- Bill Adams & Alex Keltner

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Lowell for this episode at Goat Lab Brewery talking with owner Bill Adams and Promotions and Marketing Director Alex Keltner... but before we get to them?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Parlor Donuts is having their soft open week, We’ll hear from the owners about their Grand Opening!
We have an update on Mermaid’s in Rogers.
We talk to Jordan Wright of Wright’s BBQ about helping put together the first Bentonville BBQ Festival that happened Saturday!
Sicaru Coffee Roasters will open soon in Fayetteville. We have the deets.
What about Archie’s Sandwichery in Bentonville? We talked to the owner and have new details
You can now have nitrogen ice cream in NWA!
Tula is moving from the Fayetteville Square!
A New Orleans coffee shop is coming to Rogers.
Girls Gone BBQ will be closing soon.
Sakura Poke Sushi & Grill is now open in Fayetteville. We’ll hear from them.
Goat Lab Brewery in Lowell isn’t just a brewery. it’s a part of a complex that was inspired by owner Bill Adams time in the military while stationed in Germany. Of course, we all know about the Grove Comedy Club, but there’s more to the complex, and Bill will tell us all about it.
Also, why Lowell? If you’ve been around long enough, you’ll remember that the Grove was initially in Rogers, so why’d it move?
Finally, when getting Goat Lab together, Bill was extorted. He tells us what happened. It was a stressful time for sure.
Watch on YouTube or listen to wherever you get your podcasts!

*BONUS EDITION* Market Center of the Ozarks Grand Opening

In this bonus edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we cover the huge day yesterday for the Northwest Arkansas food community, specifically for those desiring easier access to fresh local food as well as food entrepreneurs who are looking for an inexpensive option for their food or drink production, as a very crowded Market Center of the Ozarks held their grand opening and ribbon cutting in downtown Springdale.  
Emily English is the Director of Northwest Arkansas Food Systems and the Senior Program Officer with the Walton Personal Philanthropy Group and explains the difference between the 2 operators of the facility.
Senator John Boozman was on hand and talked about the current plight of the farmer and how this facility could be an influence nationally.
One of the most important topics when planning the Market Center of the Ozarks was the location- why downtown Springdale? We’ll hear from Arkansas Food Innovation Center Executive Director Darryl Holliday.
If you’re a food entrepreneur, or are thinking about making your own product, we’ll tell you how to reach out!
We’ll have a podcast with the Arkansas Food Innovation Center team later this summer, where we’ll get knee deep into the ideation and what it took for the Market Center of the Ozarks to come to fruition.
Don’t forget, you can find us on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please subscribe, like and rate. If you’re new, check out our archives as we have over 70 interviews–mostly audio, but the past 3 months are video on YouTube.
And if you’re going out this weekend, please tip your servers and tip them well if they deserve it. They count on your more than you count on them.
Have a great weekend, we’ll see you next week.

Honed In Sharpening- Tyler Eck

On this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we have an interesting one- in fact, it’s been one that I’ve been curious about for some time. How do chefs get their knives sharpened? Do they send them off one-by-one? Do they do them themselves? We caught up with a local mobile knife sharpener to get the answers. We talk to Tyler Eck of Honed-In Sharpening. But before we do that?!?!
FOOD NEWS!!
Last week, the downtown Springdale Street Dinner picked their chef, and he’s set the menu. We’ll hear from Bienvenue’s William Mauk.
The Park House Kitchen and Bar took on serious roof damage in last week’s storms. They’re having a Raise the Roof party – we have the details!
There’s a new Italian restaurant in east Springdale. We’ll tell you about Palermo’s.
We tell you about the cohorts that won Cureate grants this year
The Market Center of the Ozarks opens this week!
It’s the week of the Bentonville BBQ Fest. You won’t believe how many competitors are coming to this event!
A new softserve/coffee trailer has opened at the 8th Street Market
Happy Anniversary today to Meiji!
Tyler Eck kind of fell into sharpening knives... it wasn’t what he originally wanted to do, but he was hoping that this would get him in the door to doing what he had originally wanted... Little did he know that sharpening is what he’d fall in love with.
He sharpens more than knives- if it’s got a sharp edge, chances are he can sharpen it. He’ll tell us the list of what he sharpens... so far.
And yes, you don’t have to be a professional chef or stylist to get you blades sharpened by Tyler, as he sharpened a few things for me... quickly. In fact, he does it during the interview.
We talk with Tyler Eck of Honed In Sharpening, next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Rogers Farmer's Market- Grant Wise, Brandee Howell, and Jessica Fiscus

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast we’re taking a bit of a left turn as we’re heading out to the Rogers Farmer’s Market where we had a bit of a roundtable, and we’ll get to that, BUT FIRST???
(*FOOD NEWS*)
Pesto’s By Lance closed yesterday. We’ll hear from Lance.
Both Renzo’s locations also close, but it might just be temporary
Taqueria Lucha opened on Dickson Street last week
The Apartment 7 Bar has opened in the space formerly known as WineU on 15th Street across the street from Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
There is now a Rudy’s BBQ in Fayetteville
Local Ice Cream is joining he Brick City Shops at Evelyn Hills
Mermaids in Rogers is opening soon. VERY soon.
France’s top Sommelier will be in Springdale at the end of the month!
A local bartender competes against the top 30 in the nation
We’ll hear about the new restaurant & bar at the New AC Hotel in Bentonville
The Bentonville Brewing Company turns 10!
Of course, we’re in Farmer’s Market Season here, and it’s a serious time of year for those that run them, and those that have booths. The Rogers Farmer’s Market got displaced by the tornado last year, but they’ve come back strong. Owner/operator Grant Wise took it over last year from his mother, carrying on the family tradition. But with that came new ideas, new marketing AND a new location – a very different one that’s paying off early... We hear from Grant, and two local vendors that basically plan their whole week around people “shoppin the shade.” If you don’t know what that means, you will shortly, right here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas...