Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re with Garyn and Mia Folden. Yes, we interviewed them back in 2024, our 23rd episode ever, but things have changed, and now, they’ve finally got their own spot, Cura Osteria in downtown Rogers. But first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Casa Alejo is about to open in Fayetteville. We’ll hear from them!
• A golden ticket to the World Food Championships was given out this weekend to the winner of Premier Chef NWA in Rogers. We’ll hear from the winner!
• SoFresh is officially open in Rogers!
• The Sundry Hotel in downtown Springdale is scheduled to open in early July. We’ll tell you about the restaurant coming in, and when it’ll open!
• Dot’s Hot Chicken and Viet Buffet have served their last meals.
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we’re talking to the Mayorga family about starting the first Casa Alejo in Springdale!

Garyn and Mia Folden worked their way up and through the restaurant world with an eye and a goal to being where they are now. From how Garyn started cooking in Nebraska to meeting his wife Mia in NWA, to doing pop-ups, to getting an education in New York, and getting their first regulars in a 6-seat provisions store, and to finally having their own place now at Cura Osteria in downtown Rogers. We walk the path with them and find out what Northern Italian food is, and no, it’s not chicken parm, and that’s on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

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.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Cave Springs sitting with Zach Reeves and talking about Pizza Cave on Main, but before we get to that?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

5 GRAND OPENINGS THIS WEEK (AND MAYBE A 6TH?!?!)

• Blu in DTR is reopening. We’ll tell you when and how to get a table!
• Gusano’s is opening this week in the old King Burrito spot in Fayetteville at Joyce & College.
• Heavenly Acai in Rogers is opening this week as well! We’ll tell you when and about their mission!
• A coffee shop is opening at Sassafras in Springdale? We’ll tell you all about it!
• Cable Car Pizza is opening at their original spot in Fayetteville!
• Kaylee’s bakery in Highfill announced their grand opening. Not this week, but SOON!
• The Apple’s Thai-Nee Food truck is closing... to open a restaurant in Springdale!
• Romero’s Cuisine Toque Latino announced where they’ll be opening their second spot!
• Onyx will have weekend pop-ups... in London?!?! Oui!
• The first Ozarks Flame and Flavor Festival is in the books. We’ll hear from one of the winners!
• Happy 3rd anniversary to House 1830!
• Happy first anniversary to Springdale Pool Lounge!
• In today’s Flavor Flashback, we hear what got Blu’s Barry Furuseth to move from LA to NWA!

Zach Reeves started working in the hospitality industry at the tender age of 14 in a dish pit. It didn’t take long before he was hooked. He continued with hospitality while also working in some construction, but he was always drawn back. He worked his way up at Crabby’s and stayed for 15 years. How long had he been thinking about opening his own spot and why Cave Springs? He’ll talk about that, the location, and how he bought it. Also? Their popular sourdough pizza dough, along with the wings, drinks, pool, darts, and much more on this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Bella Vista resident, and three-time League of Fire World Champion in competitive pepper eating Stephen “Fiery Redd” Curgan. We’ll talk about what got him into competitive pepper eating and we’ll also talk about the first-ever Ozark Flame & Flavor Festival happening this Saturday, but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Orthodox Farmhouse Brewing sold. We’ll tell you what the plans are.
• Dodo Coffee is OFFICIALLY open in their new building, and there’s a party Saturday. We’ll hear from owner Isaiah Ojeda!
• Fresh Monkee is having their soft opening week in Fayetteville. Shakes are half off!
• A Santa Barbara winery opened their only tasting room in Rogers. You’ll hear from the owner!
• Khana Grill closed their dining room, but you can still eat their food. We’ll explain.
• Downtown Springdale’s The Blind Bear is expanding into another city.
• El Jaliciense in Lowell might be closed, but they may not be done.
• Happy 25th anniversary to Grubs in downtown Fayetteville!
• Happy 31st anniversary to Marketplace in Springdale!
• Happy 4th anniversary to Conifer and Chef Matt Cooper. Speaking of Chef Cooper, he has something BIG coming in 2027!
• Again, Speaking of Chef Cooper, he was out fifth interview EVER. He broke a little news on our show back then.

Stephen “Fiery Redd” Curgan is a 3-Time League of Fire World Champion... He eats peppers that a VERY high percentage of us wouldn’t touch. How did he get into it? It all started online- he’ll explain. Also, how do you make your way to being a World Champion in it in only 2 years? It’s an interesting path for sure! Finally, this Saturday is the first-ever Ozark Flame & Flavor Festival in Bentonville at the Record, and you’ll hear all about in this episode \of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest podcast, we’re at the beloved Piehouse Bakery in Bentonville, talking with owner Lisa Sohl and Manager/Pastry Chef Annie Wood, but before we hear from them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!

If you don’t have plans yet for Friday, or even if you do, I’ve got something you need to get to. It’s the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives Watch Party at the Botanical at City Pump in Downtown Rogers!! Both Blu Fish House and Toot Beirut will be on Friday night’s episode! I’ll kick it off at 7 with Toot Beirut and Blu trivia. Then the episode starts at 8. The folks from Toot Beirut will be there with food, so if you haven’t had it yet, prime time to try it. And hustle, because it’ll run out! Again, Friday night at 7 at the Botanical at City Pump at 623 West Walnut in downtown Rogers. See you there!

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• We talk to Springdale’s Carnitas Los Cuatro Hermanos about being in the NY Times
• Bienvenue is open to the public in Rogers! We’ll hear from Owner/Executive Chef Will Mauk!
• Nosh Nola had a big opening weekend in downtown Springdale! We’ll hear from Owner Hayne Begley!
• Herman’s Ribhouse is working to re-open!
• Fayetteville’s Hill City Popcorn is back open with a new owner and new plans!
• Fresh Monkee announces their soft opening dates in Fayetteville. It’s SOON.
• The popular Dodo Coffee Trailer is closed this week. We’ll tell you what they’re saying.
• A new bakery opens in Highfill soon! We’ll hear from the owner.
• Is your burger better than everyone else’s? You might be able to make it to the World Championships in Indianapolis. We’ll tell you where to sign up.
• Happy 30th anniversary to Bordinos! You can win Bordinos for a year this week!
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback. Bienvenue Chef Will Mauk tells us his path into cooking.

Piehouse Bakery Owner Lisa Sohl was raised on a Nebraska farm with a big family. She learned how to cook and bake out of necessity. While college took her to the corporate world, she always baked for others and became an office favorite. How did she end up in Northwest Arkansas, and how did she decide that it was time to finally start a bakery? Also, her most important early hire almost spooked her. She’ll talk about that. Finally, they earned a golden ticket to the World Food Championships for winning a state championship pie competition on the other side of the state. We hear all about it from Lisa and Annie Wood, next here on the flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking about the Bentonville Restaurant Week with Visit Bentonville’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Alison Nation. It happens next week (August 16-22), and we cover all the deals that participating Bentonville restaurants are offering.

Go out, and enjoy... and as always, please tip your servers!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Bentonville at Chick’n Headz, talking with owners Byron & Natasha Kendle, but before we sit down with them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

• Here come the grand openings! Saltine’s Bakery & Kitchen announces when they’ll open!
• Flyway Brewing opened their Bentonville location on the Walmart campus. CEO/COO Rob Byford talks about their growth in the northwest part of the state.
• Aida’s is a Saturday night only spot in the 8th Street Market. We’ll tell you about it!
• Punk Truck Stop is diversifying business in Fayetteville’s Metro District!
• Bienvenue’s Will Mauk talks about getting their Rogers spot turned around QUICKLY.
• Whole Hog Café turns 26, and we’re all going to party like it’s 2000 (literally)!
• Bucks on Emma celebrates a decade on Saturday – we have the deets!
• Foghorns on 15th street closed last weekend.
• It’s your last chance to eat from the Blazin Asian food truck.
• Nosh Nola opens VERY soon, and in today’s Flavors Flashback, you’ll hear from owner/operator Hayne Begley, who took some time away from the restaurant life for a little stability. You’ll never guess what he did for a living!

Byron & Natasha Kendle are high school sweethearts from Little Rock. What brought them here is what brings many people here- Walmart. They both come from big families and have a pretty big one themselves. Though they have corporate backgrounds, there was a little restaurant experience and their recall from it’s pretty funny. They’d always kicked around the idea of a restaurant, but it wasn’t ever real. Until one day, and it’s a story where their bluff got called, and they had to figure everything out on the spot. It’s a great story. Finally, why the move from Fayetteville to Bentonville? It may not be what you think- you’ll hear the reasons on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

WELCOME TO EPISODE 150 of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!!! We’re spending it at the legendary Bordinos in Fayetteville talking with co-owner Molly Allison and they’re celebrating Bordinos 30th anniversary, but before we get into that?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• We’re hosting a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives watch party on Friday at 7! Both Mezzaluna and Saiwok will be in this episode! Come watch with us!
• Chef Mauk announces the grand opening date for Bienvenue on today’s podcast!
• Speaking of Bienvenue, Nosh Nola is about to open in their old spot in Downtown Springdale!
• Arkansas Trails Brewing Company opened over the weekend in a VERY significant building. Owners Audrey & Adam Jones will explain.
• It’s Tontitown Grape Festival Week!
• Bloom Cheese Collective officially opened their front room remodel and opened a wheel of cheese the next day!
• This is the final week for Los Compas Margaritatown’s physical location, and they’re partying!
• In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we go back to Chef Will Mauk from Bienvenue who tells us where he worked when he came to NWA.

Jeff and Molly Allison had the opportunity to buy Bordinos in 2020 when Joe Fennell decided to sell and retire. Molly will tell you that story. Also, 30 years!!! Molly will tell you how they plan to celebrate and it happens soon! Finally, something that they didn’t see coming... Covid. They hadn’t owned Bordinos for even two months when that started. Molly tells us what they did to survive, and that’s in this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Bentonville at Turnbuckle Farm with the dynamic duo of Melissa & Adam Milsap, who have a great story to tell, but before thy do?!?!

FOOD NEWS!

• Gaskins Trattoria officially opens TODAY! We’ll hear from owners Lisa Provencio-Jones and Bert Jones.
• 4 Benton County restaurants will be on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives next month!
• La Cabanita will soon open in downtown Springdale. We’ll hear from one of the owners.
• KAI will take Wasabi’s former spot on Dickson Street in Fayetteville.
• The new La Familia Taco drive-thru in Farmington is CRUSHING.
• Siloam Springs is getting Indian Food!
• Made Market in Rogers made an announcement over the weekend. We’ll tell you what it is!
• A local restaurant group has diversified their portfolio in a big way. We’ll tell you about Red Light Retreat and who owns it!
• A Woodstone Craft Pizza Chef can win a BIG contest with your vote.
• Happy 5 years to Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company, as they turned 5 this weekend!
• Speaking of Rendezvous, in this week’s Flavors Flashback, we go back to last year’s podcast with them and hear about Owner Mike Peerson health problems before they opened. They were worse than you could imagine.

Adam and Melissa Milsap grew up in Springfield, Missouri, got married there and started urban farming there in what wasn’t a good place. In fact, it was the 2nd worst area in Springfield, and at times could be dangerous. You’ll hear the story about how the community and the city gathered and rallied for them to be able to change the area into a farm! And how did they end up in Northwest Arkansas? It’s hard to leave a place you love, especially one that’s been home for your whole life. They’ll tell the story. They’ll talk about how they found their land in Bentonville-or Bentonvista as they call it. And on the food side? We’ll hear what they’re growing, and also? They have a Chef-driven food truck on-site, and it’s popular. I think I know why, as I had an all-local egg and chorizo biscuit from there and it was an absolute flavor-bomb. Chef Simon talks about that in the food segment, as well as chef dinners there. In the creek. True story, and you’ll hear all about it from them next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the Vagabond Coffee Bar in Bella Vista talking with co-owner/operator J.W. Gerike and his awesome story, but before we talk to him?!?

FOOD NEWS!!

• We’re heading into the final weekend of Fayetteville Restaurant Week
• Art of Wine is this Friday and bigger than ever!
• The Muse is a new cocktail bar in downtown Fayetteville.
• If you’re a good salsa-maker, do I have a competition for you at Brewski’s!
• Longtime Herman’s Ribhouse stalwart has opened Possum Creek Bistro food truck
• There’s a new restaurant at Prairie Creek Marina. We’ll tell you about Yaya’s Waterside!
• Bella Vista has a new bottle shop! We’ll hear from the owner of the Little Bear Café.
• Dum & Grill is up and rolling in Bentonville.
• There will be 2 new restaurants in the new Visionaries building in Rogers.
• Bites & Bowls is downsizing in Springdale.
• Los Compas Margaritatown is going back to their roots... soon.
• Kung Fu Tea’s location in Rogers is for sale.
• A pizza place on Dickson Street has shut down.
• Happy anniversary to La Favorita in Siloam, The Blind Bear in downtown Springdale, and Pizzeria Ruby in Johnson!
• Speaking of Pizzeria Ruby, in this week’s Flavors Flashback, we go back to our podcast with them last October where they talked about getting the doors open 5 years ago. Sidenote for you, there’s some salty language in this Flashback, so earmuffs for the kids!!!.

Speaking of Covid, that changed the career trajectory for JW Gerike. By trade, he was a physical therapist in Ft. Worth, but Covid hit, and his hours weren’t conducive to family life. Hear him talk about why he picked coffee. What were his first steps? Have you seen his 1979 Peugeot Coffee Van? Funny story about how he acquired that. At least he can laugh about it now. Speaking of, once getting established, he got some pretty cool gigs in Texas, including supplying coffee on a movie set. You won’t believe which one. And then, the move to Bella Vista. How did they find it, and why did they make the move? And finally, after a very popular trailer at Tanyard Creek, they open a storefront. Some great stories coming your way in this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the Walton Arts Center with Events Manager Whitlee Douthitt talking Art of Wine! There are some new elements to this year’s event, which is happening THIS Friday from 7-9:30.

We kick it off with the record number of vendors this year- you won’t BELIEVE the number!

There are retail opportunities that include getting a flash tattoo, take a tintype photo and more.

Plus, if you’re like me, you didn’t get close to seeing the whole event last year. You can download the new Art of Wine app, and you’ll be able to see where you are, what what’s available, because let’s be honest, the Walton Arts Center is huge, and you can get lost easily. You can also win during the event! You can get the app here: https://art-of-wine.vercel.app/.

Finally, Whitlee tells you where to get your tickets, and what the cost of the tickets goes to.

It’s all on this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.