Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Rogers at Toot Beirut talking with Owner & Chef Khalid Alkatib and Manager Tony Van Waning, but before we hear from them?!?! FOOD NEWS!!! Memo’s Taco Shop is coming to Springdale! We’ll tell you where! Las Palmas on Sunset has closed, but it’s only temporary. We’ll tell you why! Say goodbye to Applebee’s in Springdale. It’s a wrap for Feltner’s Watta Burger. Taste of Rogers happens this week. We’ll tell you when! Strawberry Fest happens this weekend in downtown Fayetteville! Bites on B Street happens Saturday in Bentonville. We’ll tell you about it! In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Paula Jo Chitty Henry about starting the first food truck in Bentonville. You know it as Crepes Paulette! Khalid Alkatib is from a family of restauranteurs. He moved to Northwest Arkansas and immediately opened a restaurant, where he prides himself on the authenticity of their Middle Eastern food. How did he end up in NWA? Oh, and do you want to see something impressive? Look at their google reviews. Few in our area can boast what they’ve got. He’ll talk about the early days of putting together the menu as well as what’s most popular on it. We hear from Khalid Alkatib and Toot Beirut Manager Tony Van Waning next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, I’m John Engleman- thanks for being here, and happy early St. Patty’s Day. In this week’s edition, we’re in Bentonville, talking with Paulo Piraino and Yulia Batalina, the owners of The Cellar on B Street, but before we get to them?!?! FOOD NEWS!! We now know when Ria Pizza opens in downtown Rogers. 1834 Tavern Lafayette opens in Fayetteville soon... VERY soon. The Purple Cow opens in Rogers! Benny’s Bagels opened last week in Fayetteville. Honed In Sharpening now has a brick-and-mortar. Capriotti’s opens in Springdale. Goodcents announces when they’ll be opening in Fayetteville. A third Chipotle is coming to Fayetteville. Bethel Brew has news about their Farmington location. News on Bucks of Asia in Fayetteville. Happy 30th Anniversary to Susan’s Restaurant in Springdale! They’re giving away something sweet today!! Third Space Coffee turns three! Rein celebrated their 2nd anniversary! Chefs in the Garden is slated for May 19! In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we hear from Blu Fresh Fish Marketplace’s Barry Furuseth. He cut his teeth in selling fish in DC, San Francisco, and LA, and then talks about moving to NWA. Have you ever wanted to open a bottle shop in your own house? Paulo Piraino and Yulia Batalina are certified sommeliers, and that’s what they did. It’s called The Cellar on B Street, which has a wine club and carries specialty foods. Before The Cellar on B Street, they started a wine and dinner pairing company that they’ll talk about. It gets VERY specific. They come from different countries and have different paths for getting into wine, which is what connected them. They’ll tell us that story. Now married and expecting, they’ll tell us how they ended up in Northwest Arkansas for the second time and stayed. That’s on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Hello all, and welcome to this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, I’m John Engleman, thanks for being here. Yesterday marked two years since I published my very first Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast. Thank you so much for joining along the way as these past 2 years have been and amazing journey and a true professional passion. I’m super-fortunate to be able to do this... Truly, thank you. And I was also lucky to be able to sit down with Executive Chef Caleb Carter of Louise at Thaden Field. But before we talk to him?!?! (*FOOD NEWS*) We kick off Food News with BREAKING NEWS!! We know who is moving into Levi’s Gastropub’s old spot in downtown Rogers! We’ll hear from the owner/executive chef! Yankabilly Smokehouse has reopened as Yankabilly on the Creeks. We’ll hear from them about the change! The Kitchens at Olive and Barley are open- we’ll tell you about the shared kitchens and hear from one of the owners. Whole Foods in Rogers opened to a packed house! Fry Bentonville is officially open! Sooie, a new bar on Dickson will open soon. Smalls Sliders is coming to Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Bentonville! Siplab will be opening soon in Bentonville. Happy 55th anniversary to Patrick’s Burgers & happy 7th anniversary to The First Seat! Find out who won the 24th Annual Brewski’s Chili Cookoff and hear what they had to say about it. Caleb Carter is a Bentonville guy, having been raised there and working his way through the business there... He started in fast food, but then got the best chef-u-cation from some of the best chefs in Northwest Arkansas... He talks about that and some changes coming to Louise at Thaden Field, and much more... That’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking with Mark Smith and Dan Clous of Natural State Beer Company, but before we get to them?!?! FOOD NEWS!!! The Hive at 21C made a prominent national magazine. We’ll tell you what magazine and why they’re in there! Speaking of The Hive, they’re now selling tickets for their No Kid Hungry Fundraiser. We’ll tell you how and where to get them. Zelli Pasta has a new home! Co-owner Mitchell Owen will tell us what’s different about it. Desi Fusion opened in Springdale on Monday. We’ll hear from owner Lucky Sadthra about their fare. NYC Express Deli opened their second location- their first in Benton County. We’ll tell you where! The soon-to-be AQ Chicken House had folks over yesterday for graffiti. Kind of. We’ll explain. We MIGHT have a grand opening date or week for Ozark Charcuterie & Wine Bar’s cheese and wine shop in Rogers. Brewski’s and Natural State Beer Company have Chili Cookoff’s soon! If you’ve been missing Renzo’s Italian Steakhouse, there’s now a way to have it! Happy anniversary to Bella’s Table and Dodo Coffee! In this week’s Flavors Flashback, we’re talking about hairy pasta! True story. Mark Smith and Dan Clous met in a home brewing club here in Northwest Arkansas. Their love for a unique certain style of brewing eventually led to them getting into business with each other. They talk about how they found their peaceful and serene spot to build their brewery. Once you’re there, you don’t feel like you’re a quarter mile from I-49. Soon after opening, they had to survive covid. You’ll hear how they did it, and they were able to because of their location. Also, Dan had to leave NWA for a few years, and you’ll hear why. Oh, and that Chili-cookoff. Taproom manager Haley Arnell will give you the lowdown. And finally, the beers. We had a live-to-tape taste-test, and I do NOT regret it. That’s all next here in the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this bonus episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we talk to my old friend Channing Barker. She’s the Event Chair for AACF Soup Sunday at the Rogers Convention Center happening Sunday at 4:00. You can get tickets by going to the bio of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Instagram page, I’ve got the link there. You can also follow the link from AACF Soup Sunday’s social media. It’s the 25th anniversary of the event in Northwest Arkansas, and Channing tells us about Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. When we recorded, we also knew some of the soups that these restaurants would be serving there, and you’ll hear all about them! Available wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re talking to Tamara Keefe. She’s the Founder & CEO of Clementine’s Ice Cream which just opened in Bentonville, but before we get to her?!?! FOOD NEWS!! Huntsville Baker Hannah’s Cake Co made the Queen of Country’s 80th birthday cake! We’ll her from the cake-maker! Slim Chickens is building a donation to No Kid Hungry The Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company’s Third Annual Chili Cookoff was won with a family recipe. Ping Pong for Paws is back at Ozark Beer Company. We’ll tell you how to get signed up. The Artemis Temperance Lounge opened last week in Fayetteville. It’ll be many things. Tamara Keefe was saved by ice cream twice in her life, once as a kid an again as an adult. The Owner, Founder and CEO of Clementine’s Ice Cream has been professionally successful twice in life, but the first time wasn’t NEAR fulfilling. It took a come to Jesus with her closest friends to help her realize that. And that was the start of Clementine’s Ice Cream. She took her executive marketing skills, and some newly acquired DIY skills and got to work. She’ll tell you how she got her name out there while she was making her ice cream at home. Also, what was it like for her building out her first ice cream parlor? And how did she get her newest spot on the Walmart campus? We talk to Tamara Keefe of Clementine’s Ice Cream on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas...

On this Bonus Episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking about the inaugural Downtown Rogers Restaurant Weekend with Sam Danneberg, Director of Downtown Development. As of the taping of the podcast on Wednesday, there were 12 restaurants participating in the weekend (with more to follow). Some restaurants designated a special plate for the weekend, while some spots are trying something new for their menus. If you plan on going this weekend, or know something that is, send them the link so that they can get a better idea as to who is serving what. For an updated, you can go here: https://www.destinationrogers.com/downtown-rogers-restaurant-weekend/

Happy New Year!!! In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Natural State Rabbit President & CEO Brian Bonk. He runs what’s basically 2 companies in one – selling rabbit meat for food and the biologics side where parts of the rabbit are used in medicine and other things. Also with us are rabbit evangelists Mike Robertshaw and Meredith Butler of Pizzeria Ruby... but first!?! FOOD NEWS!!! Black Apple Hard Cider closed at the start the year Crabby’s in Rogers also closed at the start of the year and are offering refunds for gift cards sold during their December promotion. KDK’s Chicken & Waffles in Fayetteville will open later than planned. Hear when the Botanical in Fayetteville will open! Also, Artemis next door is soon-to-open! Rendezvous Junction Brewing is holding a chili cookoff. We tell you how to compete in it. Buster Belly’s old location on Dickson is getting a new tenant. On this week’s Flavors Flashback, hear the horror that was the week leading up to the opening of Gaskins on Emma. Natural State Rabbits resides in downtown Rogers and is the largest supplier of rabbit to restaurants in the country. They’re also a biologics company. They use parts of rabbits for medicine and other things around the nation and the world. It’s a pretty amazing story and FULL of history as the company started in 1911. We had the conversation at Pizzeria Ruby, as their relationship with Natural State Rabbit started before it was even called that. In fact, there was no Pizzeria Ruby at that point, and they were operating a food truck! How they got connected is a fun story. By the way, we were feasting on rabbit tenders during the interview and they were so good. I’ve recently become a fan of rabbit – if you haven’t tried it yet, think chicken but grass-fed and leaner. It’s SO GOOD. They’re offering OUR listeners and followers 15% off their starter variety box, just use “FLAVORS” as the discount code at nsrabbitmeat.com. That includes free shipping, or you can hop over to downtown Rogers and pick it up if you’d like. We hear from Natural State Rabbit President & CEO Brian Bonk, and Pizzeria Ruby’s Mike Robertshaw and Meredith Butler in today's edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.