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