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!!

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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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!!!

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!!

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!

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!!

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.

In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we sit with Experience Fayetteville's VP of Marketing & Communications, Brannon Pack. We talk all things Fayetteville Restaurant Week, including those offering prix fixe menu's, who's offering half-off, who's being creative and some of our favorite offerings (and more). 

To see who's participating, and what they're offering, go here: https://www.experiencefayetteville.com/restaurant-week 

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re in Bentonville talking to Rebecca & Jay Davitt, the owners of Stoic Brews Alternative, but before we hear from them?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Rebecca and Jay Davitt started Stoic Brews Alternative back in March of 2025. For those that don’t know, Stoic brews gluten-free beer, and all their food is gluten-free as well. Rebecca has been on a gluten-free diet for a decade and Jay wanted to brew beer. Rebecca didn’t want to do it until she found out that she could do it gluten-free, and with her food science background, a monster was created!

Speaking of which, Rebecca struggled with imposter syndrome. She’ll tell you why.

Also, how did they find such a great spot? It’s the old Pedaler’s Pub, and they’ll tell you that story.

Finally, you don’t know what you don’t know. They’ll talk about being ill-prepared to go through the emotions of seeing people have their first beer in over a decade because of gluten allergies and tear up. They go over that and so much more, on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.