Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

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.

I usually forget to do this here but wanted to make sure to ask you to subscribe to the podcast and rate it. I know that some watch on YopuTube and some listen. Every subscription and like helps. We appreciate it very much. In this week’s edition, we talk to Kentedra Kentrice, also known as Keke. She owns and operates Kou’Sins Social Lounge in Bentonville, where we’ll talk all things hanging, food and bev, but first??

FOOD NEWS!!

Kentedra Kentrice, or Keke, moved to Northwest Arkansas to work for Walmart after working for them in the Atlanta area. Once here, she realized that Bentonville was missing something. A place where you can go out, not have to pay an arm and a leg, and just hang with some good food and drink. She talks about her professional past, her FIRST profession (you’ll never guess), and what happened in the week leading up to opening Kou’Sins. There was some panic involved and she’ll talk about how she got the doors open, and that’s on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

Well hello 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 in downtown Rogers at Nola’s Pantry where we talk with owner Alicen Rumsey and her daughter Melanie Keller, but before we sit with them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Alicen Rumsey started Nola’s Pantry because of a hot sauce. Well, not really, but it prompted something in her, and she grew the idea further to open a specialty food store. That’s not what it is now, but Alicen will explain that pivot. Speaking of that, if you look on their menu, you’ll see influence of Alicen’s daughter Melanie, who you’ll also hear from. Finally, Alicen is a tweaker – no, not that kind, but she’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of... tweaking. That and MUCH MORE is next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we took a different direction – a little out of the norm for us. We talked to Nick Ferguson, an Englishman who lives in Pea Ridge, and owned and operated restaurants and bars in Vietnam. It’s going to be story time, but before we hear from Nick?

FOOD NEWS!!!

Nick Ferguson shot me a Facebook message last August from Vietnam. Said that he was moving here after owning and running restaurants over there. He met his wife in college in England, and she went to Bentonville High School. You’ll hear him talk about working for English pub landlords, to opening a vegan brunch spot in the mountains of Vietnam, and much more, 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 Rogers at the new Chuo Izakaya, talking to some seasoned vets- Owner Darwin Beyer, Head Chef Colin Stewart and Beverage Director Shaun Traxler. But first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Chuo Izakaya has been a long time coming for Co-Owner Darwin Beyer. In his pursuit of building a Japanese Tavern experience in Northwest Arkansas, he was able to surround himself with some exceptionally experienced folks, including Head Chef Colin Stewart and Beverage Director Shaun Traxler. We’ll hear from all three about how they got to Chuo Izakaya, we’ll hear about the menu, including what’s new, and we’ll also hear about the sickly creative drinks coming from Shaun. Lastly, they’re starting something new there, and you’ll hear about it here, first. And that’s on this week's edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

In today’s episode 140 of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Henry Francis of Evergreen Pasture & Provisions- what a story they have... but before we sit with Henry?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

Henry & Kylee Francis own Evergreen Pasture & Provisions. They started by selling their beef at the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market and were overwhelmed by the response they were getting. Since then? They’ve opened a storefront in the gorgeous Berryville Square, where they sell regional goods including some from local producers. And now? Delivery to most of Northwest Arkansas, with all coming shortly. We’ll hear how Henry and Kylee met, how they ended up in Berryville, and how you can get your product on their shelves. That’s next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

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In this Special Edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we learn about the first year of Chefs & Fire benefitting Apple Seeds in Fayetteville. It’ll be happening Sunday, June 14 and tickets are going SUPER fast. To get yours, goto https://appleseedsar.org/events and HURRY!

In this episode, we are joined by Mary Thompson, Executive Director of Apple Seeds, Jerrmy Gawthrop, co-owner/executive chef of Woodstone Pizza, and Elliot Hunt, owner/executive chef of Atlas the Restaurant.

We talk about the concept of the evening, cooking over open flame and who will be joining Jerrmy and Elliot over open flame. That list includes Brooks & Ali Cameron of Bloom Cheese Collective, Sam Walker of Gaskins on Emma, Darwin Beyer of Meiji & Chuo Izakaya, Matt Cooper of Conifer & Ryn. Handshake will also be there for the wood-fired desserts and Crisis Brewing will be there with beer!

Thanks for listening!

In week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Columbus House Brewery in Fayetteville talking with co-owner Carey Ashworth – but before we talk with her?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

The Columbus House Brewery has already been open for over a decade! Carey Ashworth and Jason Corral have taken a smallish 3-barrel system and absolutely run with it. Carey talks about the freedom that they have with their setup. Also, did you know that they initially looked to open at a Fayetteville landmark? Carey will tell you which one. Finally, Carey and Jason have grown a community at Columbus House, which was something that Carey had never had growing up as a military kid. She’ll tell that story and much more, on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Alex Thaley of The Botanical at 8th and A in Bentonville, Botanical at City Pump in downtown Rogers, The Botanical in Fayetteville and formerly of the Artemis Temperance Lounge in Fayetteville. There’s plenty to talk about with Alex, but before we do...

FOOD NEWS!!

Alex Thaley is the owner/operator of the Botanical bars in Bentonville, Downtown Rogers and in Fayetteville... He also owned the Artemis Temperance Lounge, and last week, after 5 months of operation, he closed it down. He’ll tell us the story behind that. Also, the decision to leave corporate America to run a bar, OF COURSE he’s got stories about that. Roofer, teacher, tech guy, business builder, and now bar entrepreneur... We talk to Alex Thaley, next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.