Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at the Bloom Cheese Collective in Fayetteville talking with the supremely energetic co-owner Ali Kay Hammer Cameron, but first!!!

FOOD NEWS!!

Ali Kay Hammer Cameron entered the cheese world initially due to locational happenstance.  She lived near a cheese shop in Dallas that she fell in love with and eventually worked there. She’ll tell us about her budding love affair with cheese, and how she became a certified cheese professional...

After some time in North Carolina, she and her husband Brooks moved to Fayetteville to be closer to family, and build a family of their own... What made her want to start a cheese shop here? She tells the story about what it was that made her decide to do it.

Also, when putting together a cheese shop, what’s the most important part of it? And what cheeses do you start with? Finally, they have some big plans for 2026, and she lets us in on a fun one... that’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we’re in Fayetteville at Mockingbird Kitchen talking to co-owners Chrissy Sanderson & Leigh Helm, but before we get to them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

This month is a very momentous one for Mockingbird Kitchen. Chef Chrissy Sanderson and Leigh Helm opened the restaurant a decade ago this month! They’ll talk about what it was like getting the doors open back then, and how they’ve been able to thrive this long.

They’ll also talk about having to turn on a dime because of Covid. In fact, they’ll tell us about the day it happened, what it was like having to deal with something that you can’t prepare for, and how the community stepped up for them. Some fun stories there.

Finally, the food. Upscale, approachable, fresh and scratch-made. I had my introduction to stir-fried farro with shrimp, and I’m an evangelist now- and that Mockingbird Pie? We talk about that and more next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this Week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, we’re sitting down with the lovely Kori Stanton of Baked by Kori in both Rogers and Fayetteville – but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

We’ve got some openings to get to, more than usual, so let’s get to it!

Kori Stanton wanted to be a lawyer when she went to college. After a few weeks working at a law firm, she decided that it wasn’t the route for her. After college, she and her husband moved to New York City where they would raise their family and be for several decades. That’s also where Kori started her baking business. And boy, she caught fire. Her cookies were the Snack of the Day on the Rachel Ray Show, and that was great – and not-so-great. Kori will tell us why.

Also, what was it like starting a bakery in New York City where spots are already so established? A hint here- it’s all who you know. Also, what was it like living in NYC during 9/11?

And lastly, how did they end up in Northwest Arkansas?? We talk with Kori Stanton from Baked by Kori next here on the Flavor of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we talk to David Flores, owner/operator of Geraldi’s in Fayetteville and Pizza Navona in Farmington, but before we talk to him?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

David Flores is the owner/operator of longtime Fayetteville staple Geraldi’s, and a newer spot in Farmington, Pizza Navona. He’s not from here, but he’s been here long enough that he’s an Arkansan now. He started working for Mr. Geraldi a long time ago when he had a Giraldi’s in Oregon, and he started at the bottom. Mr. Giraldi opened several more spots in several more places around the country, and David ended up at the Geraldi’s in Eureka Springs. He’ll tell you about what got him there. He eventually moved to the Fayetteville location and would later take it over. As for Pizza Navona, David will tell you why he chose Farmington over Benton County for its location. Also, we’ll talk menu and future plans 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’re up in Bentonville at Nosh Nola inside the Bentonville Brewing Company, talking with owner Hayne Begley. This location won’t be his only spot for long as he’s opening another one soon, he’ll tell you about it, but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Hayne Begley started Nosh Nola after moving up from Little Rock. His first food truck was the Delta Biscuit Company, and it was a favorite in Little Rock. However, food truck culture there isn’t what it is here, so Hayne took the opportunity to move north, and away he went. How did he survive covid? With the help of celebrity chef Jose Andres... sort of. He’ll explain.

He’ll also talk about his food. Did you know that they have the top-of-the-line tater tots? They spent a good amount of time tater tot testing – it’s a real thing, and he’ll tell you why they have tots. Makes perfect sense.

And finally, he’ll be opening another spot next year. He’ll tell us where and much more. That’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

Happy November and welcome to EPISODE 100 of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!!! I can’t believe we’re finally here!! I want to thank you all, and ask a small favor... Please tell a friend about us and our little podcast here. It’s growing and we’re thankful for everyone that listens and watches. Please subscribe and rate- can’t wait to see where this thing is at episode 200!

Today, we celebrate with tropical drinks behind an art gallery wall, as we’re at Callisto in Bentonville and talking with the VERY engaging Gabe Barrett, who is part-owner and the beverage director, but before we talk with Gabe?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

Bentonville’s Callisto is a family affair. Gabe and Izaak Barrett came from the Phoenix area to start Callisto with their Uncle Braxton, who grew up in NWA. Gabe had an early introduction into what a speakeasy was, and it happened on accident on his 21st birthday. He’ll tell you the story. Also, if you’ve been there, you know that you enter through an art gallery called the Midnight Gallery. It was almost something else, and Gabe will tell us how the speakeasy entry would have been different. Finally, Gabe will get into some elaborate drinks, including how they make their own non-alcoholic rum. That’s episode 100, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.  

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 at one of the most popular breweries in our area, Rendezvous Junction Brewing Company in Rogers where we’re talking with Founder and Owner Mike Peerson and Head Brewer and COO Kenny Warden, but before we get to them?!?

(*FOOD NEWS*)

Mike Peerson didn’t start Rendezvous Junction at their current location. In fact, it started at the old Foster’s Pint and Plate in Rogers... Of course, Foster’s closed and that left them without a home and without folks to drink their beer. Who bought it during that time? We’ve interviewed them on here, so it won’t be a surprise to many of you. In fact, Mike ended up taking one of his employees and now he’s the head brewer and COO of the company, Ken Warden, who we’ll be talking to as well. Mike and Ken will tell us how they got into beer, the successes and failures, and Mike talks about dying. Yes, he’s officially died and been brought back. Some great stories- thanks for being with us here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk with Meredith Butler and Chef Mike Robertshaw of Pizzeria Ruby, where we go over SO much, including some breaking news, but before we get into them??

FOOD NEWS!!!

Chef Mike Robertshaw and his partner Meredith Butler aren’t from the area... in fact, they met in Seattle and they weren’t from there either. Chef Mike will tell you about hanging out with some regulars at his restaurant there who happened to be in Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Meredith will tell you her pizza crush, who I will tag when I post this. How did they end up in NWA, and what did they do once they got here? That’s a good story. Also, they’ll talk about how they prepared for Pizzeria Ruby having never worked in a pizza spot before. And finally, they’re opening a spot called Pizza Lottie in Bentonville. MANY folks are curious about when it’ll open. Chef Mike and Meredith will tell you when!! One note for you, there’s some explicit language in this one, so earmuffs for the kids, OK?  Thanks for tuning in.

Welcome to this week’s episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

Quick request off the top, if you have yet to subscribe, like or rate, please do me a favor and do so. It helps us grow and is a big help. Thank you!

Now to this week’s episode- we’re at Marsouls in downtown Rogers, talking with owner and founder Jordan Conley. We taped this JUST as Bikes, Blues and BBQ was rolling into town,  so you’ll hear a few rumbles. But first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Founder and owner of Marsouls Jordan Conley grew up VERRRY influenced by his grandmother’s cooking. After spending some time away from home as an adult, he came home during covid and had a new dream in the form of a culinary love-letter to his family heritage, and most notably his grandmother. You’ll hear about their buildout in what was once a gas station, you’ll also hear how they handled the tornado... Finally, he’ll talk about the food, and grandma’s quality control. She’s not shy about it, I’m told. That’s next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast.

Hear from the Top Chef NWA competing chefs: Chef Bill Martfeld from Lasang Pinoy, Chef Sara Guevara from the Walmart AMP, Chef Jesus Rodriguez from San Miguel Mexican Grill & Bar, and the defending champion, Chef Roni Mathis from the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks. 

They'll talk about why they're competing in Top Chef NWA this year, and a few may just flat-out tell you what they'll be cooking for the competition. 

Get to know these awesome people on this bonus edition of the Flavors off Northwest Arkansas podcast!