Flavors of Northwest Arkansas

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we head to beautiful downtown Siloam Springs, where we’re at the new Kilroy Public House talking with owners Justin Melonson, Kyle Reidy and Brandon Norrell... but before we get to them?!?!

FOOD NEWS!

The Kilroy Public House is now open in downtown Siloam Springs. They offer sensational Irish fare, drinks and a cozy atmosphere. Chances are, if you’ve been a wedding recently, you’ve had their food as Co-Owner and Executive Chef Justin Malonson also owns and operates the popular Sous Chef Catering Company. In fact, he didn’t buy the space to be a restaurant. He’ll tell you what his initial vision was. Also, what’s going to be the most popular item on the menu? Well, it won’t be on the menu for starters. Finally, and most importantly, Justin is very much into a non-profit where he spends what little time he has working to feed others. He explains that and so much more, next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to a couple of do-gooders who are hell-bent on helping others. We’ll hear from the Hive’s Executive Chef Micah Klasky and Leverett Lounge/Sidecar co-owner Reese Roberts about their awesome, amazing missions, but first?!?!

FOOD NEWS!

Speaking of the amazing Fayetteville Independent Restaurant Alliance, you’re about to hear much more about it from Reese Roberts. They work to take care of the people in the Fayetteville restaurant industry who have been laid off, or not able to work. She’ll tell us how it started and what their future looks like.

Also, we sat down with Micah Klasky to talk about food waste, and how we go from waste to nourishing those that need it most. Did you know that we waste over 40% of our food? Micah talks about a program called Re-Think Food that he’s introducing to our area. Also, Chef Cycle sign-up has opened again, and it benefits No Kid Hungry. He’ll talk about why this year is more important than ever, and why fewer hungry kids will be seen. He’ll explain what that means, next, in this do-gooder’s episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to University of Arkansas Athletics Executive Chef Tim Walsh, Director of Football Nutrition Brooks Gillerlain, and Captain/Defensive Tackle/BBQ Pitmaster Cam Ball. We hear from them all, but FIRST?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

Ever wondered what it takes to feed a division 1 college football team in the SEC? I wondered it too, so I reached out to the University of Arkansas football team, and they were gracious enough to set me up with folks who answered that question in full. Also, what’s their favorite meal? How hard it is to schedule meals on the road? You’ll hear about odd food combinations, food sourcing, and their take on sweets. Finally, team captain Cam Ball talks about his barbecue past and his barbecue future. One note for you, this was recorded during training camp, so you’ll notice a few earlier references... and that’s coming up next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Jeffro Brown of the Odd Soul in bustling downtown Springdale, but before we talk to Jeffro?!?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Jeffro Brown is as Springdale as the city itself. In fact, his family can be traced back in Springdale to the early to mid-1800’s and were probably there even earlier than that. Since high school, he’s and more jobs that most guys have had girlfriends, while continually going back to one job like he was getting back together with an ex-girlfriend over, and over again... He’ll tell that story... He’ll also tell us how he almost accidentally blew his head off at one job... We can all laugh about it now..

Jeffro spent some time in Europe, where he learned, he loved, and eventually came back to Springdale where he employed what he learned overseas behind a bar... He’ll tell us where he started and what he worked his way up to.

Finally, the Odd Soul... How did he get involved? How has it evolved since it opened? He’ll talk about adding pizza to the menu and how it’s become VERY popular in downtown Springdale...

We hear from Jeffro Brown of the Odd Soul, next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

We have a bonus edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast for you today, and THIS one will be a memorable one. Tomorrow is the World Championship Squirrel Cookoff, and we interviewed the head of the whole thing, Mr. Joe Wilson. Joe is a master storyteller and talks about previous winners, previous entries and other events taking place tomorrow at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center. He’ll also talk about you chances to sample some tree-chicken!

It’s free and open to the public. It’ll get crowded so parking will be hard to come by. Joe will tell you where to go!

Hope to see you there!!!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Katie Boykin, co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of Bentonville Brewing Company... Also?? It’s the big BITE NWA ticket giveaway episode... But before we get to those?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!!

The folks at Bentonville Brewing Company have been through a lot. Remember when you were in your 20’s and moved apartments every so often? That’s kind of how Bentonville Brewing started. In fact, Bentonville Brewing wasn’t always in Bentonville. You’ll hear that scar tissue from Co-Owner and COO Katie Boykin. She’ll also talk about how she was able to keep the staff paid during covid, and there were some genius ideas that very much helped. Finally, what about that beer? Katie will talk about the first beer they ever brewed commercially, and talk about their staples, including their Homewrecker IPA and Space Goose Hazy IPA, and a beer that won a big national award!

We’ll talk with Katie Boykin next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

John talks about how you can win tickets to BITE NWA. Also, BITE NWA announced their lineup last week of who all will be participating, we talk about some of them, and that includes some that haven’t opened yet! You’ll be able to try them out before they even open their doors. Also, you’ll find out where to park this year, where to go, and of course, where the party is.

We talk with Tatum Murray of BITE NWA next on this bonus edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we have a story of perseverance as we interview Junto Executive Chef, Donovan Johnson. That’s a man who’s been through a lot, but before we get to him?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Junto Sushi opened in the Motto Hotel in Bentonville a year ago, almost to the day. Chef Donovan Johnson has been there from the start, and it was a hard road for him to get there. VERY hard. It was a road paved with addiction, rehab, relapses, and cooking around northwest Arkansas... One of his earliest jobs in his teens in Mountain Home might have been his most important. It helped shape his professional cooking preference and through it all, he never lost sight of it or let it go. That’s one of the many things that helped get him to where he is today.

He talks about it in detail, and the scare that sparked his turnaround. How did a guy from Mountain Home who had always cooked in Fayetteville gain the favor of a James Beard Award winning chef that has worked in a Michelin-star restaurant? We hear from Junto Executive Chef Donovan Johnson next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking with Chef William Mauk of Bienvenue in downtown Springdale which will flip into a new restaurant VERY soon, but before we do?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Bienvenue has been in operation in downtown Springdale for almost 2 years now, and in less than a month, will be something else as Owner & Executive Chef Will Mauk will be flipping the format, and he’ll explain why and what it’s going to be... Also. He’s involved in a few other things, like the launch of Goat Lab Red at the former Renzo’s in Fayetteville on Garland, and he’s one of the esteemed chefs for the Cobblestone Farms 2025 Cultivating Community Fundraiser dinner... He’ll tell us all about it next, here, on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re at Casa Alejo in downtown Rogers, where we hear great stories from the Mayorga family, but first!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

Casa Alejo is a family restaurant run by brothers that grew up in the family business. Originally from San Luis Potosi in Mexico, the family emigrated to Searcy to work in the restaurant business.

Brothers Said and Luis Mayorga had their first restaurant together in their adopted hometown of Searcy, and let’s just say that it didn’t go as planned, you’ll hear why. Of course, with age comes wisdom and the brothers will tell you their path to opening the first Casa Alejo in downtown Springdale and then Rogers. It’s quite the ride, including the torn-up road on Emma RIGHT when they opened!!

Also, they’ll talk about family recipes and what the elders thought about birria, and Said’s fascination with finding places on and off-menu for waffle fries. It’s a funny story, but there’s also a good reason behind it.

Finally- are they done, or are there more Casa Alejo’s on the horizon?

We’ll talk with Said, Luis and Kacey Mayorga next, here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.