Chef Tyler Rogers on Hospitality, Local Farms, and Building Community at Stonebreaker

About the Show:"Food and giving people food is my love language." – Chef Tyler RogersOn this episode of I Am Northwest Arkansas®, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Chef Tyler Rogers at the beautiful Stonebreaker Restaurant on Markham Hill in Fayetteville. Chef Rogers is an Arkansas native whose culinary journey has taken him from humble beginnings in Magnolia to the legendary French Laundry in Napa, California, before returning home to celebrate Arkansas’s rich agricultural bounty.Chef Tyler talks about finding inspiration in Thomas Keller’s French Laundry Cookbook, learning the value of farm-to-table at Brave New Restaurant in Little Rock, and the impact of working in Michelin-starred kitchens. Now as Executive Chef at Stonebreaker, he’s all about making guests feel at home and connecting local farmers with the community through creative, comforting dishes.You’ll also hear Chef Tyler’s advice for young chefs, his dreams of opening his own diner or a wood-fired bakery, and his passion for serving inclusive menus—including vegan and gluten-free options. If you love great food, local farms, and uplifting stories, this episode is for you!Key Takeaways:Inspiration at Home: Chef Tyler’s Arkansas roots and early kitchen experiences shaped his love for hospitality and detail.Culinary Journey: From dropping out of college to pursuing some of the top kitchens in the world, Chef Rogers shows how non-traditional paths can lead to big dreams.Farm-to-Table Focus: He’s passionate about forming “a conduit between farmers and consumers,” using as many local products as possible at Stonebreaker.Intentional Hospitality: Hospitality is at the heart of Chef Tyler’s approach—“servant leadership” and a guest-first mentality ensure everyone feels welcome.Continuous Growth: Tyler shares how stepping out of your comfort zone—whether in the kitchen or life—leads to true growth.Advice for Aspiring Chefs: Work hard. Seek mentors. Stage (apprentice) in great kitchens. Read, and never stop learning.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show*Stonebreaker Hotel and Restaurant Fayetteville | stonebreakerhotel.comThe French Laundry (Napa)Brave New Restaurant (Little Rock)Vieux Carre in the Afterthought (Little Rock)Bansley Berkshire Farm (Harrison, AR)Hannah Family Farms (Bentonville)Onyx Coffee LabBooks Mentioned: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, Resetting the Table, On Food and Cooking by Harold McGeeFindItNWA.com NWA’s Hyperlocal Business DirectoryTune in to KUAF 91.3 FM to listen to the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast on Ozarks at Large every Tuesday at 12 Noon and 7 PM CST. And, check us out on their podcast as well.This episode is sponsored by*FindItNWA.com Try ONBoardNWA.com Today! *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at [email protected] With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:Winetopia 2026Winetopia 2026 Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 7-10pm Place: Stonebreaker Hotel on Markham hill Winetopia is Restore Humanity’s biggest annual fundraiser and brings together the very best of Northwest Arkansas (restaurants, artisans, small businesses, and (community members) to support our work. While the event raises essential funds for children in Kenya, its heartbeat is entirely local. There are over 100 local businesses who contribute auction items, regional chefs and beverage makers who showcase their craft, and the hundreds of residents gathering to celebrate community generosity. Winetopia strengthens local partnerships, elevates homegrown talent, and reinforces Northwest Arkansas's identity as a place where global compassion is fueled by local collaboration. Winetopia is a beautiful demonstration of how a united local community can create life-changing impact for children and families worldwide. Winetopia 2026