Ryn – Matt Cooper

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re talking with award winning chef Matthew Cooper about his newest restaurant, Ryn, which is almost a year old – but before we get to him?!?! FOOD NEWS!! How about we kick it off with some BREAKING NEWS! Bistro 16 will be closing at the end of the month in preparations for a move to Rogers as Bienvenue. Nosh Nola will also be opening a new spot. We’ll hear from both owners about how their moves are related!! You can now order and get Onyx from the sidewalk at the Bentonville Square out of the Bentoville space. Speaking of Bentoville, we’ll have an update. We have a slew of grand openings coming up in June 1st in Rogers, including the Protein House, PJ’s Coffee , and Ozark Charcuterie. We have an update on the Dave’s Hot Chicken going up in the Summit Shopping Center by PJ’s. Handel’s Ice Cream is looking close in Fayetteville. A smashburger ghost kitchen? One is coming. Moonhouse in Fayetteville is closed... for now. Home Grown is coming to South Yard in Fayetteville. Herman’s is still closed in Fayetteville. What’s up with Proving Grounds Coffee? Darwin Beyer of Meiji and Chuo Izakaya has one of my most favorite Mike Engleman Home Pro Tips of the Week, and it’s this week’s Flavors Flashback! Chef Matt Cooper had been planning Ryn for a while. In fact, he was planning Ryn before Conifer, and he’ll tell us why and the story behind it. He’ll also talk about Ryn’s sustainable hospitality, and how there it’s fueled by a crop to kitchen concept with Sun Painted Farm being just behind the restaurant. Speaking of, how hard is it to plan a farm around a restaurant menu? Or is it vice-versa? Finally, he’ll talk about a documentary that he’s involved with, and it’s all here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!