Heaping Spoonful

Famed Hawaiian celebrity chef Sam Choy was back in Arkansas recently, an occasion momentous enough to awaken Heaping Spoonful from its retirement slumber. Local star chef Jamie McAfee brought Sam by the studio, and we caught up with both of them in a lively conversation you won't want to miss.

From Houston to Little Rock Curtis Guerrero is the new face of BBQ in these parts. Back Home BBQ brings Texas style BBQ with their own swagger. Smoker to Speakeasy this is the episode for you.

On this episode of Heaping Spoonful, we’re joined by Brent Cryder, owner and operator of Southern Tail Brewing in Little Rock, Arkansas. Brent shares how his love for wine evolved into a passion for exploring flavors — ultimately leading him to the world of brewing, food, and hospitality. Tune in as he talks about the journey that transformed curiosity into craft and turned a bold idea into Southern Tail Brewing.

Today on Heaping Spoonful we have Ira Mittelman. From New Jersey to California and now in Little Rock. Ira and I chat about the ever-changing food scene, technology and his passion for people.

Today on Heaping Spoonful we have two culinary titans of industry. Heaping Spoonful welcomes back Jill McDonald and Wendy Schay of the Croissanterie. We hear about their big new adventure, baking classes and competition life. 

What an amazing story we have for you today on Heaping Spoonful. Today we welcome Kreg and Samantha Stewart from Certified Pies. Hear about their rise from community kitchen to brick and mortar and how they have quickly become a Little Rock favorite.

On this episode of Heaping Spoonful, we have something rare. Today we not only talk about food, but we talk brewing with Josiah Moody of Moody Brews. Learn the basics of brewing and how Josiah partnered with one of the biggest rice producers right here in Arkansas to brew a very popular beer. 

We caught up with Henry Lee of Vino’s in Little Rock to talk meatballs, the local pizza scene, and what it’s like running a brewery, restaurant, and music venue all in one. It’s a unique spot with a great story — don’t miss it!

Today on Heaping Spoonful we have something special; Chris Alley of Rock 'N Roll Sushi joins us. Hear the unique way Chris and I met as well as the ins and outs of running a franchise. 

You will not want to miss this episode of Heaping Spoonful. Today we speak to Dillon Garcia, general manager of Allsopp and Chapple. We talk about his passion for wine and cocktails. Learn how his enthusiasm and knowledge led him to managing one of the top spots in Little Rock. 

Today's guest on Heaping Spoonful is one for the record books. Daniel Hintz, a former restaurateur and now the Owner/Principal of Velocity Group. Daniel has a rich background in the food industry, which adds depth to his current work in community development.

Today on Heaping Spoonful we hear from Eric Isaac of Ristorante Cảpeo. Eric discusses his culinary journey and rise to prominence alongside his brother Brian. We talk Italian cuisine with standout dishes like fresh pasta and elk chops.

On this very special episode of Heaping Spoonful, we hear from husband-and-wife team Peter and Whitney Loibner of Blackberry Market. Listen to how this power couple balances marriage and a very busy local market and eatery.

Today we feature Eric Asbury and Cassie Millington from Lost 40 Brewing. They discuss beer, food, and the challenges of staffing in the industry. Tune in for insights into brewing and hospitality!

Today Heaping Spoonful features Luis Vasquez of El Sur in Soma. Luis shares his inspiring journey from running a food truck to establishing a brick-and-mortar restaurant, driven by his deep passion for his roots. Honduran cuisine is where it's at and if you aren't familiar you need to be.

This episode of Heaping Spoonful features Michael Carpenter from Speakeasy Café in Bryant. He discusses everything coffee-related, as well as the customer experience. Michael also shares insights into starting a business, including the challenges and rewards of being a cafe owner.

Today we welcome Kelli Marks, a talented baker and author. From her journey as a restaurateur to writing her own cookbook, Kelli shares her passion for baking and education. Her story is truly inspiring!

Today's special guest is Shane Taylor of Taylors' Made Cafe in Conway who shares his journey growing up in the restaurant business. He reflects on his years at North Little Rock staple Sir Loins End and discusses how he and his wife successfully balance their work and personal life.

On today’s episode of Heaping Spoonful, we welcome Joe Salgueiro of SO Restaurant & Bar. Joe shares stories from his time at one of New York City's top restaurants and how he brings that same high-level dining experience to Little Rock.

Today’s episode of Heaping Spoonful features Kevin Doroski of Draft and Table. Kevin shares his journey from working in the country club scene to owning his own restaurant in downtown North Little Rock.

In today's episode, Matt Quin shares his journey from the East Coast to Arkansas, leading to the creation of Caverns and Forests Board Game Café. Discover how he combined his passions for gaming, food, and community to build a fun-filled café offering great games, food, and drinks.

This episode of Heaping Spoonful features Brad Izzard, who shares his journey from South Africa to Arkansas, where he began working at the renowned Capital Hotel. He discusses his rise through the hospitality industry, including his experiences traveling and training in some of the best hotels across the United States.

On today's episode of Heaping Spoonful, Brett Basset shares his journey in the food and beverage industry, starting at Local Luna, advancing through his time with Yellow Rocket Concepts, and culminating in his current role as Regional Sales Manager at Origami Sake.

Tune in to this episode of Heaping Spoonful where we hear from Heather Kouns. We follow Heather's path from server to restaurant general manager to where she landed at North Little Rock Tourism. She's currently serving as the Vice President of Strategic Sales and works closely with restaurants to highlight the growing food scene here in central Arkansas.

Don't miss this episode of Heaping Spoonful. Today we have the incomparable Joann Sims of Cache New American restaurant. Hear about her move to the states from the Philippines and her time at the iconic Capital Hotel.

In this episode of Heaping Spoonful with David Hesselbein, we’ll uncover the story behind David’s evolution from Heights Taco & Tamale Co. to the beloved George's in Little Rock.

On this episode of Heaping Spoonful we hear from Nate Miller, chef/owner of Bread Cheese Wine (BCW) in SoMa. We hear about Nate's days selling produce to his days at PFG. Now Nate owns the hottest little spot in Little Rock.

On this episode of Heaping Spoonful we chat with Josh Woodard, Owner/Operator of Shotgun Dan's Pizza. We hear how Josh took the reins from his father, runs three locations and his thoughts on work ethic and customer service.

In this episode of Heaping Spoonful hear how Chef Shanna became what she is today by using local, fresh ingredients. Hear about her inspirations and Thursday night Jazz Night.

Kelley Bass, one of the two founding members of Heaping Spoonful is now the Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of Discovery. This episode is a "passing of the torch" as Kelley did 100+ episodes of HS leaving a well paved trail for Brayan to get started. Rusty and Brayan thought it was only appropriate to have Kelley on as the first guest of the new era.

Heaping Spoonful began as an idea -- and a name -- created by Rusty Mathis, general manager at Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South Division. And after nearly 100 episodes, the podcast series ends with an interview with Rusty, who tells listeners about his background and how BEK works to differentiate itself in a crowded marketplace.

Wendy Schay and Jill McDonald tell listeners how a friendship forged as students and then instructors at culinary school led to selling their wares at farmer's markets, then from a food truck and today at The Crossainterie, a popular restaurant in West Little Rock.

How can a career lead from washing dishes to having three home freezers full of top-quality meat -- and not visiting the butcher counter for at least two years? Tune into Heaping Spoonful and let Chef Gilbert Alaquinez tell you how that happened to him.

When most people think of what a food service company like Ben E. Keith does, warehousing and delivering food is certainly at the top of the list. But having an executive chef like Shane Henderson on staff to help customers in almost countless ways is also part of the equation. And Chef Shane came upstairs from his demo kitchen to tell listeners all about it.

Mary Laws, owner of RP Tracks in Memphis, called the hotline to tell listeners how her restaurant/bar has cultivated a great vibe and loyal clientele with a menu that mixes classic meat-focused apps, sandwiches and main courses with lots of creative "animal-friendly" (vegetarian) dishes that has helped it thrive for more than 35 years.

Coby Smith tells Heaping Spoonful listeners how he parlayed his experience as a chef to focus on health care facilities, including some national media coverage he got for the ramen he featured at one spot that became the rage. Today he's thrilling patients, families and staff at CARTI, a Little Rock-based cancer care facility. And, yes, he still prepares THE ramen from time to time.

Meredith Chapuis, one of the three founders, and Chef Dylan McClure tell listeners how their For the Love nonprofit in Northwest Arkansas doesn't just feed hundreds of food-insecure people each week but also helps build community and create the connections that help people find new opportunities to improve their lives in multiple ways.

Scott Rains dropped by to talk about how his skills, his menu and his restaurant -- Table 28 in the Burgundy Hotel in West Little Rock -- have progressed over the 10 years he's been the executive chef there.

Payne Harding, executive chef and owner of Cache in downtown Little Rock, tells listeners how a tighter focus on high-end but straightforward Southern cuisine and building and maintaining a strong team has helped his restaurant continue to improve over its 10 years in a very high-profile location.

Tracy Brown and Clay Caffey of Coy's Southern Eats dropped in to tell us about the rebirth of one of the iconic restaurant brands in Arkansas history -- Coy's Steak House -- and where that might lead beyond the spices and other products, they're selling online.

Rich Cosgrove says great food and service are givens in the restaurant business -- that it's the "enchantment" his team dishes up that differentiates Whole Hog North Little Rock from other restaurants.

Brandon Douglas tells our listeners the plans his team has in the works for Mug's Cafe Little Rock, Mug's Cafe North Little Rock, Mylo's Coffee and Leiva's, their four premier coffee shops in the Little Rock metropolitan area.

John Mabry called the Heaping Spoonful hotline to tell listeners how his path from college to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York to culinary school in Avignon, France, to his next job in the kitchen at a five-star hotel in Miami eventually led him to the small city of Corinth, Mississippi, where his three establishments are all stars on the local dining scene.

Chef/owner Joshua Garland and director of operations Fatima Alvirde talk about the amazing success they've had with Best Cafe and Bar in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and how excited they are about their next project, DONS Southern Social, a true "speakeasy" down to its hidden entrances.

Jamie and Rob Gaston explain how wanting a local, "niche" restaurant choice in Bryant led them to open Copper Mule Table and Tap, which has more than doubled in size in its two-plus years in business and soon will add a second location in the Heights Neighborhood of Little Rock.

Jordan Wright tells listeners how his first bite of truly transcendent beef brisket – smoky, totally tender and juicy and just mind-blowingly awesome -- at a legendary Texas restaurant ignited a fire that has led him to open three very successful Wright's Barbecue restaurants in northwest Arkansas with a fourth on the way -- this time in his hometown of Little Rock!

Denis Seyer, a Frenchman, had never heard of Little Rock or Arkansas when he agreed to become a chef at Jacques and Suzanne, which opened atop the tallest building in the state in 1975. Forty-eight years later he tells Heaping Spoonful listeners about the amazing culinary journey he has traveled in his more than 60 years in the business.

Doug Wood's grandfather and uncle owned popular restaurants when he was a kid, but it was his seven years selling point-of-sale systems to more than 300 eateries that gave Doug the background to make solid decisions in how he would operate Catfish Charlie's, which under his 15 years of ownership has become a landmark hotspot in Monroe, Louisiana.

Kyle Carson, executive chef at The Grumpy Rabbit, told Heaping Spoonful about how rekindling a relationship with renowned chef James Hale led him to this outstanding restaurant in the small town of Lonoke, Arkansas, and how he and his kitchen team keep things fresh and fun -- and the people coming back again and again.

Dan Kovach dropped by the Heaping Spoonful studio to tell listeners how working as a server at the legendary and lamented Cajun's Wharf in Little Rock almost a quarter-century ago started him on the path to owning two of the city's most popular restaurants -- Copper Grill and Capers.