Welcome this this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast! I adore everything about today’s podcast. The company, the product, the owner and her story as we’re talking today with Angela Bolt from Siloam Syrups... but before we get to her?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Two local spots made the James Beard Awards Final 5 in two categories, and they’re both in the same building in Rogers!
• A No Kid Hungry dinner was announced for Springdale. We have the details.
• More news about the Kilroy Public House in Rogers!
• Chuo Izakaya is officially open!
• Taqueria El Cuervo has officially moved.
• There will be multiple food options in the new development going up by Gully Park in Fayetteville.
• 7Brew is coming to the UofA
• We have the results of the Black Howler Beer Chili Cookoff from the weekend!
• Happy anniversary to Crisis Brewing and Terracotta. Both are partying on Saturday. We have the deets.
• Another Dining in the Dark at Mockingbird Kitchen. We’ll tell you where it originated from and how it started in NWA!

What a story Angela Bolt has. Born and raised on the west coast, you’ll love the story about how she learned how to cook. You’ll also hear about the familial influences in her life and are with her today. How did she get into the food and beverage business? That’s a good story and has to do with family. Speaking of which, how does one go from Oakland to Siloam Springs? It’ll make sense, I promise. Also, a scary health situation and the story of Angela having to put her life on pause and the village that got her through it. Finally, those yummy syrups... Delish. We talk to Angela Bolt from Siloam Syrups next here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

In this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas Podcast, we’re in Bentonville with Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis talking Townie Burgers, Oven & Tap and Superfine Sweets, but before we do?!?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Chuo Izakaya finally opens in Rogers THIS WEEK! Owner Darwin Beyer talks about getting the doors open.
• The HUB in Bentonville re-opens THIS WEEK! General Manager Shawn Curtis gives us the schedule!
• My new crush Taqueria El Cuervo is moving THIS WEEK!
• Jaclyn’s Kitchen at Prairie Creek officially opened LAST WEEK!
• Down the Bayou has announced when they’re opening. Not THIS WEEK.
• Moffs Pizza wants to move into a brick-and-mortar building, and you can help!
• Angelino’s Italian Restaurant in Siloam will be closing. We’ll tell you when.
• Big anniversaries this week with Guess Who, Feed and Folly, and Handel’s Ice Cream in Rogers.
• I’ve been following an Arkansas Pastry Chef who had a big week last week at a big competition!
• The Black Howler Beer Company Beer Chili Cookoff is this Saturday!

Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis have been business partners for about a decade now, and the story of how they met is hilarious. It started with a job interview and a phone call – also, persistence paid off. When Luke decided that he wanted to open Oven and Tap, there was never a question about who would be a part of it with him. They both talk about the lessons learned when opening their first place.

I’ve always wondered this about ice cream shops –how do they pick out their ice cream flavors for Superfine Sweets Shop?

Finally, what led to Townie Burgers and what’s next?

We hear from Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis next, on this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas. Please like and subscribe! Available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts!

Hi there- hope you had an outstanding St. Paddy’s Day and didn’t indulge TOO much... Welcome to this week’s Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast. I’m John Engleman- thanks for being here. This week, we’re in Rogers at Michoacana Ice Cream, where there’s much more than Ice Cream, and owner Arturo Rodriguez? A very colorful past-life in LA.. but before we get to that?!?!

FOOD NEWS!!

• Cura Osteria in downtown Rogers has given us a grand opening date... kind of
• Scoops Ice Cream is open in downtown Springdale, but not without injury!
• Parlor is open in The Ledger.
• Dice Goblins’ Café is officially open!
• Not a bad day to open the Fermentary Brewery!
• Goodcents is open in Fayetteville.
• Jaclyn’s Kitchen re-opens this week in a new location!
• Trash Ice Cream has their eyes in Fayetteville.
• Downtown Fayetteville is getting a new brewery.
• Casa Alejo will be opening a 3rd spot!
• Fayetteville’s Golden Corral is officially closed.
• Panda Express is coming to Springdale. We’ll tell you where.
• A chili cook-off? You had me at “A”. This time at Black Howler
• Maxine’s Tap Room turns 76, Michoacana and The Odd Soul turn 9, and Stoic Brews turned 1!

Michoacana Ice Cream Owner Arturo Rodriguez is originally from Columbia, but came to the US to work with his brother in LA. He eventually got into broadcasting and built his own broadcasting school which happened to be at the same location for CNN in LA. He was on the same floor as Larry King, and some VERY famous guests would get lost and end up at their school accidentally, including one singer that might’ve been the most popular in the world at the time. Arturo will tell that story.

So how does one go from having a popular broadcasting school in LA to Northwest Arkansas? That’s another story, and of note- cows don’t listen to radio... You’ll hear what that means. Finally, Michoacana- known for their homemade ice cream, but becoming known for their food as well... You’ll hear about that from owner Arturo Rodriguez of Michoacana Ice Cream in Rogers on this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!