We have no shortage of food news throughout Arkansas, so each week, we’ll be providing you with a snapshot of the goings-on inside the culinary world, from events to specials to restaurant openings to awards. Do you have news to share? Please email our editor, Dustin Jayroe, at djayroe@aymag.com.

 

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and local eateries are already prepping for your special day and your special someone. Specialized menus are out at various locations across the state. Brood & Barley’s includes smoked lamb chops, scallops and peanut butter and chocolate pie. Allsopp & Chapple has a four-course event in the works. And PattiCakes Bakery has a number of themed sweet treats for you and yours. The list goes on and on — be sure to check your local favorite to see what’s on the menu this year.

 

The winners of the 2022 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame were announced this week. Check out the full list of honorees here.

 

More on that note: This year, AY has partnered with Arkansas Heritage to give away two $100 gift cards to an Arkansas Food Hall of Fame restaurant. Enter your chance to win here.

 

CareLink’s annual Cupcakes for Goodness Sake returns this month. This is the event’s sixth iteration, and is the only cupcake festival in Arkansas. Proceeds benefit the Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging.

 

“It’s hard to imagine that the time for Cupcakes is finally here, but we couldn’t be more excited. However, we must be mindful of the COVID endemic and require things that will help reduce the spread like wearing masks while inside the pavilion,” says Meredith Hale, Director of Development. “We are looking forward to coming together with the community to raise awareness about the vital services helping older people in Central Arkansas age safely and independently in their homes. The support of events like Cupcakes for Goodness Sake helps us further our mission of serving older men and women in need.”

 

This year’s Cupcakes for Goodness Sake is on Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heifer International Village in Little Rock. Get your tickets here.

 

Looks like the city of Conway is about to get a Hungry Howie’s location, a national pizza chain known for its flavored crusts. This one’s been floating around the rumor mill for a couple of years, but the city now officially has a location listed on the brand’s website — 2235 Dave Ward Drive, Suite 308. According to its location listing, this will be the second Hungry Howie’s in Arkansas, the first being in Little Rock on Rodney Parham.

 

Bentonville’s food scene was featured in a Forbes article last week: “New Southern Food Trends Are Upending The Status Quo.” The article mentioned Sunny’s, and included quotes from Matthew McClure of The Hive and Neal Gray of The Preacher’s Son.

 

Speaking of, Bentonville Taco and Tamale Co., Yellow Rocket’s Northwest Arkansas branch of Heights Taco and Tamale Co., is reportedly close to a grand opening. Posts on its Facebook page have begun to feature all the buzz words — “finishing touches,” “soon” and such — and management is actively recruiting new hires. The location is set for 101 W. Central Avenue.

 

We’re officially in the heart of “early 2022,” which is when initial reports suggested the Arkansas debut of Big Bad Breakfast would happen in Little Rock. The chain is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and has nearly a dozen locations scattered throughout the Southern region. (Worth noting: There is not yet an Arkansas location listed.) It is, as they say, the “brainchild of James Beard award-winning chef John Currence.” Behind the Arkansas location are familiar names — with Ben Brainard and Brandon Finch at the helm, and the Keets of JTJ Restaurants (Petit & Keet, Cypress Social, etc.) as minority partners. We’ve reached out for an update to this timeline and will report specifics when available.

 

Whether you’re single or happily tied down, AY is working on a listing of this weekend’s most “appetizing” events. Stay tuned for that.

 

And if you’re planning on spending your holiday dining in, we featured a few recipes in the latest issue of the magazine that you’ll want to try.

 

Speaking of things about us, we checked out the social media sensation MrBeast Burger this week. It’s one of the fastest-growing national food chains, founded by the popular YouTuber MrBeast.

 

Tune back in next week for the next taste of Arkansas food news.

 

 

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