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 food editor, Kevin Shalin, at kshalin@aymag.com.
The Arkansas Food Hall of Fame announced its 2021 winners.
Beginning March 1, Minute Man will be launching the “Buy One, Give One” initiative, in an effort to reduce hunger in Arkansas. For every meal that customers purchase from the mobile unit, the company will donate a meal to a community in need. As soon as the truck hits 500 burger meals sold, it will then donate 500 meals. Once Minute Man hits its goal, Officer Tommy Norman will be announcing the date, time, and location of the give portion of the campaign. Be sure to follow across all social media channels.
Conway is celebrating Black Restaurant Week right now (February 21-27). Here is a list of restaurants to support.
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild has created “Symphony of Flavors,” a virtual fundraiser featuring Central Arkansas chefs and musicians. Dinner will be served on Thursday evenings throughout April. Ticket buyers are invited inside local chef kitchens to watch and learn how to prepare gourmet meals, as well as enjoy musical interludes by some of ASO’s various musicians and groups. Ticket prices include delivery of goodies, wine and recipes curated by each night’s featured chef. Participants can choose to purchase ingredients and cook along with the chef, as they will receive the recipe and menu the day before airing. Videos of the demonstrations will be available to ticket buyers online for two weeks following. Tickets go on sale on March 1st at ArkansasSymphony.org/flavoror call 501-258-6149. All four demonstrations cost $200 and a single demonstration is $75. Ticket buyers will be emailed a link to join the demonstration, which begins at 7 p.m.
This is very cool. Larry’s Pizza in Conway will have a Super Power Hour on Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m., when the restaurant will be opening an hour early for children with special needs and their families to come play. All ages are welcome and the price is all inclusive for all members of the family ($8 for buffet and unlimited play card).
Congrats to Suzanne Raiford, of Daisy’s Lunchbox Café & Bakery in Searcy, who recently won a $5,000 cash prize as a winner for her Peach Praline Galettes recipe in the Neighborhood to Nation Recipe contest from General Mills Foodservice. Along with the money, Suzanne will receive marketing support for her business and a chance to win an additional $5,000 for a local food bank. This marks the second time she has been named a winner in this contest.
Home brewers, rejoice, and head to The Rail Yard on March 14.
The first Arkansas Chef Competition will be held on April 20-22 in Wilson. This event will promote and encourage young Arkansas-based chefs who are looking to advance their culinary careers. Six contestants will be selected to compete based on their application and submitted essay/video. The contest will feature a signature dish competition and include a two-course signature dish tasting menu (appetizer or salad and entrée). Winners will receive a cash prize as well as an opportunity for an apprenticeship with the Wilson Culinary and Hospitality Program. For more information, visit eatatwilson.com/chefcompetition.
Folks who utilize Trio’s Facebook ordering now have a perfect opportunity to donate to Plating Change, an initiative that is teaming up with local restaurants (like Trio’s) to help feed the hungry. Just click on the link and purchase a specially prepared meal that will be delivered to one of many deserving groups in Little Rock (after the restaurant accumulates 200 orders). Recipients include Jericho Way Homeless Resource Center, Buffington Towers, Philander Smith College, and From His Throne Ministries, among others.
Here are all the details for the International Food Festival on April 17, as well as the Italian Food & Culture Festival Gravy Competition on April 24.
