Heaping Spoonful
121 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratings"Heaping Spoonful" is a twice-monthly conversation with restaurateurs, chefs, growers and others who have helped generate the legends associated with eateries across the Mid-South. The team at Ben E. Keith is proud to sponsor this adventure with the goal of preserving the stories that have helped cultivate an amazing food scene across the Mid-South.
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Episodes
Rusty Mathis, GM of Ben E. Keith Mid-South Division
February 06, 2024 07:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBHeaping 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 of The Croissanterie in Little Rock, AR
January 16, 2024 17:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBWendy 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.
Gilbert Alaquinez Regional Chef of Hanks Brokerage Inc.
December 05, 2023 21:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBHow 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.
Chef Shane Henderson of Ben E. Keith Mid-South in North Little Rock, AR
November 22, 2023 17:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBWhen 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 of RP Tracks in Memphis, TN
November 07, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBMary 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 of CARTI in Little Rock, AR
October 03, 2023 06:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBCoby 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 and Chef Dylan McClure of For the Love in Northwest Arkansas
September 19, 2023 06:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBMeredith 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 of Table 28 in West Little Rock, AR
September 05, 2023 06:00 - 39 minutes - 27.5 MBScott 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 of Cache in Little Rock, AR
August 15, 2023 06:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBPayne 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 in Bryant, AR
August 01, 2023 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBTracy 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 of Whole Hog in North Little Rock, AR
July 18, 2023 06:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBRich 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 of Mug's Cafe, Mylo's and Leiva's in Central Arkansas
July 04, 2023 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBBrandon 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 of Vacari in Corinth, MS
June 20, 2023 06:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBJohn 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.
Joshua Garland & Fatima Alvirde of Best Cafe & Bar in Hot Springs, AR
May 16, 2023 06:00 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MBChef/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 of Copper Mule Table & Tap in Bryant, AR
May 02, 2023 06:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBJamie 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 of Wright's Barbecue in Northwest Arkansas
April 18, 2023 06:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBJordan 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 of the famed Jacques & Suzanne
April 04, 2023 06:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBDenis 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 of Catfish Charlie's in Monroe, LA
March 21, 2023 06:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBDoug 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 of The Grumpy Rabbit in Lonoke, AR
March 07, 2023 07:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBKyle 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 of Copper Grill and Capers in Little Rock, AR
February 21, 2023 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MBDan 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.
Sam Russell and Hunter Kissinger of The Buttered Biscuit in Northwest Arkansas
February 07, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBThe Buttered Biscuit is one of the most compelling success stories on the Northwest Arkansas food scene, growing from concept to four booming restaurants in about four years. Sam Russell, co-founder, co-owner and CEO, and Hunter Kissinger, director of operations, called the Heaping Spoonful hotline to explain how their mini-chain has gotten so large so quickly -- and where they're headed from here.
John Harpool of Bocca in Fayetteville, AR
January 17, 2023 07:00 - 33 minutes - 23.4 MBJohn Harpool, executive chef and general manager at Bocca in Fayetteville, Arkansas, stopped by to tell Heaping Spoonful listeners how he parlayed a mild interest in food as a kid to a successful career -- and why his restaurant is committed to making everything from scratch, including all pasta, salad dressings, bread and desserts.
Ryan Hamra of Blue Coast Burrito and Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Little Rock, AR
January 03, 2023 07:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBRyan Hamra stopped by the Heaping Spoonful studios to tell how his expected career -- running his family's group of Wendy's restaurants -- was derailed by his father's death when Ryan was in high school ... and how he parlayed what he learned there and afterward to launch successful Blue Coast Burrito and Potbelly Sandwich Shop outlets in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Sally Mengel of Loblolly Creamery in Little Rock, AR
December 20, 2022 07:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBSally Mengel didn't even intend to have a real "business" when she first started making ice cream to sell in the Green Corner Store in 2011. But what a business she and her team have built, selling ice cream and other sweet treats in the Loblolly Creamery shop next door and at locations all across Arkansas. She stopped by to tell Heaping Spoonful how that all happened!
Chef Andre Poirot of 42 Bar and Table in Little Rock, AR
December 06, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBChef Andre Poirot stopped by the studio to tell listeners the details of his long and fascinating career that has taken him from his home country of France to London, Bermuda, New Orleans and, for the last 18-plus years, to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he now serves as executive chef at 42 Bar and Table in the Clinton Presidential Center.
Sam Walker of Theo's in Fayetteville, AR
November 01, 2022 06:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBSam Walker, executive chef at Theo's in Fayetteville, Arkansas, called the Heaping Spoonful hotline and explained the many steps along his impressive career journey -- from deli counter worker at Fresh Market to high-profile roles at several south Florida upscale restaurants.
Ben Brainard of Big Bad Breakfast in Little Rock, AR
October 18, 2022 06:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MBBen Brainard stopped by to tell Heaping Spoonful listeners how seeing a pressing need in the market -- a top-quality breakfast option in west Little Rock -- led him to partner with renowned chef/restaurateur John Currence to open the state's first Big Bad Breakfast.
Kat Robinson, Arkansas food scene writer/influencer
October 04, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBNoted Arkansas food writer Kat Robinson stopped by to tell her unlikely story of how she became a TV news producer and later transitioned to become perhaps the most prolific and influential chronicler of the Arkansas food scene.
Brayan McFadden of Brood & Barley in North Little Rock, AR
September 20, 2022 06:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MBBrayan McFadden sat down to talk about being as chef at Brood & Barley in North Little Rock, AR, and how his Philadelphia culinary roots are evident in the restaurant's fun and eclectic menu. Like with the mussels, octopus and "the stupid burger".
Lisa Provencio-Jones & Bert Jones of Gaskins Cabin in Eureka Springs, AR
September 06, 2022 06:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBLisa Provencio-Jones and her husband Bert Jones, came to the Heaping Spoonful satellite studio in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to tell the historic story of the beginnings of Gaskins Cabin in 1864, how it morphed into a restaurant in the 1980s and what they've done to elevate it as one of the top steakhouses in Arkansas.
Kelly Lovell and Walt Todd of Count Porkula in Central Arkansas
August 16, 2022 06:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBKelly Lovell and Walt Todd of Count Porkula dropped by the studio to tell the story of how they morphed from business careers to cooking barbecue for friends to launching a food truck and soon will open their third bricks-and-mortar location in Central Arkansas.
Tommy Shaffer of Rogue's Manor in Eureka Springs, AR
August 02, 2022 06:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MBTommy Shaffer grew up in the Eureka Springs area, and after being thrust into an unexpected role as a cook at his first restaurant he has thrived ever since, first working his way up to executive chef at the Crescent Hotel and now serving as executive chef at Rogue's Manor, one of the resort town's top dining destinations.
Tamsye Nosal and Melody Williford of American Pie in Central Arkansas
July 19, 2022 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBTamsye Nosal and Melody Williford, sisters who own the three American Pie locations in Central Arkansas, stopped by the studio to tell how they parlayed their years of experience in the pizza business into quickly growing their business after they established it in 2004.
Brian Van Sickle of The Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, AR
July 05, 2022 06:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBBrian Van Sickle was the first guest featured during our Heaping Spoonful road trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We set up our studio at the historic Crescent Hotel, where Brian serves as assistant general manager in charge of all food and beverage operations. And man do they have plenty of those!
Matt Fuller of 501 Prime in Hot Springs, AR
June 21, 2022 06:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBMatt Fuller of 501 Prime in Hot Springs, Arkansas, graced the Heaping Spoonful studio with his presence as he explained what led him to leave south Florida for Hot Springs and how his first successful venture -- Central Park Fusion Cuisine -- led him to move across town and open a high-end spot focused on prime steaks, fresh seafood, and an amazing wine list.
Susie Powell of Hoots BBQ in McGehee, AR
June 07, 2022 06:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBSusie Powell of Hoots BBQ in McGehee, Arkansas, stopped by the studio to tell how a retired farmer and his retired dentist office worker wife decided to ditch the easy life after three years and open a huge restaurant with a huge menu that is drawing fans from a huge distance.
Karen Carrier, chef and restaurateur in Memphis, TN
May 17, 2022 06:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBKaren Carrier, owner of a handful of popular and eclectic Memphis establishments, called the Heaping Spoonful hotline to tell her story, which includes an amazing start to her food service career in New York that only picked up steam when she came home to Memphis.
Chuck Taylor of Taylor's Steakhouse in Dumas, AR
April 19, 2022 06:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBChuck Taylor, who along with his wife Pam owns and operates Taylor's Steakhouse in Dumas, called the Heaping Spoonful hotline to tell the story of how they succeeded wildly despite a super risky business proposition: serving top-quality, well-aged steaks in a metal building outside a tiny town in southeastern Arkansas.
Tomas Bohm of The Pantry and The Pantry-Crest in Little Rock, AR
April 05, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes - 35.4 MBTomas Bohm sat down in the Heaping Spoonful studios to tell his unlikely story of how a young man from the Czech Republic went from home to Asia to Arkansas, and the winding path that led him to open The Pantry and then The Pantry-Crest, two of Little Rock's most popular restaurants.
Suzanne Boscarolo and Blair Wallace, co-owners of Caio Baci in Little Rock, AR
March 15, 2022 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBSuzanne Boscarolo and Blair Wallace, co-owners of Caio Baci, stopped by to tell Heaping Spoonful listeners how their quaint eatery in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Little Rock, Arkansas, continues to thrill its fans with exceptional food and drink for more than 20 years.
Suzan Boscarolo and Blair Wallace, co-owners of Ciao Baci in Little Rock, AR
March 15, 2022 06:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MBSuzan Boscarolo and Blair Wallace, co-owners of Ciao Baci, stopped by to tell Heaping Spoonful listeners how their quaint eatery in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Little Rock, Arkansas, continues to thrill its fans with exceptional food and drink for more than 20 years.
Flo Bruzatori of Buenos Aires Café and Grill in Little Rock, AR
March 01, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBFlo Bruzatori dropped by to tell how her family immigrated to Arkansas from Argentina and in 2017 began highlighting family recipes and other classics on their menu at Buenos Aires Café and Grill in downtown Little Rock.
Flo Bruzatori of Buenos Aires Café and Grill in Little Rock., AR
March 01, 2022 07:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBFlo Bruzatori dropped by to tell how her family immigrated to Arkansas from Argentina and in 2017 began highlighting family recipes and other classics on their menu at Buenos Aires Café and Grill in downtown Little Rock.
Todd Gold of Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, AR
February 15, 2022 07:00 - 45 minutes - 31.6 MBTodd Gold, Director of Food and Beverage at Saracen Casino Resort, dropped by to tell Heaping Spoonful listeners how the casino is putting Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on the map for fine dining -- think Kobe beef! -- and setting the curve with its Vegas-style buffet!
Alan Leveritt, publisher of Arkansas Times
February 01, 2022 07:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBAlan Leveritt, publisher of Arkansas Times, stopped by the Heaping Studio studios to talk about the history of his 48-year-old publication and its role in casting a spotlight on the top restaurants and chefs in Arkansas, primarily through its Readers Choice Awards.
Phil Brandon of Rock Town Distillery in Little Rock, AR
January 18, 2022 07:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MBPhil Brandon stopped by the Heaping Spoonful studio to tell the somewhat far-fetched story of how an electrical engineer by trade ends up establishing the first legal distillery in Arkansas since Prohibition and the incredible boost to his business winning high-profile awards for Rock Town's bourbons has provided.
Kim Daly of City Hall Cheesecake in Hernando, MS
January 04, 2022 07:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBKim Daly of City Hall Cheesecake called the Heaping Spoonful hotline to tell the heartwarming story of how besides creating renowned cheesecake, her three north Mississippi establishments have given dozens of down-on-their-luck people second, third or more chances to turn their lives around.
Bart Barlogie of the Fold and Raduno in Little Rock, AR
December 21, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MBBart Barlogie stopped by the Heaping Spoonful's studio to talk about the Fold and Raduno, his two Little Rock, AR, restaurants that despite totally different looks, feels and menus have these things in common: loyal fan bases, a commitment to fresh ingredients, super-popular weekend brunches and inventive craft cocktail programs.
Heather Baber-Roe of Baja Grill in Central Arkansas
December 07, 2021 07:00 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MBHeather Baber-Roe called the Heaping Spoonful hotline to tell an amazing growth story -- how one Baja Grill in Little Rock led to another in Benton as well as two more restaurants -- and an axe-throwing emporium! -- also in the same location in Benton.
Mexico Chiquito in Little Rock, AR
November 16, 2021 07:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBThree of the five sisters who grew up working at Mexico Chiquito -- their family's business -- stopped by the Heaping Spoonful studio to talk about the restaurant's 86-year history and the amazing cheese dip it invented that remains hugely popular.