Arkansas’ premiere cooking competition has narrowed its field down to the final six. These finalists emerged from the Diamond Chef semifinals on Monday and will cook against one another and last year’s champion Mary Beth Ringgold in April:
- Casey Copeland – The Avenue
- Jordan Davis – Chenal Country Club
- Brandon Douglas – Green Leaf Grill
- Jamie McAfee – Pine Bluff Country Club
- Joseph Salgueiro – Pleasant Valley Country Club
- Coby Smith – Arkansas Heart Hospital
Copeland and Douglas were both finalists last year and will be looking to improve on their performances that saw them fall short to Ringgold, who became the first woman in Diamond Chef’s ten-year history to win the event. The finals for Diamond Chef Arkansas are scheduled for April 19 of next year.
It’s been in the works for years now, but Yellow Rocket Concepts is officially in Northwest Arkansas. Earlier this week Big Orange Rogers opened its doors for what it’s calling “soft open week.” The restaurant in the Pinnacle Hills Promenade will be open for its normal business hours as the staff get settled in to the new business. Once Big Orange Rogers is running along, Scott McGehee and his team will turn their attention to opening Local Lime Rogers, which will be located in the same shopping center. This Local Lime will be the largest bar and dining room Yellow Rocket has ever built, so keep your eyes peeled for new information there in the coming months.
Today, David’s Burgers is turning seven years old, and the hugely popular burger company is celebrating in a unique way. Today only, you can get 10 percent off your meal order … if your name is David. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first, middle or last name, just show that your name is David and get your discount. In the seven years it’s been in business, David’s Burgers has opened nine locations and been widely recognized as one of the best burgers in the state. The company was last reported to be working on its tenth location, which would be a second spot in Conway.
If you’re planning a visit to H.B.’s Bar B.Q. in the next couple of months, you might want to call ahead first to make sure the restaurant will be open when you get there. H.B.’s owner Bruce Slaughter has been undergoing immunotherapy treatments as part of his sixth battle with cancer, and the restaurant says it may have to close for a day or two at a moment’s notice if his health turns. Slaughter will also have eye surgery next month. The Slaughter family has owned and run H.B.’s for decades off of Scott Hamilton Road. All of us at Rock City Eats wish Bruce a full and fast recovery. If you haven’t been before, you are missing out on what is easily one of Little Rock’s best kept food secrets.
One of my favorite meals in the city is sitting at the bar at Table 28 and ordering several small plates. There are some new additions to the small plate menu now, and we stopped by for a preview of some decadent and eye-opening cuisine.
Flyway Brewing is ready to expand its lineup of canned beer. We chatted with owner Jess McMullen about why he chose Free Range Brown Ale as the next Flyway brew to hit store shelves.
Events
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Specials
Yellow Rocket Concepts has unveiled its specials for the month of November:
- Big Orange: Frito Chili Pie Burger and Pecan Pie Shake
- Local Lime: Lobster and Shrimp Enchiladas
- Zaza: Arkansas Waldorf Salad, and Winter Squash and Sausage Pizza
Ristorante Capeo’s weekly special is a fresh fish entree. The risotto of the week is made with chicken and asparagus.
Flyway Brewing’s weekly special is Turducken Sliders, made with ground chicken, duck and turkey.
