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Supporters of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks gathered on May 25th in rain and shine for Chefs in the Garden. Proceeds from the sold-out benefit in the Fayetteville garden will help with maintenance and annual programming. “When we started planning Chefs in the Garden, Covid-19 was in full swing and we weren’t sure what to do to make the event safe. With good planning and improved health conditions, the night couldn’t have been better, ”said the organizers. “Even a little rain didn’t stop our guests from enjoying the wonderful food, music and, above all, the community.”
The organizers took the opportunity to support the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, with a portion of the proceeds going to the charitable organization.
Kent Eikenberry, President and CEO of the Food Bank, says the garden’s “generous donation will help us provide the much-needed food for our friends and neighbors to make a better place to live.”
Rafael Rios from Yeyo’s Mexican Grille in Bentonville and Yeyo’s Taqueria in Rogers served as this year’s honorary chef. The guests enjoyed snacks and drinks from restaurants and caterers in the area and voted for their favorites, while the event chefs chose their favorites.
Prize winners were:
• People’s Choice Best Bite – Chef Bob Hiller, Comida Artesenal Tapas Bar;
• People’s Choice Best Chef – Chef Shurla Jobe, Meme’s Caribbean Flavor;
• Chefs’ Choice Best Bite – Chef Bob Hiller, Comida Artesenal;
• Chefs’ Choice Best Chef – Marshall Shafkowitz, Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food.
Other participants were 28 springs; Bordinos Restaurant and Wine Bar; Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food; Café-Rue Orleans; Comida Artesenal tapas bar; Local flavor café; Caribbean Taste Memes; Mockingbird Kitchen; Southern Food Company; Springdale Country Club; Theos Fayetteville; and Tula.
The garden’s fantastic Tuesday evenings started last week. Until August, the garden is open from 5pm to 8pm and is free to the public. Liz Atwell, communications director, tells me, “This family-friendly series allows the community in northwest Arkansas and beyond to experience the garden on fine summer evenings.”
There are also three free concerts this year:
• June 22nd – Bill Dollar & Change;
• July 13 – The Austin Farnam Quartet; and
• August 17th – dandelion heart.
More event photos – nwadg.com/photos/society.
The columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@nwadg.com.
Kent Eikenberry, President and CEO of Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, and Charlotte Taylor, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Executive Director, stand for a photo at Chefs in the Garden. The board was a beneficiary of the fundraiser. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
Mike Wulf, Heather Silva, Gayle Howard and Marilyn Misenhimer, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks Volunteers, welcomed the guests to the fundraiser on May 25th. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
Tom and Barbara Verdery (from left) and Ann and Mike Hernick visit Chefs in the Garden. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
Kristin and Kevin O’Farrell (from left) as well as Elizabeth and Kirk Walda visit Chefs in the Garden with Dean Walda. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
Bryan and Cari Lewis (from left), Steve Lewis and Nancy Pinkerton enjoy Chefs in the Garden. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
Gaye Cypert (left) and Susan Rieff support the Ozarks Botanical Garden. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
Karen Cox (left) and Lynda Grier, BGO volunteers, help with Chefs in the Garden. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
Bob and Carlena Lambert (from left), Megan Rose and Marko Hardin, and Karen and Gary Compton gather at Chefs in the Garden. (NWA Democrat-Gazette / Carin Schoppmeyer)
More news
At a glance
Cooks in the garden
Who: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
What: The region’s chefs provided nibbles and drinks as they battled for the top honors.
When: May 25th
Where: The garden in Fayetteville
Next: Great Tuesday evenings
Information: (479) 750-2620 or bgozarks.org
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