The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks saw more than 500 supporters for the annual Chefs in the Garden benefit Tuesday evening at the garden in Fayetteville. Guests were able to sample tastes created by area chefs, then vote for their favorite chef. Chef Thor Maher of Ella's Restaurant took the 2016 Best Chef honors. The benefit helped bring in and estimated $35,000 that will go to support the garden and its children's educational programs.
Case Dighero, honorary chairman of the event, led a question and answer session with Maudie Schmitt, Cafe Rue Orleans; Bill Lyle, Eleven at Crystal Bridges; and Chrissy Sanderson, Mockingbird Kitchen, former honorary chairmen of the event. Each discussed their commitment to using locally sourced ingredients in their restaurants.
At a Glance
Chefs in the Garden
Who: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
What: The annual fundraiser features area chefs and their dishes.
When: Tuesday
Where: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville
Next: Fall Finale, Oct. 11
Information: (479) 750-2620
Reception
Who: Friends of UAMS
What: The reception was an opportunity for guests to learn more about UAMS and UAMS Northwest.
When: Wednesday
Where: Hunt Tower in Rogers
Information: (501) 526-4801
This year's fundraiser also featured other chefs and their restaurants, including Kurt Planekenhorn, 28 Springs; Joseph Wyman, Bonefish Grill; Russell Whitfield, Fresco Restaurant & Cocktails; Jerrmy Gawthrop, Greenhouse Grille; Mollie Mullis, Oven and Tap; Alan Dierks, Vetro 1925 Ristorante; Sam Pak, Wasabi; Sarah Comstock, Whole Foods Market; and Mitch Evans, Yarnell's Ice Cream.
Johnelle Hunt welcomed the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences backers' inaugural Friends of UAMS Northwest Arkansas chapter gathering Wednesday evening at Hunt Tower in Rogers. The Northwest Arkansas chapter brings the state total to 10 chapters.
Andrea Peel, UAMS associate vice chancellor of communications and marketing, told me it's not a fundraising group. Rather, it is an educational forum to learn more about UAMS and its impact around the state.
"The idea is to have Friends of UAMS to expand through their network to learn about UAMS and particularly understand what UAMS does in their area," Peel said.
Dr. Dan Rahn, UAMS chancellor, told guests about the school's approximately 30 programs "focused on education, research and clinical care. UAMS pays special attention to addressing the needs of children and the elderly as well as underserved populations, including Marshallese and Hispanic residents of Northwest Arkansas. These programs represent a $25 million investment in Northwest Arkansas by UAMS."
Those "Friending" UAMS included Johnelle Hunt, Marilyn Bogle, Nancy and Dick Trammel, Donna and Lewis Epley, Carl Collier, Ann and Morriss Henry, Betsy Phillips, Evelyn and Charles Jorgenson, Mary Ann and Philip Taldo, Ann Rosso, Mandy Macke, Charles Scharlau and Mary Ann and Reed Greenwood.
For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 09/18/2016