In this episode of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re back in downtown Springdale as we interview Mitchell Owen, co-owner of Zelli Pasta, a homemade pasta and Italian Market on Emma.

It started out as a product of the pandemic, as like many, they were cooking quite a bit at home. When they were deciding on what to make and sell, pasta wasn’t their initial plan.

Mitchell tells us about what it took to get Zelli open and the first thing they ordered to start the business.

As the store grew, so did the offerings, especially on the retail side once they found the proper distributors and could make it work.

On the pasta side, Mitchell will tell you what they use to make theirs, what kind they make, and why making pasta to sell didn’t work out so much at home before the store. Also, humidity plays a big role in pasta-making. Who knew?!?

They’re also about to expand, and Mitchell breaks a little news about a new product coming soon… We hope you check out this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast!

On this week’s edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas, it’s podcast number 20! Yup, we’re geeked about that. What better time than episode 20 to do our first BBQ interview? That exactly what we did with Jordan Poole (not the NBA player) of OZ Smokehouse in downtown Rogers.

Jordan’s originally from Memphis, but his BBQ isn’t. It’s not Texas Style, nor is it KC style. He calls it Ozark BBQ and has interesting reasons for it.

Jordan also has a past as a competition BBQ-er, even made a name for himself in it. In one competition, he finished very high and could’ve finished higher had it not been for a famous judge. He tells the story.

How many people do you know that have fired their wife? Well, kind of. Jordan has, and it’s actually a funny one.

The very first day of service for OZ Smokehouse was for Bikes, Blues and BBQ and they were right in the middle of the action. Also? They almost burned down on the first day. Mercy… Jordan will explain.

We hope you check it out & enjoy #20!

On this edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we’re having our “Best of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas” episode.

We hear a segment from our very first interview, which was with Lance Corbin of Pesto’s by Lance. Lance is a natural storyteller and I was nervous and hoping that my battery would hold out as I hadn’t used my equipment for an interview before. He carried me like a pack-mule.

Our “Best of” Mike Engleman Home Pro Tip of the Week is from Darwin Beyer at Meiji in Fayetteville and it is YUM.

We round out the podcast with William Mauk from Bienvenue in Springdale. William has an amazing culinary past and he talks about moving to NWA and working towards getting Bienvenue off the ground.

We hope you give it a listen!