The Arkansas Beef Council

Beef, It's What's For Dinner!
Beef can help provide the nutrition and protein for an active, modern lifestyle, and help families make the most of their days and meals.
Donette Spann, Promotion Director of the Arkansas Beef Council, will be grilling up some Arkansas Beef to promote and educate consumers regarding the benefits and enjoyment of purchasing, preparing, cooking and eating Beef!
Stop by Booth #514-516 at the Food Pavilion!

The Arkansas Beef Council's Chef COOKOFF

FLAT IRON STEAK CELEBRITY CHEF COOKOFF
Cheer on your favorite Chef while our Judges award the best plate of Flat Iron Steak.
Judges: Donette Spann, Chef Erin Szopiak, Chef Brandon Douglas
The Arkansas Crew will Emcee!

Chef Susan Beard

Susan Beard is the Culinary Operations Manager for Slim Chickens Restaurants where she is responsible for evolving, creating and innovating both menu development and kitchen operations. She is an award winning professional chef and culinary manager with 19 years of experience in leading teams of different styles and cuisines in restaurants and hotels. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hendrix College and a Diploma in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Houston.
Susan has been happily married to her husband, Brandon, for 18 years. They have two daughters, Ruby and Alexa, and a Boston Terrier named Delphi. Susan is proud of and actively involved in her Northwest Arkansas community.

Chef Brent Hale

Chef Hale began his career in Fort Worth, Texas, as a personal chef to the President of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Afterwards, he created his first catering company, Dining by Design. BIG sexy Food followed in January 2016, specializing in high end, in-home dining. It expanded in August 2016, offering Modern American cuisine with a focus on off-the-wall burgers.
Chef Hale was also a recent winner of Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games,” Friend or Foe episode and is the host of the culinary segment for NWA ALIVE, highlighting local happenings, entrepreneurial businesses, sports, non-profits, and the food scene.

SPRINGTIME IN THE OZARK

Sugar Artists Danny Lane & Rebecca Woodard

Join us at the Expo as cake, frosting and artistry combine to create an edible Springtime panorama. Watch as Cake Designers from Harps Food Stores work decorating Magic to bring dessert to life.

With over 45 years of combined Sugar art and cake decorating experience, Danny and Rebecca have done everything from teaching aspiring decorators, hosting seminars and bridal shows to competing in national competitions and televised cake challenges. Both currently work for Harps Food Stores and are both merchandisers on the planning committee for the International Dairy, Deli, Bakery Association. Danny and Rebecca are most recognized for their winning episodes on Food Network. From amazing wedding cakes and sculpted and shaped designs, to over the top designs that defy logic there is not much this duo has not tried. They really do have icing in their veins and plan to spend many more years creating amazing designs and putting smiles on the faces of anyone who receives their works of art.

ENTERTAINING WITH PETIT JEAN MEATS

Chef Brandon Douglas

Chef Brandon Douglas is currently the Executive Chef at The Green Leaf Grill, working with the staff to create fresh healthy foods for Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield employees and guests from all over downtown! I enjoy getting creative with my stations and working with locally farmed produce. Other culinary ventures include: Four plus awesome years as the Executive Chef of Big Rock Bistro at Pulaski Technical College – Arkansas Culinary School. I also instructed the Culinary School Apprenticeship Class each semester. Two great years as Executive Chef of Arkansas Children’s Hospital. At both of these locations I have been honored to be nominated as Chef of the Year in 2012 and 2014. I have been a Certified Executive Chef since 2012.
Stop by Booth #530-532 at the Food Pavilion!

Chef Erin Szopiak

Erin Szopiak, MS., RD., LD. Erin, Chef Instructor at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, is both a chef and a registered dietitian. Erin's career journey began with her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. After many years in school and working as a registered dietitian in a variety of settings, Erin went to work under James Beard award winning chef and several other brilliant chefs in the St. Louis area. Since entering the culinary world, Erin has found a love for exploring a variety of cuisines from around the world, and developed a soft spot for baking and pastry. Her passion for nutrition and public health has not been forgotten. Becoming a chef has only strengthened her desire to bring culinary arts and the science of nutrition more into alignment.

The Arkansas Beef Council Chef's Kitchen Stage Schedule