Bien the Know

Two New Downtown Springdale Spots & Start of 2026- Bert Jones & Ben Elstein

We get details on two new spots coming to downtown Springdale from those directly involved, as we talk to Gaskin’s on Emma’s Bert Jones about Gaskin’s Trattoria and (the soon-to-be) Emma’s Market & Bottle Shop’s Ben Elstein. We also talk about the restaurant business- how 2025 went, and how 2026 has started. That’s on this episode of Bien the Know! Please subscribe and tell a friend!

Lessons Learned from 2025- William Mauk & John Engleman

In this week’s edition of the Bien the Know podcast, William and John talk lessons learned from 2025 – NOT the best year for restaurants. William talks food and restaurant trends, both regional and national. He’ll talk about what he’ll be doing new this year at Bistro 16 and what he’s doubling down on. Also, he answers your recipe questions. What’s stewing on the stove? Do you keep your bacon grease? And finally, Texas Queso vs. Arkansas Cheese Dip (there really is no competition, and we all know it). That’s on this week’s edition of Bien the Know! Please like, subscribe and tell a friend!

Last-Minute Gifting- Dana Smith & Melissa Turpin of Honeycomb Kitchen Shop

Welcome to the December episode of the Bien the Know Podcast! This month, we focus on last-minute gifting at the Honeycomb Kitchen Shop with owners Dana Smith and Melissa Turpin. We talk about late, late last-minute shoppers that are coming in to shop in a panic, some of their most popular items (many of which are Arkansas-made), their very popular cooking classes, many of which sell out quickly, their new sommelier curated wine shop, and much, much more. Plus Chef William gets into your recipe questions, answering them like only he can... Please subscribe, like, rate and tell a friend. Merry Christmas!

Krupp Brothers Winery- Sandy Huffine

In this edition of Bien the Know, we’re talking to Sandy Huffine from Krupp Brothers Wine in Napa Valley. We talk about growing wine through rocky volcanic soil and talk about the integrity of the grapes that make it through. We also take your recipe questions and talk too much about canned ham (more on that next month). Please subscribe, and tell a friend about Bien the Know!

You Sure You Want to be a Chef? Guest- Sam Walker- Gaskins on Emma

In the October episode of the Bien the Know podcast, we address the question, “Are you sure you want to be a chef?” The Food Network, The Bear, along with a multitude of other shows and movies have romanticized the position and the industry, but what’s it really like? John and Chef Will talk with special return guest Sam Walker, executive chef of Gaskins on Emma to discuss and swap stories. Culinary school versus the school of Hard Knocks (and long hours), which is best, or should you do both? What about the climb to executive chef? What’s the hardest position in the kitchen? Nothing but war stories and advice from two local superstar chefs that have lived to show their scars and tell their stories here on this episode of Bien the Know! Sidenote- there's some explicit language in this one, so earmuff those kids!