2 Bentonville Cooks Nominated for James Beard Award

(James Beard Basis)

Two Bentonville cooks have been named semifinalists for a James Beard award, the nonprofit James Beard Basis introduced.

Matt Cooper and Rafael Rios are amongst 20 cooks from six states and Puerto Rico nominated within the “Greatest Chef: South” class.

Cooper is the chef at Conifer, a gluten-free restaurant identified for its emphasis on sustainability and its work with native farmers. Rios is the chef at Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico, a street-style restaurant identified for its homegrown substances. Yeyo’s was one of many first meals vehicles in Bentonville. It expanded to a brick-and-mortar location in 2018.

James Beard awards acknowledge distinctive expertise and achievement within the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader meals system, in addition to a “demonstrated dedication to racial and gender fairness, neighborhood, sustainability, and a tradition the place all can thrive.”

Finalists shall be introduced on April 3. Winners shall be introduced on the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 10 on the Lyric Opera of Chicago.