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UA – Pulaski Tech cooks up the return of Diamond Chef Arkansas April 3

The University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College Foundation (UA-PTC) announces the return of Diamond Chef Arkansas, the signature fundraising event first hosted by UA-PTC in 2008. Diamond Chef Arkansas will take place at the UA-PTC South site at the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute, 13000 Interstate 30, on Thursday, April 3, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Diamond Chef Arkansas will raise funds for student scholarships, student success initiatives and for supplies and equipment for culinary and hospitality degree programs. The celebration, chaired by Leah and Chef Payne Harding, will include an Iron Chef-style competition and tasting stations hosted by area restaurants.

Chef Payne Harding is the owner and chef of Cache restaurant and is an adjunct instructor in the UA-PTC Culinary program. He was recently recognized as the Delta Diamond Chef winner at the American Culinary Federation, Arkansas chapter, annual event in Pine Bluff in October.

“I’m passionate about competing,” said Chef Harding. “I’m excited to chair such a beloved event and raise funds to help change lives of students at UA - Pulaski Tech.”

The Diamond Chef event was held in person from 2008 to 2019 and virtually in 2021, due to COVID-19. Previous years have brought in some of the top chefs from around the state to battle for the title of Diamond Chef.

This year marks the return with a slightly different format. Six chef teams will compete in the Coca-Cola Competition Lab in front of the audience, with each team including a current UA-PTC student paired with a previous Diamond Chef Champion. Returning Champions include chefs Dan Capello, Jordan Davis, Donnie Ferneau, Marc Guizol, Jason Knapp, Andre Poirot, and MaryBeth Ringgold.

Diamond Chef winners and student teams will compete in two rounds, with an initial heat involving all six teams. The second round will be pared down to the top three teams and will include a mystery basket of ingredients to be announced to the teams prior to competition.

During the celebration, guests can sample food and drinks at tasting stations provided by local restaurants. So far, participating restaurants include Brood & Barley, Cache, Ciao Baci, Heritage Catering, Mugs, Red Oak, Scoops Ice Cream, SO Restaurant & Bar, Table 28, and The Grumpy Rabbit. Additional desserts will be provided by UA-PTC baking and pastry students.

“We are excited to be bringing this competition back in such a unique way this year and to have our students working shoulder to shoulder with past Diamond Chefs is even more amazing.” said Melissa Hendricks, Vice Chancellor for Advancement at UA-PTC. “We are excited to invite community members back to celebrate the culinary landscape in central Arkansas and to show their support for UA-PTC and our students.”

Guest judges are: Kevin Shalin of the Mighty Rib food blog; Jennifer Maune, finalist on Master Chef and UA-PTC graduate; and Chef Ken Dempsey. New this year, Diamond Chef will honor individuals who have supported the local culinary or hospitality field and the mission of UA-PTC.

General admission tickets are $100 may be purchased at uaptc.edu/diamondchef. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $200 and will provide access to the VIP lounge, where Bijoux will perform live, students will be creating samples of the competition recipes, and a signature diamond cocktail will be available.

The event’s presenting sponsor is Linda and Rush Harding. Other sponsors include Allegra Print and Imaging, Bank OZK, Baptist Health, Ben E. Keith Foods, The Hatcher Agency, Hiland Dairy, Jenkins, Byler and Roller Family Foundation, Merchants and Farmers Bank, Performance Foodservice, and Southwest Power Pool. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, please contact Melissa Hendricks, Vice Chancellor of Advancement at [email protected].

About UA - Pulaski Technical College Foundation

The UA - Pulaski Technical College Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the college. Chartered as a non-profit organization for educational purposes, the Foundation solicits and receives tax-deductible gifts and manages these gifts and bequests for the benefit of the college.