News

Diamond Chef Arkansas 2026 culinary showdown returns April 16

The University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College Foundation will host Diamond Chef Arkansas on Thursday, April 16 at the UA-PTC South site at the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute, 13000 Interstate 30 in Little Rock.

Tickets for Diamond Chef Arkansas 2026 will go on sale Jan. 14, 2026. General admission is $100 per person. VIP tickets are $200. Sponsorship opportunities are available from $2,500 to $25,000. VIP entry begins at 5:30 p.m. and general entry is at 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at uaptc.edu/diamondchef.

The 2026 event will include professional chefs facing off in an Iron Chef-style competition, a student competition, tasting stations from area restaurants, a unique auction of culinary-themed experiences, a wine pull, and musical entertainment. The event will also honor culinary and hospitality professionals and highlight past Diamond Chefs from the competition's 15-plus year history.

Diamond Chef Arkansas is the signature fundraising event for the UA-PTC Foundation. The event, first hosted by UA-PTC in 2008, raises funds for scholarships, student success initiatives as well as needs for the culinary program and unrestricted funds for college priorities.

Emily and Witt Stephens are serving as the Diamond Chef Arkansas Co-Chairs. Witt Stephens III, a Little Rock native, works as a Senior Analyst for Corporate Development & Investor Relations at Westrock Coffee Company, while Emily Stephens is building her real estate career with Capital Sotheby's International Realty.

“The Diamond Chef fundraiser spotlights UA-PTC as the Central Arkansas gem that it is, where students evolve into visionary culinary leaders, mastering creativity, technique, and business,” said Emily. “The college ignites endless opportunities in our community, and Diamond Chef is how we keep that flame alive.”

This year marks the return with a slightly different format. Six chef teams will compete in the Gold Competition Lab in front of the audience, with each team including a current UA-PTC student paired with prestigious chefs from the local community.

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.

“We are delighted to be presenting the Diamond Chef competition again. The enthusiasm and participation we’ve seen since we brought the event back in 2025 has been exciting to see.” said UA-PTC Foundation Development Officer Marlie Ball Davis. “The event is fun and inspiring, but the results are even more inspiring. We raised more than $176,000 last year.”

New this year, Diamond Chef will honor individuals who have supported the local culinary or hospitality field and the mission of UA-PTC.

Those unable to attend can support student success at UA-PTC through a donation uaptc.edu/foundation.

A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $200 and will provide access to the entire 2nd story VIP lounge, where we will have exclusive tasting stations and cocktails, along with hands-on baking opportunities.

The event’s presenting sponsor is The Stephens Group. Other sponsors include Alessi Keyes Construction, Allegra Print and Imaging, Arkansas Health & Wellness, Bank OZK, Ben E. Keith Foods, Bumper to Bumper, Clark Contractors, Cline Construction Group, Dillard’s, Ecolab, Hiland Dairy Foods, Jenkins, Byler and Roller Family Foundation, McLarty Auto Group, Standard Business Systems, Taggart Architects, and Textbook Brokers. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, please contact Marlie Ball Davis, Development Officer, 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.