Diamond Chef Arkansas

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

UA-PTC Foundation Diamond Chef Arkansas

Thank you to our guests, sponsors, friends and supporters for a successful Diamond Chef Arkansas, presented by Linda and Rush Harding!

Close to 500 people gathered together on Thursday, April 3, at the UA-PTC to watch six student teams mentored by former Diamond Chef winners compete for the title of Diamond Chef 2025.

For the first time, UA-Pulaski Technical College honored outstanding professionals in the culinary and hospitality fields. They were: Titus Holly, Chef at Holly Smokes and The Pantry, Best in Culinary; Emily Gray, Chicken Salad Chick owner, Community Impact and Veo Tyson, Country Club of Little Rock, Best in Hospitality.

Brood & Barley Bar, Cache Restaurant, Catering Arkansas, Ciao Baci, Cypress Social, Heritage Catering, Red Oak at Saracen, Scoops Homemade Ice Cream, SO Restaurant + Bar, Table 28, The Buttered Biscuit, The Grumpy Rabbit and UA-PTC baking students hosted tasting stations for guests.

Chef Dan Capello mentored students Karrington Cuningkin, Tyler Hobbs and Michael Stout; Chef Jordan Davis mentored students Austin Robinson and Twanisha-Killian Graham; Chef Donnie Ferneau Jr. mentored students Alyssa Frisby and Kenneth Knowlton; Chef Jason Knapp mentored students Kathleen Rollings and Cassidy Perry; Chef Andre Poirot mentored students Jackson Haus and Cierra Miller and Chef Mary Beth Ringold mentored students Sarah King and Andrew Geisler.

Event chairs Leah and Chef Payne Harding announced Team Ferneau as the Diamond Chef 2025 winning team and SO Restaurant + Bar as the Toast of the Tastings restaurant.

Funds raised from Diamond Chef Arkansas will be invested in scholarships and student success initiatives as well as needs for the culinary program.

Mark your calendar for April 16, 2026, for Diamond Chef Arkansas!

Photo Highlights