On August 16, 2022, the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted “Party in the Garden”, an elegant reception and dinner at Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South in North Little Rock.

100% of the net proceeds will assist the North Little Rock CVB and North Little Rock School District with implementing Cooking Matters, a program that teaches under-resourced families how to cook and shop for healthy foods on a budget.

The evening began with a reception in the lobby, with live classical music by Cliff & Susan, a bar serving a signature “Blackberry Bramble” cocktail, and appetizers prepared by Chef Shane Henderson of Ben E. Keith Foods.

Over a delicious meal prepared by Chef Henderson and Chef Brayan McFadden of Brood & Barley in North Little Rock, the North Little Rock CVB shared a presentation about its new “Setting the Table” Culinary Initiative and featured the following speakers: Rusty Mathis, General Manager of Ben E. Keith Foods; Chef Henderson; Chef McFadden; John Gillenwater with Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance; and Mary Lee Dennis and Heather Newburn with the North Little Rock School District.

The Party in the Garden event is one of several components of North Little Rock’s “Setting the Table” Culinary Initiative, an effort to define and strengthen culinary tourism for the city which will optimize the local food ecosystem as a key driver for the city’s brand.

Host Location: Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South Division

Flowers: Hodge Podge

Production: CWP Productions

Live Music: Cliff & Susan