Diamond Chef Arkansas

Diamond Chef Arkansas is UA-PTC's signature fundraising event!

Proceeds from the night will fund student scholarships, culinary school equipment and supplies, and student-focused success initiatives and facility improvements.

Make Your Donation now!

Join us for an unforgettable night featuring...

🍴 Restaurant Tasting Stations

Sample dishes from some of central Arkansas' best restaurants and vote for your favorite.

🍽 Student Competition
Our Diamond Chef student teams pair with professional chefs - including former Diamond Chef champions - in a high-energy, two-round culinary competition.

🏆 Honoring Culinary & Hospitality Leaders
We celebrate outstanding local professionals making an impact on the industry and our community.

🍷 VIP Experience
Exclusive access to competition tasting, specialty cocktails, entertainment, and more. The VIP Experience for DCA 2026 will be the entire second story of CAHMI and offer access to VIP-only stations. 

🎁 Unique Auction of Culinary Experiences
Bid on private dinners, chef experiences, and other curated packages you won't find anywhere else.

🎉 Wine Pull • Music • Photo Moments • More

Participating Tasting Stations

The event starts in the parking lot with a taste of a UA-PTC graduate food truck, "Soul Snatcha'z," where you can grab a bite of Cajun pasta. Inside, in addition to the competition and auction, guests are invited to sample items from a variety of local restaurants, including Ciao Baci, Tacos El Carbon, Heritage Catering, Samantha's, J&S Villa, Back Home BBQ, North Bar, The Grumpy Rabbit and Heritage Grille | Steak and Fin, as well as a unique "sea-cuterie" spread created by UA-PTC culinary students. 

This year's VIP experience has officially sold out, reflecting the strong community support for culinary education and student success. General admission tickets are still available for guests who would like to join the celebration and support programs at UA-Pulaski Technical College. In addition to the general event offerings, VIP guests will enjoy exclusive bites from Deluca's Pizza, Southern Tail Brewing, Pleasant Valley Country Club, and Kelly Wassell Chocolates.

Diamond Chef Arkansas 2026 Participants

Diamond Chef Arkansas brings together an exceptional lineup of culinary talent, community leaders, and supporters to celebrate student success and excellence in hospitality.
From professional chefs mentoring UA-Pulaski Technical College Culinary Arts & Hospitality students to judges, emcees, and restaurant partners, this event showcases the strength of our local culinary community and its commitment to education.

Event Emcees
The evening will be guided by two dynamic emcees who help set the tone for this high-energy culinary competition:

• Kevin Shalin, The Mighty Rib
• Pamela Smith, UA-PTC Foundation Board

Judges
Our judging panel features respected culinary professionals who bring industry expertise and thoughtful critique to the competition:

• Daron Hall, K Hall & Sons
• Jordan Davis, Chenal Country Club
• Jack Sundell, The Root Café
  

Floor Judges

• Jill McDonald and Wendy Schay, The Croissanterie
  

The University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 Diamond Chef Community Award honorees!

The annual awards will be presented during Diamond Chef Arkansas on Thursday, April 16. The ceremony highlights individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry and the community through leadership, culinary craft, and philanthropy.

This year's honorees are:

Best in Pastry: Paige Russell-Burt

A Conway native, Paige Russell-Burt earned her pastry certificate in Chicago before honing her craft under acclaimed Chef Paul Virant. After serving as executive pastry chef at Los Angeles' Hatchet Hall-where she was named to Zagat's "30 Under 30"-she returned to Arkansas in 2018. Russell currently leads pastry operations at Fidel & Co. and Sterling Market. She also fosters local community through her bi-monthly cookbook club at Paper Hearts bookstore.
 
 
Best in Hospitality: Manley Clark

Manley Clark is a seasoned executive with nearly 30 years of experience in food and beverage operations. Currently a senior leader at Saracen Casino Resort, the UA-PTC alumnus oversees diverse culinary teams and large-scale hospitality systems. A dedicated mentor and advisory board member, Clark is also the founder of Sudz Laundry Services. His leadership philosophy emphasizes "legacy leadership," focusing on service and stewardship to create meaningful experiences for guests and employees alike.
 
 
Community Impact: Mike Flagg

As General Manager of Hiland Dairy's Little Rock operation since 2001, Mike Flagg has turned corporate success into community support. Under his leadership, Hiland Dairy has provided over $165,000 in financial and in-kind gifts to UA-PTC, including essential dairy products for the culinary school. Flagg serves on numerous boards, including the Ronald McDonald House, and has previously chaired the Diamond Chef event, demonstrating a long-term commitment to Arkansas's workforce and charitable sectors.

Read our full press release here:
UA - Pulaski Tech Foundation names 2026 Diamond Chef Arkansas Community Award honorees

Thank you to our Diamond Chef Arkansas Sponsors!

Thank you to our Diamond Chef Arkansas Planning Committee,

Chaired by Witt Stephens III & Emily Stephens

Learn more about the UA-PTC Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute (CAHMI)

Delivering Education, Experience, and Excellence

Learn More about CAHMI

Congratulations to our 2025 Diamond Chef Arkansas honorees and award winners!

Team Ferneau, led by Alyssa Frisby and Kenneth Knowlton - Diamond Chef Competition Champions
SO Restaurant & Bar - Toast of the Tastings Award
Emily Gray - Community Impact Honoree
Titus Holly - Best in Culinary Honoree
Veo Tyson - Best in Hospitality Honoree