Evening at the Farm 2026 | Farm to Table Dinner in Fayetteville, AR

Join us for our annual Evening at the Farm presented by Haleon on Saturday, October 10th!

Evening at the Farm is a celebration of community and togetherness. Gather with friends, family, and fellow food enthusiasts for a memorable farm to table meal. What began as a small gathering has grown into one of our most beloved traditions, celebrating the flavors of the season and the community that makes it all possible. By attending this event, you'll not only treat yourself to an unforgettable culinary experience, but also support our mission to nourish our community.

Arrive ready to savor a seasonal cocktail by pH Alchemy, setting the stage for an indulgent evening. Then sit down to a bountiful, seasonally inspired multi-course dinner by former James Beard finalist (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024) Chef Rafael Rios, Tyler Rogers, and Case Dighero, a collaboration of some of the stars of NWA's culinary world.

About the Chefs -

Born in Tulare in 1976, California’s San Joaquin Valley, and raised in the Mexican State of Michoacàn until the age of 14, Chef Rafael Rios is a proud ambassador of the authentic regional cuisine of Mexico. Founder of Yeyo’s Mexican Grill in 2012, he materializes memories of the stories told by his father Hector Rios “Yeyo.” Stories of early morning congregations of family and friends, gathering to prepare delicious food that would help them endure long hours harvesting grapes.

In 1997, his desire to make a difference in the lives of others led him to enlist in the U.S. Army where he honorably served for 15 years. Today, with two brick-and-mortar restaurants added to his bank of concepts, the desire to serve and make a difference emboldens him to offer Mexico on a plate. At Yeyo's El Alma de Mexico (the soul of Mexico), Rafael features approachable Mexican food staples, made exceptional by utilizing expertly grown produce from Rios Family Farm. Focus on freshness in the core dishes and seasonal touches and specials provide culinary experiences that harmonize with local seasons.

Rafael works in honor of his father, Don Yeyo, who founded the Rios Family Farm and his core values. Center to those values are the sustainability efforts and support for local farming initiatives with responsible organic practices on their farm, shared with locals since 2008. Chef Rafael believes meaningful, intentional food with history is the most delicious. Food made simply to highlight the highest quality ingredients. Yeyo’s was listed by the New York Times in 2022 in the list of 50 best restaurants in America and Rafael is a four-time semi-finalist (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024) for Best Chef South by the James Beard Foundation. Chef Rafael is called to inspire and inform guests about the bounty that surrounds Northwest Arkansas, and about the traditional cuisines of Mexico that fuel his passion.

Chef Case Dighero is an influential component of the culinary community of Arkansas and the High South. An active proponent of the NWA food movement, Dighero owns the project-based company, Edible Culture, that focuses on culinary insights through the lens of writing, chef work, and entertainment; he is also the food editor of Citiscapes Metro Monthly magazine, promoting food culture and history throughout the Natural State. 

Prior to starting EC, he served as Director of Culinary at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, helping to define the philosophy of “High South” for the museum’s culinary program.  After leaving the museum, Case continued to host several popular public programs that included Wednesday Over Water or WOW, DISH (featuring women in cuisine), and the CR(EAT)E Food Series, all focusing on the entertaining virtues of the cross section between cuisine and art.  He currently serves on several local civic and social committees and partners often with organizations supporting local food education.

Raised off Burnt Bridge Road on the outskirts of Magnolia, AR, Chef Tyler Rogers got his first cooking job as a fry cook at the former Hudgies. Leaving Magnolia in 2008, Tyler worked his way through many well known restaurants in Little Rock, eventually working under Joel Antunes at the Capital Hotel. From there, Tyler worked under Thomas Keller at The French Laundry (Three Michelin Stars), voted the best restaurant in the world twice, in Yountville, California.

Following his stint in California, he worked under Grant Achatz at Alinea (Three Michelin Stars) , as well as Sous Chef under Iliana Regan at Elizabeth (One Michelin Star) in Chicago, IL. Tyler used his expertise to craft local food favorites at Onyx Coffee Lab in Rogers as Culinary Director and Hail Fellow Well Met in Johnson, as Executive Chef.

In May of 2024, Rogers brought his talent and signature warmth to The Restaurant at Stonebreaker (Southern Living, Best New Hotel 2026 nominee) on Markham Hill as Executive Chef, earning rave reviews from guests. Fresh from this success, Chef Tyler is now sharing his talent and passion for culinary art through restaurant consulting and product development, and is also on the hunt for a location to open a business, adding to the great hospitality experiences in our region.

Event Details:

6:00 PM Cocktail hour: To complement our feast, sip on a variety of delicious beverages, including a seasonal crafted cocktail using local spirits from pH Alchemy, an Ozark Beer Company small-batch farmhouse specialty, and traditional favorites from Josh Cellar Wines. Enjoy our custom beverages and garden-fresh appetizers with live music. Dana Louise and Noah Richmond of Meadow Makers will fill the night air with their dreamy folk harmonies and vibrant, roots-inspired sound—setting the perfect mood for a crisp October night under the stars. Mingle through our gorgeous gardens, talk with our farm team, and watch our chefs prepare for the evening’s meal.

7:00 PM Multi-course Dinner & Auction: This year’s featured culinary team will craft a one-of-a-kind meal sourced from local ingredients and elements from our garden. Get excited for our auction for chances to win incredible dining and local experiences that you won’t want to miss!

A big thank you to our sponsors of the Evening at the Farm weekend presented by Haleon. Their support truly makes all the difference for the students and families we serve. 

Location:

Apple Seeds Teaching Farm

2648 N Old Wire Rd

Fayetteville, AR 72703

True to the nature of building and celebrating community, guests will be seated together at shared tables. That is to say, you and your tablemates may be strangers when you arrive, but you’ll be friends before you leave!  Consider purchasing a table of 4, 6, or 8 if you wish to be seated with other specific guests. Contact Carol (carol@appleseedsnwa.org) for unique group sizes.

Seating is limited. Please keep in mind that this event sells out. We are unable to offer refunds for this fundraiser. Evening at the Farm will be held rain or shine - with weather-protected seating, if needed.

Please contact carol@appleseedsnwa.org if you have any special dietary restrictions, a vegetarian request, or a unique seating request.