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New episodes of 'Cook With Brooks' to premiere on AETN June 17

Posted 13 Jun 2017

"Cook With Brooks" – a weekly, documentary-style educational program dedicated to telling the whole story of food in Arkansas – will premiere three new episodes on the Arkansas Educational Television Network beginning Saturday, June 17, at 5 p.m. Chef Steven Brooks of Bella Vista hosts the series that places an emphasis on local farmers, restaurants, chefs and other interesting stories about Arkansas food – showing where it's from, how to make it and who shares it.

New episodes beginning June 17 include:

• 'Edible and Incredible,' June 17 – For over 20 years, Jay Fulbright of Arkansas Natural Produce has been producing high quality, fresh produce in Hot Spring County, Arkansas. All the crops– gourmet spring mix, microgreens, edible flowers, fresh herbs and peppers – are grown using organic practices. Brooks returns to the kitchen with ingredients for chicken salad with fennel.
• 'Hub of Food,' June 24 – This episode features a visit to the new Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food in Bentonville, Arkansas. Glenn Mack explains how this school breaks the mold by focusing on the larger food system, culinary skills, wellness and strengthening local food networks to change the paradigm of culinary education. Chef Brooks takes viewers into his classroom, where he teaches part-time. Featured in the kitchen is Dream Kasestatad of Pranom Pop Up, in town for the Bentonville Film Festival.
• 'For the Love of Farming,' July 1 – The final episode of season 1 takes viewers on a journey to the Arnold Family Farm in Alma, Arkansas. Randy Arnold shows all the reasons he loves farming. He started with chickens, then decided to get into the niche of growing strawberries. Plus, he raises cattle to help fill the shelves at his general store on old Highway 71. Brooks helps pick strawberries for his pie while learning all this farm is doing for the community around it.

With more than 10 years of experience as an executive chef for various Arkansas restaurants and country clubs, Brooks has mastered the art of cooking. In his current executive chef position, he works on a daily basis with farms across Arkansas and connects them with the restaurants that want local, sustainable food. He is passionate about representing farmers, chefs and restaurants – and giving their stories a voice.

'Cook With Brooks' airs Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on AETN. Episodes and recipes are also available at aetn.org/cookwithbrooks.

'Cook With Brooks' is produced by Bod High Productions and presented by AETN. Brooks also hosted 'Cooking Today' on KNWA, and the program was awarded the Arkansas Broadcasters' Association's 2014 Outstanding Production of the Year.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network is Arkansas's only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through the distinct channels AETN PBS, AETN Create, AETN PBS KIDS, AETN World and AETN AIRS on SAP. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).