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New episodes of 'Cook With Brooks' to premiere on AETN March 25

Posted 23 Mar 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, March 25, 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 March 25 include:

• 'Hail to Kale,' March 25 – This episode visits Ozark Alternatives Farm in Lowell, Arkansas. Owner Paul Chapracki shares how he and his family have been growing food for over eight years. Chapracki has found a niche working directly with restaurants and businesses to make local food available. Local business Native Nectar does something a little different with the farm's fresh greens – juicing. In the kitchen, Brooks creates a Kale and Bacon Frittata.
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• 'Pigs are Big,' April 1 – Two farms – Hanna Family Ranch in Bentonville and Bansley's Berkshire Ridge Farm in Harrison – are making a mark in the Arkansas pig business. Visits to both farms teach viewers about the different breeds, what makes the farms different and how they have had a pig partnership at times. When Brooks returns to the kitchen he prepares Pork Tenderloin Vegetable Medley.
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• 'Feeding the Soul,' April 8 – This episode features the Fayetteville Roots Festival, which showcases what makes this region of the Ozarks unique. In addition to the festivities, it also supports locally sourced food and restaurants. Brooks enjoys the VIP kick-off party, helps judge in the great Chef Cook-off and does a cooking demo with fresh baby eggplants, squash, herbs and pears from the farmers market.

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. 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 statewide public television network that 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. 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).