Competing Chefs 2025
Chef: Bill Martfeld
Meet Chef Bill Martfeld, the heart and flavor behind the kitchen at Lasang Pinoy ! Born in Pampanga, Philippines, Bill grew up all over the world—Okinawa, Guam, England, both U.S. coasts—before planting roots back in Arkansas. His mom, Tess, sparked his love of cooking, and today, food is still their family’s favorite way to laugh, connect, and share stories.
Bill is a self-proclaimed food nerd who reads cookbooks like they’re novels and experiments with flavors like a mad scientist. With 20+ years in kitchens across the South, he brings together influences from American, European, and Southeast Asian cooking—but his heart belongs to Filipino food.
At Lasang Pinoy, Chef Bill’s mission is simple: celebrate heritage, feed the community, and show the world that Filipino cuisine belongs at the big table of global food culture.
This year, he’s bringing that same passion to Top Chef NWA—and he can’t wait to share a taste of home with Northwest Arkansas!
Chef: Jesus Rodriguez
Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jesus Rodriguez grew up with his eight siblings in the lively kitchen of his family’s La Hacienda, where his mother laid the foundation of his cooking with heartfelt Mexican traditions. From his father, he learned the art of hospitality, shaping his approach to welcoming guests. A Brightwater Culinary School graduate, Jesus channels his passion into creating authentic, soulful dishes. He runs day-to-day operations at the family-owned San Miguel Mexican Grill and Bar while collaborating with his siblings at La Hacienda, Casa Jovero, and Uptown Burgers. With a deep interest in mexican techniques and cooking. Also in corn, nixtamalization, and smoking, Jesus crafts food that honors his heritage with quiet creativity. Guided by family values, he strives to bring people together through warm hospitality and honest flavors, sharing the rich tastes of his roots.
Chef: Ronnie Mathis
Meet Roni Mathis, a chef and Culinologist with over fifteen years of experience in creating mouthwatering menus and running kitchens. Her love for food started young—she was just six when she first tasted Lebanese cuisine, and her passion grew as she cooked traditional dishes with her Mexican step-mother, learning to appreciate a world of flavors.
Roni’s culinary journey has been a rich one, from working in bustling restaurants to owning and running two successful food businesses. Her formal training includes a Bachelor of Applied Science in Culinary Science from Texas Woman’s University and an Associate of Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University. Her career has seen her in roles from Executive Chef to R&D Chef.
Recently, Roni moved from Texas to Northwest Arkansas to join the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at the Market Center of the Ozarks as the Research and Development Manager. Here, she’s channeling her extensive experience into helping food entrepreneurs thrive. When she’s not working, you’ll find her diving into hydroponic gardening or exploring the local restaurant scene, always on the lookout for new culinary adventures. Roni has been engaged in disaster relief cooking since 2016 and when her schedule permits, you will find her running off to feed people that have been affected by natural disasters.
Chef Sara Guevara
Sara Guevara is a chef, published cookbook author, and culinary entrepreneur, born and raised in San Diego, California. Drawing on her Mexican and Italian heritage, she has built a reputation for bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and authentic recipes.
After a career in catering and the entertainment industry in California, Sara relocated to Northwest Arkansas in 2013. After a near death experience in 2022, she was determined to follow her dreams. She co-founded her two catering businesses in 2022 (Candy Coated Chaos Co.) and 2023 (Mr.G’s SoCal), and currently serves as a chef at the Walmart AMP. Deeply rooted in family tradition, she credits much of her culinary success to the recipes and techniques passed down through generations.
Sara is an active force in the local food scene, competing in local culinary competitions that benefit charitable causes, donating home-cooked meals to families in need, and donating and volunteering with local charitable organizations. She is excited to share her passion for food and love of cooking with Top Chef NWA.
