Judges 2025

Chef: Casey Coverdell

Casey Coverdell was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and relocated to Northwest Arkansas in 2014 in search of a quieter lifestyle.  In 2019, he accepted the role as Executive Chef at the Walmart AMP, where he continues to lead backstage culinary operations for nationally recognized touring artists.  Since then, he has also launched I’d Smoke That Catering and has twice earned the title of TOP CHEF NWA.  Casey remains deeply committed to his craft, balancing his thriving culinary career with the support of his wife, Emily, and their two sons.…

Chef: Dustin Simmons - Flashback Pizza and Milkshake

Dustin Simmons, Co-Owner and Executive Chef of Flashback Pizza and Milkshakes in Rogers, Arkansas, has spent nearly two decades perfecting his craft in the restaurant world. A Brightwater Culinary School graduate and former food truck owner, Dustin combines his love for great food with a passion for creating a nostalgic, family-friendly space where every meal feels like a memory in the making.

Chef: Jessica Keahey

Jessica Keahey is an enthusiastic Instructor at Brightwater, one of the nation’s premiere culinary institutes, providing exemplary education in Beverage Management and Food Safety. She has studied extensively with food and beverage experts from around the globe, while making and mongering for the past 13 years.  Keahey holds a Level 3 Award in Wines and has successfully completed the ETP specialized educator training course from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET).  She holds certifications through the Society of Wine Educators, and is a Intermediate Level Certified Sherry Wine Specialist, Rhône Valley Vineyards Specialist, Certified Cheese Professional, FSPCA PCQI (food safety nerd), certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctor.

Jessica is also the owner of Sweet Freedom Cheese, Arkansas’ first cut-to-order cheese shop (formerly of 8th Street Market fame), featured in such publications as The Wall Street Journal, Wine Enthusiast, Taste of Home, and the show Only In. Focused now on education, Keahey has taught numerous academic, private, and professional culinary classes across the region with a focus on wine, beer, cheese, gastrophysics, and fermentation. She gleefully provides consultation for startups and small businesses in everything from equipment to taxes and permitting and was featured in Wood’s book Women Make Arkansas for her entrepreneurial efforts and contributions in Arkansas' culinary community. 

Chef: Maudie Schmitt - Café Rue Orleans

Chef and co-owner, Maudie Schmitt, has an extensive restaurant heritage. Grandparents on both sides of her family were restaurant and bar owners in the greater New Orleans area. Her mother was born on Tchoupitoulas Street in an apartment above the family restaurant in what has been declared by the historic committee as the oldest townhouse in New Orleans. A mirrored window pane from that building hangs in Cafe Rue Orleans and serves as a reminder of Maudie’s restaurant ancestry.

Maudie learned to cook from the many great chef’s in her own lively family. She was always encouraged to be creative in the kitchen and has become a true culinary artist. Some of her favorite memories were made around the family kitchen table, laughing, talking and sharing recipes. Serving good food to people is Maudie’s way of bringing her family history to your table.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Maudie graduated from a local high school. She attended Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and returned to New Orleans to begin her teaching career. After a few years, she relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana, where she taught special education for 23 years.

But she never stopped cooking! She catered special events throughout her teaching career and finally decided to retire from teaching and open a restaurant. She always loved Arkansas and chose to move to Fayetteville for an adventure. And what an adventure it has been! Cafe Rue Orleans opened on January 10, 2001, and has been blessed with much success.

Maudie can be seen on FOOD NETWORK’S SuperMarket Stakeout in the premiere episode .

Chef: Michael Henry

Chef Michael Henry is a respected culinary leader and owner of Jim & I Gourmet Foods, Kokomo Catering, and the creative force behind his new restaurant Back Nine. With roots in Northwest Arkansas and a career that bridges classic technique with local flavor, he brings passion, precision, and authenticity to every dish he creates.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Chef Mike’s culinary journey began early in his career, from humble beginnings as a dish washer at a local university, to evolving through years of diverse kitchen experience and global influence. Known for his thoughtful approach to food, continuous commitment to hospitality and education, he continues to champion the idea that great meals connect all people and tell an unspoken story.

This year, Chef Mike returns to NWA Top Chef as both a judge and dessert artisan, lending his expertise and creative eye to celebrate the region’s growing culinary scene.

Chef: Chef Paul Allen

Chef Paul Allen has been a private yacht chef for over a decade traveling the world. Traveling to new lands he fell in love with local ingredients and feels you can’t get better than local. Graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY. Owner & Operator of Allen Event Group a service that placed private chefs in your home. As well as social media influencer he runs The Chefs View.

Doctor James Myshka

I Enjoy Judging A Variety Of Different Food Contests.

My Family Traveled In The Navy As A Child And I Have Lived In Several States Around Different Parts Of The Country, Sampling And Enjoying Flavors From The Different Regions.

I Have Also Traveled Internationally And Love The Different Food Cultures.

I Am Excited To Be Invited To Judge In My Home State of Arkansas.

·      Doc (Jim) Myshka WFC Bio 2025

·      World Food Championship Judge

·      5 WFC Championships

·      (Judged 19 WFC Categories)

·      Bacon (3), Burgers (6) , Chef, Chili (2), Desserts (2),

·      Noodles, Recipe, Sandwiches, Seafood (2),

·      Soup, Steaks, Noodles

·      Master KCBS BBQ Judge (200+)

·      100+ Prime SCA Steak Judge (200+)

·      SCA Ancillary Judge (20)

·      IBCA BBQ (1)

·      Springfield Sertoma Chili (4)

·      Taco De Somo (3)

·      World Squirrel Festival (3)

·      Arkansas Pie Championship (3)

Erin Rowe - Ozark Culinary Tours

Chef Erin Rowe is an NWA native and cookbook author of An Ozark Culinary History. She’s a graduate of Maui Culinary Academy and the undefeated Arkansas State Beef Champion (4 years running).  Erin guides food tours of NWA through her company, Ozark Culinary Tours. She restaurant consults and teaches cooking and mixology classes. She was nominated as the Arkansas Food Proprietor of the Year in 2021. Most of all, she loves food and beverage and the people of the Ozarks. Intertwining the past and present on the palate is her unique working mission.

John Engleman

John has the best job on earth. He hosts the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, where he gets to hear some unbelievable stories from very talented food and beverage pros here in Northwest Arkansas. Check it out on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.

In high school and college, he worked in restaurants. From waiting tables, to hosting, bartending and bussing tables, he was well versed in front-of-house operations.

After 8 years in radio in Dallas, John got into TV news (sports, actually), working 9 years in Sherman, TX, El Paso, TX and locally here in NWA as sports director at KFSM, 5News.

John spent the next 11 years in PR/Media Relations, and is now back to his roots on the media side and having a blast.

Lakyra Banks - 40/29

Lakyra Banks is the weekday 4 p.m. evening anchor for 40/29 News. A proud graduate of the University of Arkansas, she is passionate about keeping her community informed and connected through local journalism.