Cultivating Community Through Farm-to-Table Dining with Chef Matt Cooper and Paul Esterer

Welcome to another episode of the Bentonville Beacon podcast! Today, our host Brandom Gengelbach sits down with two of Northwest Arkansas’s most influential changemakers: Chef Matt Cooper, acclaimed owner of Wren Hospitality and Conifer, and visionary real estate developer and restaurateur Paul Esterer. In this inspiring conversation, we dig into what makes Bentonville and the entire NWA region such an energizing place to live, create, and innovate.

Matt and Paul share their personal stories of calling Bentonville home and reveal the intentional, values-driven decisions behind their work, including the launch of their latest venture, Wren, a farm-to-table tasting menu restaurant rooted in community, sustainability, and a true sense of place. We explore the evolution of Bentonville’s culinary scene, from humble beginnings to national recognition, what it means to be a James Beard Award finalist, and why the town’s authentic, curious, and wellness-focused spirit is attracting people from across the country.

Tune in as we celebrate the people, passion, and purpose behind Bentonville’s growth, and discover how local champions like Matt and Paul are redefining hospitality, building enduring community connections, and helping shape the region's bright future!