Mark Abernathy is an idea man, a founder, an owner and the chef of many restaurants; some you may recognize and some you may not: Abernathy’s, The Bijou, Juanita’s, Blue Mesa Grill, Red Door, Bene Vita and Loca Luna. During his 46 years’ experience in the restaurant industry, he has had the distinction of many ‘firsts.’
Mark introduced the first White Cheese dip in America at his restaurant, Blue Mesa Grill. He served Arkansas’ first fajita dish and had the state’s first Wood Fired Brick Oven pizza.
Abernathy has produced or hosted over 450 televised cooking demonstrations, and been recognized by the New York Times, Bon Appetite, Southern Living, Gourmet Magazine, Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels, the Washington Post, Food Arts and many other notable publications. In 2016, Mark was listed as one of the Most Influential Chefs in the United States.
