Cooks Tour Events Honor Physician, Highlight Argenta District
 Cancer Institute Auxiliary Distinguished Honoree Rangaswamy Govindarajan, M.D., (second from right) was honored for his service to the Cancer Institute. He is pictured with wife Sabitha (second from left), son Raj and daughter Shree.  Chefs John Beachboard (right) and Ben Brainard serve up fish and chicken tacos from Little Rock’s new Local Lime restaurant. |
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It was a week filled with food, music and fun for a good cause at Cooks Tour of Argenta: Jazz Brunch benefiting the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary.
The week began with the Cooks Tour Honoree Reception on April 9 honoring Rangaswamy Govindarajan, M.D., professor of internal medicine in the UAMS College of Medicine and medical oncologist at the Cancer Institute. Govindarajan received the Cancer Institute Auxiliary’s Distinguished Honoree Award, which is given in conjunction with Cooks Tour to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the mission of the Cancer Institute.
Govindarajan was recognized for his impact on the lives of thousands of patients, students and colleagues since he arrived at UAMS in 1992 and for his groundbreaking research investigations in colorectal cancers that have gained significant interest both nationally and internationally. He also serves as chief of hematology/oncology at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.
The newly revamped Cooks Tour of Argenta: Jazz Brunch followed April 14 and was held for the first time in the Argenta District of downtown North Little Rock. About 250 participants visited local shops, venues and galleries on the 400 block of Main Street as they enjoyed culinary demonstrations and delicacies from five of Little Rock’s and North Little Rock’s best-known chefs.
The chefs for this year’s tour were: Mark Abernathy of Loca Luna and Red Door serving up French toast croissant bread pudding; Brian Cherry of Argenta Market with quiche wraps; and Scott McGehee, John Beachboard and Ben Brainard of ZaZa Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Co., Big Orange and Local Lime dishing up fish and chicken soft tacos.
The Quapaw Brass Quintet, Dave Williams Ensemble, and Ken and Cliff Duo entertained guests with live jazz in various locations during the event.
Cooks Tour was founded in 1991 with a two-fold purpose: to raise funds to support patient care and education at the Cancer Institute and to increase awareness of cancer prevention. Money raised by Cooks Tour will be used to fund projects benefiting cancer patients in Arkansas.
Natalie and Win Rockefeller Jr. were the presenting sponsors of Cooks Tour of Argenta: Jazz Brunch. Glazer’s Distributors of Arkansas provided beverages for the honoree reception and wines and champagne for the jazz brunch. Katie Pipkin was chair of this year’s event.