Chef
Matthew Cooper
- Discipline
- Chef
- Venue
- Conifer · Restaurant
Made By record
Awards & recognition
1 total
verified records
Portrait of Matthew Cooper
i. Biography
Matthew Cooper is the chef/owner of Conifer Restaurant in Bentonville, Arkansas, United States. His public philosophy is direct and communal: "My focus has always been to build communities." That idea also shapes how he talks about success: "It is a “we,” not an “I,” because I’m not successful without any of the people that have chosen to surround me."
The Sunday email
Read about chefs like Matthew Cooper in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.
The Climb
Matthew Cooper trained at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Portland and Le Cordon Bleu.
Today
At Conifer Restaurant, Cooper holds the role of chef/owner. He describes the restaurant’s purpose in civic terms: "Conifer strives to support the local economy and become a big part of it in turn. No business is an island and the closer we all become, the more we all benefit."
In Their Words “Conifer strives to support the local economy and become a big part of it in turn. No business is an island and the closer we all become, the more we all benefit.” “My focus has always been to build communities.”
Recognition
In 2025, Cooper was named a James Beard Award Best Chef South finalist. The honor placed his cooking and leadership among the region’s recognized chefs that year.
FAQ
Asked of Matthew
What is Matthew Cooper's current role?
As of 2026, Matthew Cooper is Chef/Owner.
Where did Matthew Cooper train or study?
Matthew Cooper trained at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Portland and Le Cordon Bleu.
The Sunday email
Read about chefs like Matthew Cooper in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.