About

Our Staff

Capi Peck, Executive Chef/Owner

Image of Capi Peck, Executive Chef/Owner

Capi Peck is a Little Rock native who calls herself a “self-taught good cook.” Her love of great food and cooking grew from her childhood experiences at her family’s establishment, the Sam Peck Hotel. Capi’s grandparents, Sam and Henryetta Peck, expertly ran the well-known downtown spot that brought a cosmopolitan flair to Little Rock. The boutique hotel and its restaurant, which saw their peak in the 1960’s, was the first introduction to fine dining and European-influenced foods for many Arkansans.

As a tribute to the memory of her grandparents and the hotel, Capi serves a few of Sam Peck’s creations at Trio’s Restaurant, which she co-owns with partner Brent Peterson (and, yes, they’re back together as a couple).

Capi is well-traveled and fluent in Spanish – perfect for researching one of her favorite cuisines: Interior Mexican. When she’s not at Trio’s you’re likely to find Capi knitting, kayaking, or biking. An avid gardener, she’s rightfully proud of her extensive shade garden and flower beds. Capi won her race for City Director of Little Rock’s Ward 4 in 2016 and now serves on the city board along with chairing the Advertising and Promotion Commission of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also co-chaired the successful Restore Robinson Campaign, which led to the design and construction of the Robinson Center Performance Hall.

Capi is past President of the Arkansas Restaurant Association and received the state’s Salut au Restaurateur award from the Arkansas Hospitality Association. She was appointed by Governor Mike Beebe to the Public Health Advisory Board for the state of Arkansas and served eight years.

One of Capi’s greatest passions is volunteering as a chef in Cooking Matters, which is a program administered under the umbrella of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Cooking Matters focuses on teaching low income families how to cook tasty and nutritious food on a budget. As part of this program, she and Brent taught the first Spanish language class in Little Rock.

She and Brent are Partners in Education with the Little Rock School District where they are both active alumni of Hall High School. Capi regularly participates in Career Day at public schools and often teaches a manners class to elementary school students. She received the Brownie Ledbetter Award from Planned Parenthood of Arkansas in 2014 for her volunteer work. Some of the many organizations she and Trio’s actively support include: Just Communities of Arkansas, Thea Foundation, AR Hunger Relief Alliance, the Democratic Party of Pulaski County, Compassion Works For All, Our House, Jericho Way Resource Center, Youth Home, Pridecorps, Arkansas Ballet, Arkansas Symphony, Camp Aldersgate, the Ronald McDonald House, CARTI.

She is a member of the Central Arkansas Executives Association and was named member of the year in 2015. In her capacity on the city board, Capi serves as liaison to Little Rock Parks & Recreation, CALS, Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission, and the Little Rock Zoo. In May of 2018, she was named a Paul Harris fellow by Little Rock Rotary 99 in recognition of her work and advocacy in the community.

Her most recent project is Operation Song Little Rock, a non-profit based in Nashville that pairs professional songwriters with veterans and active military to help them tell their stories through song. She is also working through her role as City Director to address issues for the homeless, especially housing.

Brent Peterson, Co-Owner

Image of Brent Peterson, Co-Owner

Brent Peterson began Trio’s with three women in 1986.

Brent is an Arkansan native having spent his youth in Charleston, Siloam Springs, and Monticello before moving to Little Rock. While at Hall High school Brent spent a year in Costa Rica as an exchange student learning Spanish, which he keeps current on the job. Also, Brent graduated from UALR with honors majoring in International Business and Psychology. He captained the swimming and water polo teams and received the G.J. Francis Memorial Award for outstanding sophomore at the university.

In his before Trio’s life, Brent was a wellness professional, an administrative aide for US Rep. Beryl Anthony, and a waiter at Anderson’s Cajun’s Wharf. Brent is a cyclist, swimmer, trail runner and yogi. He sometimes tutors ESL students at Hall High School and teaches meditation groups in area prisons. Brent shares a household with his co-owner and life-partner, Capi.

The Mighty Trios Staff

One of the keys to the success of Trio’s is the group of employees who have been an integral part of Trio’s almost since the beginning. These star employees boast more than 15 years at Trio’s. They’re a big reason our food is consistently delicious!

Stephanie Caruthers, Managing Partner

Image of Stephanie Caruthers, Managing Partner

Stephanie has been with Trio’s since 1987. She is also Director of Catering and official Ambassador of Trio’s (Her mother is pleased she’s using that International Studies degree from UA Little Rock.) She is married to Brooks Caruthers, and they have two wonderful daughters, Audrey (b. 2001) and Celeste (b. 2007). Stephanie currently serves on the UA Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors and encourages you to support the Trojans!

When she’s not at Trio’s you can find Stephanie moving pots, rocks & plants about her yard.

Shanna Merriweather, Executive Chef

Image of Shanna Merriweather, Executive Chef

Shanna Merriweather was born in Huntington Cambridgeshire, U.K. and grew up in Jacksonville, AR. She began her career as an apprentice at Trio’s in 2001 and received her degree from the American Culinary Federation in 2004. Shanna married long-time colleague and Catering Chef, Apollos Merriweather, in 2010. They share their home with their dog Lucky.

Shanna & Capi share a simple culinary philosophy: Buy the very best ingredients available. Always source locally whenever possible. Change the menu often to reflect the seasons. Don’t fuss with things too much. Honor tradition and innovation equally. And never, ever stop being creative.

Apollos Merriweather, Chef / Catering Chef

Image of Apollos Merriweather, Chef / Catering Chef

While working at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in 1988, Apollos started a part-time position at Trio’s. He quickly became an instrumental part of our catering culinary team. For many years he worked at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion as a chef while catering part-time with Trio’s. We’re grateful that he’s part of our full-time family! Apollos and Chef Shanna were married in 2010 in a ceremony at Pavilion in the Park.

Tony Peck, Pastry Chef

Tony comes by his skills genetically as grandson of Sam Peck and brother to Capi. He works tirelessly to bring so many tempting, scrumptious, and decadent delights to Trio’s.

These are only a few of the hard-working and dedicated members of the Trio’s team who make it all possible!