‘Livin’, lovin’, & sellin’: Behind the scenes of the Ham, Bacon, & Egg Sale
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV The 72nd annual Greenbrier & Monroe Ham, Bacon, & Egg Sale was held this past Friday evening at the West Virginia State Fairgrounds. Hosted by the WVU Extension offices in Greenbrier and Monroe counties, the Future Farmers of America (FFA), and local 4-H clubs, the sale gives young farmers the opportunity […]
Jumpin’ Johnny Spangler wins WV Pop-Off
Fifth victory in 2 years leaves competition salty By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV For the fifth time in 12 years, Jumpin’ Johnny Spangler of Monroe County has won the WV Pop-Off. Held in Charleston this February, the contest is hosted by the WVU Extension Service Small Farm office. “We started it as a way to promote […]
Kirk’s Restaurant reopens in Hinton
By Jeffrey Kanode, for RealWV The New River widens as it rolls through Hinton, flowing toward the dam. Sitting beside the river, Kirk’s Restaurant has fed the community and served as a gathering place since 1977. Proctor Kirk established the business and operated it until 1993, when Wayne and Kathy Rice took ownership. The couple […]
Blackwell’s: Big city cuisine served with small town hospitality
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV March 6, 2023 Nearly forty years ago, LeeAnn Gillilan took an apprenticeship in the kitchen at The Greenbrier Hotel Culinary Program under Rod Stoner. “I was the woman,” she remembers. “As in the only one. There weren’t many of us back then.” Today, LeeAnn is the owner/operator/chef at Blackwell’s Catering in […]
All roads lead to Good Roads Bakehouse
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV February 18, 2023 Two years ago, Karri Roberts and Dan Cannon were living in Pittsburgh. She was a florist and he was a maintenance tech for a real estate firm. “The pandemic hit,” she remembers, “and I was like, ‘Take me back to the farm!’” Karri is originally from Craigsville (Nicholas […]
Pickaway Pickins, ‘The way your grandma did it’
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV February 12, 2023 If you order country fried steak at Pickaway Pickins, you’ll hear them pound out the fresh-cut sirloin and fry it in a cast iron-skillet with gravy. Every single menu item is made from scratch, fresh to order. “The way your grandma did it,” says manager & baker Andrea […]
From the farm to the school lunch table
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV January 29, 2023 Jenny Curry, who serves as Director of Food Services for Greenbrier County Schools, remembers the first day they served hamburgers made from local beef in their schools. “My phone rang off the hook all day,” she recalls. “Everyone loved them!” Farm to table Farm to Table is a […]
Appalachian chefs in training at The Hub
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV January 23, 2023 What do local teens do on a Friday night? This group attended a culinary workshop with Chef Chad Jones in hopes of performing better at their job in the food service industry. The Hub High Rocks runs The Hub, a café in the former Lewisburg Elementary School building […]
Brier Patch Bar & Grill, ‘A home away from home’
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV In a town known for fantastic food, even the hotel bar & grill is a dining destination. “People tell us all the time, ‘This is the best burger I’ve ever had,’” says Chef Abel Nobel. Owned by Gary and Rosalie Ambler and located inside The Brier Inn just off Interstate 64 […]
