Attention foodies: the Mountain State is full of flavor, and ready for you to take a bite!
These festivals, cook-offs and dine-arounds showcase the best cuisine in the region— from wine and chocolates to mac ‘n cheese.
So grab your appetite and get to tasting at these top events:
1. WV Culinary Classic
March- Stonewall Resort
Each year, dozens of West Virginia’s top chefs come together to create culinary magic at Stonewall Resort. The food-filled weekend features dine-arounds, multi-course meals, seminars and demonstrations. Foodies seriously look forward to this top-notch event every year, so be sure to reserve your spot before they sell out!
2. Uniquely West Virginia Wine and Food Festival
April- Ice House, Berkeley Springs
At this all local fest, you’ll taste dozens of state-grown products AND get the chance to meet the faces behind them. Several West Virginia winemakers will be on-hand to tell you about their pours. You can taste them with chocolates, cupcakes, mustards, greens, cider, herbs, ramps and a variety of dips and sauces.
3. Taste-of-ALL
During FestivALL Preview Weekend- Charleston
This annual culinary event highlights the mouthwatering cuisine in the Mountain State’s capital city. Your whole family can enjoy this one, with some of the valley’s most gifted chefs and restaurants. After 30 years, the event has also added wine, beer samplings and food trucks, too.
4. Taste of Parkersburg
June- Parkersburg
Since this event began in 2006, food, wine and beer lovers throughout the region have flocked to Parkersburg each year. The event mixes art and music with taste selections from more than a dozen local restaurants and more than 40 unique wines and craft brews. It was recently named one of the best events in the southeast.
5. Taste of Our Towns
October- Lewisburg
Charming and eclectic downtown Lewisburg really bursts with life during the annual Taste of Our Towns festival. Folks from across the region gather to sample tastings from more than 50 local restaurants, civic clubs and nonprofit organizations. Yearly favorites– like The General Lewis Inn’s pecan pie– can run out fast, so get there early!
Tip: Cash is not accepted at this event, so you have to buy tokens in advance
6. Taste of Bridge Day
3rd weekend in October- Adventures on the Gorge, Fayetteville
Planning on making the trek to Fayetteville for an unforgettable Bridge Day? Don’t forget to check out Taste of Bridge Day the night before! Local and regional restaurants come together on the rim of the gorge for one of the most anticipated events of the year. Trade tickets for tastings, then vote for your favorites.
7. Charleston’s Mac & Cheese Cook-off
March, Capitol Market, Charleston
Calling all cheese lovers! Regional macaroni lovers and restaurants pull out all the stops, creating twists on a comfort food favorite. Over the past couple years, they’ve really proven there are a LOT of ways to spice up an old-fashioned favorite.
8. Cast-Iron Cook-Off
February- Charleston
We don’t need to look any further than our own backyard to find tasty gourmet fare. Our region’s premier cooking contest is part of the winter food festival, teaching future generations how West Virginia cookin’s done right. Competing chefs use cast-iron, an authentic Appalachian method dating back to the good ol’ frontier days. Watch these gourmet gurus in action, or get a taste of the fresh mountain flavors at different sampling sessions throughout the weekend, including pairing and small plate events.
9. Greenbrier Food and Wine Weekend
The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs
Are you ready for the ultimate foodie weekend? The Greenbrier’s annual Food and Wine Weekend is 3 days packed with flavor. From a dine-around reception and buffet, to pastry and cold food display competitions, indulge in top tastes all weekend long. Hear from experts like master sommeliers and food writers at the seminars and workshops.
BONUS: Restaurant Weeks
West Virginia Restaurant Week covers the entire state in flavorful specials and events. Don’t miss the mountain flavor extravaganza! The specials vary, but usually you can sample a little bit of everything at each spot. This is your chance to try out a new eatery or enjoy an old favorite!
For some cities, one week isn’t enough (and who could argue with that?) Charleston, Beckley, Fayetteville, Lewisburg and Morgantown restaurants pull out their best menus again for more locally focused restaurant weeks throughout the year, too.
Whatever you choose, your taste buds will thank you.