Food lovers, chefs and culinary students from around the state will gather at the Charleston Marriott Hotel on February 5th and 6th to celebrate, sample and promote the best of Appalachian cuisine at the 2016 Winter Food Festival and Cast Iron Cook –Off.
According to Dr. Beth Newcome, executive director of the Collaborative for the 21st Century Appalachia (a non-profit group promoting culinary, cultural and agri-tourism), “In past years, the weekend has focused solely on the Cast Iron Cook-Off, but the event has been restructured to include multiple cooking competitions, exhibits and samplings over a two-day period.”
Newcome said the weekend is designed to celebrate and preserve the culinary heritage of Appalachia, promote regional tourism and present a unique, culinary tradeshow. “The WV Department of Agriculture, the WV Division of Tourism and the New Appalachian Farm & Research Center are partnering with the Collaborative to make it all happen,” she stressed. In addition, Buzz Foods and J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works are corporate sponsors of the event.
Event Schedule:
Friday, February 5th kicks off with a Junior Cast Iron Cook-Off which will begin at noon. This event features eight teams of six individuals. Each team consists of students (ProStart culinary and agriculture education), their instructors, and school food service staff and provides the opportunity for them to cook for both Judges and culinary fans at the sampling stations. Partners and sponsors for the Junior Cast Iron Cook-Off are the WV Department of Education, ProStart and the WV Office of Child Nutrition.
Friday night will feature a Taste from the Mountains Dine-Around beginning at 7:30. The public is invited to sample a multi-station buffet dinner featuring a menu with a New Appalachian Cuisine theme. Tastes from the Mountains Dine Around features products sourced from farms around the state. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at www.castironcookoff.org/reservations/
Saturday’s Schedule defines the weekend with multiple culinary competitions, cooking demonstrations, exhibits of WV food products and sampling for all. The activities include:
- The traditional Cast Iron Cook-Off®, featuring five eight-person teams in a juried competition.
- The “Throwdown” – A special two-team competition that will provide samples for guests, as well as Judges.
- Chef Demonstrations – a professional “how to” demo that will allow all culinary fans, whether competing or attending as guests, to experience the flavors of this Appalachian-themed festival.
- Exhibit Hall & Trade Show – Showcasing WV’s gourmet value-added products, including sampling and a special competition featuring WV Micro-Brew Craft Beers and a wine-tasting featuring WV wineries.
- Awards Ceremony
Newcome concluded, “Whether you come as a competitor, a student, an exhibitor, or just a fan of great food, craft beer or local wines, you won’t want to miss the 2016 Winter Food Festival and Cast Iron Cook-Off. The action, the aromas, the tastes and the memories will soon make this one of your favorite weekends of the year! “
For more information, visit www.castironcookoff.org.
