I enjoyed a lovely early farm-to-table dinner yesterday at Hudson Farms. Chef Matt Welsch of Vagabond Kitchen and West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition made an incredible dish featuring Sugar Bottom Farm honey.



White balsamic and honey marinated chicken breast seared in a cast iron skillet served over buttermilk biscuits with Autumn hash (carrots, butternut squash, beets, brussels, red onion, kale, sweet potato, cabbage, and roasted in honey), and topped with a creamy pan jus, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and sprinkled with some roasted pumpkin seeds.



You can learn more about it in the upcoming Recipes & Roadmaps episode. Stay tuned! And, in the meantime, check out Appalachian Cellar to get your own goodies to make tasty dishes.

Veggie Man is an obscure cryptid reportedly spotted near Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1968. The lone witness described a tall, lanky, humanoid creature — around 7 feet tall — with green, plant-like skin, red eyes, and long, thin arms ending in syringe-like fingers. According to the legend, the creature approached the witness in a friendly, almost hypnotic manner, and communicated telepathically. Without warning, the Veggie Man allegedly jabbed the witness with its sharp fingers, draining blood — then fled swiftly into the woods, emitting a high-pitched sound. Veggie Man Day 2025 took place on Saturday, July 12, from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Frank & Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center on the Fairmont State University campus. This was the second annual celebration of the region’s homegrown cryptid legend, presented by Mothboys Podcast & ConjureDust Designs, with support from Marion County CVB, Cryptid Strength, and others. There were variety of cryptid‑themed artists — many focused on Veggie Man-specific designs — sold original posters, handcrafted figurines, stickers, and themed collectibles. One of my must-stops is always Liz Pavlovic, designer & illustrator based in Morgantown, who has cryptid‑themed art & merch, including her popular “Live, Laugh, Lurk” Mothman design. Not only is she the Mothman OG, she has cryptid-related glasswork that is part of the exhibit on display at the Folklife Center. Cool day all-around! I got a dozen cryptid-themed cookies from The Cookie Culprit, who is based in Wheeling. These were vanilla and chocolate flavored and just the cutest ever.

Gritt's Farm Low Country Boil was held on Saturday, July 12, and the Capitol Market staff dined at 7:30 p.m. We enjoyed an appetizer, seafood boil, dessert, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Plus, live music, lawn games, and more. Appetizers - Hoppin' Fry Duo: Garlic Parmesan + Old Bay Flavors | Assorted Sauces SEAFOOD BOIL:
3 lb. Shrimp
3 lb. Crab
3 lb. Mussels
3 lb. Sausage
3 lb. Sweet Corn
3 lb. Red Skin Potatoes Desserts - Mini Farmer Float! Blend of Strawberry Cider Slush & Vanilla Soft-Serve, Topped with a Fresh Cake Donut Plus, there are baby goats! If you know me, you know I love me some baby goats. I was tempted to take one - or all - of them home. Have you been to a farm-to-table dinner at Gritt's Farm?

Have Fun WV with Jay Silverman hosted the Third Annual Pepperoni Roll Contest at GoMart Ballpark. I was fortunate to serve as a judge and enjoy 8 different pepperoni rolls. Bigley Piggly Wiggly
A surprise bite of banana pepper in these pepperoni rolls! Home Industry Bakery
One of the more modern OGs and found in gas stations across the state. Cheri of Edgewood Country Club
My personal favorite of the day! A fresh, sweet bread with the perfect proportions of pepperoni and cheese. The Bucket
The ultimate deep-fried pepperoni roll topped with cheese and served with marinara are a perennial favorite. Hagy's Irish Pie Pub
A new one to me - I liked how they layered the pepperoni and cheese. Carousel Hospitality (Dirty Birds)
Root root root for the home team. They had a nice crisp herby outside. Fit'z Rockin' Rolls
Poppable bite-sized rolls with individual marinara sauces made for a pleasant bite. Mardi Gras Casino & Resort
Large - maybe a bit too much bread - and hefty.

The Bucket, two time champ for Judges Choice, Fit’z Rockin’ Rolls took Peoples Choice and Bigley Piggly Wiggly took Most Unique Roll.

My friend Beth & I took a dinner cruise on the Valley Gem, where we enjoyed a meal of Caesar salad, prime rib with horseradish cream, chicken, mashed potatoes, spinach-stuffed roasted tomato, roll and berry cake. The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta began in 1971 as a way to celebrate the city’s connection to the Kanawha River and its history of sternwheel boats, which were once vital to commerce and transportation along West Virginia waterways. The original regatta grew quickly into one of the largest events in the state, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors for several days of boat races, concerts, parades, fireworks, and family activities. Sternwheelers—steamboats propelled by a large paddlewheel at the stern—were iconic on rivers like the Kanawha and Ohio in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These boats served as a vital link for goods and people, and the regatta honored this part of the state’s heritage. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Regatta peaked in popularity, featuring big-name musical acts, national media attention, and boaters from across the country. It became a hallmark of Charleston’s summer calendar. However, due to budget issues and waning support, the event was discontinued in 2009, which many in the community viewed as a major cultural loss. In 2022, the City of Charleston officially revived the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, bringing back much of the traditional programming with a fresh focus on community, heritage, and economic revitalization. The modern version includes river races, concerts, art vendors, food trucks, and sternwheeler showcases, reestablishing the event as a centerpiece of summer in the capital city. The Valley Gem allower us to participate in the festival in a new way - while enjoying a meal on the river.

I had so much fun judging Capitol Market's 4th Annual All Fired Up! competition. The food was incredible. Here's a glimpse: Oxtail with rasta pasta, corn salsa, mango smoothie & bananas foster. Grilled pork with a mushroom sauce, roasted veggies, corn on the cob & a honeyed peach with cream. Beef taco with pickled onion, jalapeno, crema & lime with guacamole and rice with corn. Fresh veggie lettuce boat with croutons & dressing. Pizza with pepperoni, green peppers & mushrooms. Deconstructed s'more. Bacon cheeseburger with white cheddar, chipotle mayo and ramp salt. Wilted lettuce with green onions, cucumber & cherry tomatoes. Watermelon. Jerk chicken with rice & beans.

People’s Choice: Damian Blankenship.
Best Use of Ingredients: Girl Scout Troop 4847.
Most Creative: Max Willits.
Best Overall: Lilliana Robinson.

It was a busy weekend because I was bopping all over the state to hit up events, food trucks and other small business owners to show some support.

Kits Kitchen
a delicious oatmeal cream pie here Keen Quality Meats Muddy Mountain Flower Farm
BIBLE CENTER SCHOOL SUMMER CRAFT MARKET

Chloe’s Main Squeeze
This lemonade tasted just like a bomb pop Christy’s Cupcakes
French vanilla & neopolitan Tawna’s Kitchen
Cocoa krispie treats, chex mix and more Tammy’s Kitchen Sanger Farms Surf & Swirl True Origins Coffee Company
I have some of this being delivered to me this week, and I can't wait! Chubby Joes
A pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese and baked beans made for a good lunch
WV COFFEE FESTIVAL

Sunshine Sliders
this little Greek slider with feta and pico gave me life Cultivate Coffee
I was most excited to check out this coffee roaster because they are alllll the way over in the Eastern Panhandle. They did not disappoint. Superlove Sweets
S'more bar & fruity pebble cookie Cozy Crumbz
Cinnamom coffee cake loaf
COUNTRY ROADS FARMERS MARKET

This small Saturday market has a number of vendors that I have purchased from and some I have yet to try: Crago Country Farm, Amandus Family Farm, Blessed-Full Farm, Double K Farms, Lost Arrow Farm, Hunt's Farm, Grammy's Garden Goodies, & Northridge Farm
COONSKIN PARK'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Off The Hook
Fried fish & chips - now this was a good piece of fried cod Lone Star Kitchen
They had smashburgers, pulled pork & hand-cut fries, but I opted for the smoked brisket sandwich. Back Roads Soda Sips
drinks & sodas Kernel Koffee
coffee, popcorn & more