The fifth annual All Fired Up! was held at Capitol Market on Friday, helping kick off the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta.

Six teen chefs cooked their best backyard BBQ for a chance to win one of four awards: People's Choice, Best Use of Market Ingredients, Most Creative and Best Overall. Each kid-led team receives a $100 Capitol Market gift card to shop the Market before preparing a meal on-site for a panel of local celebrity judges. I was lucky to be among them. ROBERT SCHMID
Fried green tomato with pimento cheese, fresh local salad, pork with bacon jam, potato with cheese, veggie skewer & grilled peaches, berries and whipped cream - plus a refreshing drink LILLIANA ROBINSON
Mardi Gras-themed gumbo, cheesy crawfish bread, beignets and praline ice cream, and a Sprite drink. DAMIAN BLANKENSHIP
Blackened catfish, three-cheese mac & cheese, green beans cooked in bacon and onion, and spiced peaches with a honey drizzle. JAXEN DANIEL
Cheeseburger with caramlized onions, sweet corn on the cob, watermelon with balsamic drizzle and grilled peaches with whipped cream. Plus lemonade. ASPEN PIKE
Filet mignon, pesto tortellini, stuffed cheese peppers, caprese salad and cake with macerated berries. GIRL SCOUT TROOP 4847
Grilled chicken rainbow salad with peppers, carrots, red onion, purple cabbage, tomato, cucumber, blueberries and cheese. Plus grilled peaches and a lemomade. WINNERS:
Robert Schmid - Best Overall
Robert Schmid - People’s Choice
Lilliana Robinson - Most Creative
Jaxon Daniel - Best Use of Market Ingredients

I had been hearing great things about Nikki's Bar and Grill, so I had to check it out the first chance I got.



I ordered a pepperoni roll with housemade marinara, as well as buffalo chicken dip.



The peppperoni roll is shareable size, hearty and generously filled. The dough bakes up with a crisp crust that’s soft inside, while the roll is packed with plenty of pepperoni and melted cheese. Served alongside house-made marinara, it is a solid choice.

The buffalo chicken dip is rich, creamy, and loaded with shredded chicken. It carries enough buffalo heat to keep it interesting. Good.



Grade: B

Devino's Pizzeria is a new pizza joint in Morgantown that also offers sandwiches, salads, strombolis and even gyros. Located on Hornbeck Road, the restaurant has a simple, clean interior that has a handful of tables and a steady takeout stream. I ordered a Hawaiian pizza because I've been on a kick lately, and it did not disappoint. The sauce was on the acidic side, but toppings were fresh and plentiful. And, the crust had a bit of a chew, which I like. Grade: B

Imposter Artisan Pizza is a mobile wood-fired pizza pop-up in the Morgantown area. I've been wanting to try them for a long time, so I was excited when our schedules lined up. The dough is expertly fermented using American Hayden Flour Mills stone-ground flour for a light, flavorful crust. Pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven, producing a crisp exterior with a tender, airy interior. And, they use organic Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes, fresh cheeses from Caputo Brothers Creamery, artisan meats and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. I ordered Sweet Cheeks, which has wood-fired Romney peaches, fresh mozzarella, house pesto, whipped ricotta and pecorino. That sweet and salty combo was perfection. Add in summer freshness, and it doesn't get much better.

Grade: A

Mama B's is a bakery and coffee shop in Bruceton Mills that focuses on breakfast and lunch. It's a simple, homey space that doubles as a community gathering space. Breakfast offerings include a weekend buffet that highlights eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, waffles and omelets, while lunch features a tasty-looking list of paninis. Coffee, espresso drinks, and baked goods round out the café’s selection. I was in a hurry, so I stuck to drinks: a frosted lemonade. This was refreshing - if not a bit too acidic - but lovely for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Grade: B