The Almost Heaven BBQ Bash cekebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend in Buckhannon. And I was lucky enough to judge. Judging is pretty secret - but I can tell you I had 5 tasty pieces of chicken, ribs, pork, brisket and the ancillary veal category. There were more than 30 competitors from the region. I don't know whose food was whose because it's a blind judging. But I feel pretty confident in saying they were all impressive:

3 Eyz Pigs
Almost Heaven Smokehouse
Beer Time BBQ
Big Dog BBQ
BigFoot Mountain BBQ
Buckeye Flavor
Chucky's Barbecue
Chunky BBQ
Circle L Barbeque
Convicted Pigs BBQ
Dog Bite Barbecue
Dogpatch Que
Elite BBQ Smokers
Fred Vegas Smokers
Gold-N-Blue Barbecue
Hold Your Horses BBQ
Holt Brothers BBQ
Hoos Smokin
House of Que
Meat Monarchy
Menke Boys BBQ
Philly Blind Pig
Pinky Out BBQ
Poor Boys BBQ
Professor Smoke
Sailor Nick's BBQ
Shiggin Ain't Easy
Susquehana Smokers
Uncle Pig's BBQ Pit
Wild & Wonderful BBQ
Wolf's Revenge BBQ
So, most of the competitive teams do it as a hobby and do not sell to the public. They're interested in making the most delicious food possible and winning awards from the certified judges. But then, there are BBQ vendors who run a business to sell to the public. So while the public doesn't see the competitive side, they can still get their BBQ fix. Those commercial BBQ vendors include:

Almost Heaven Smokehouse (Marlinton, WV)
Big Girls BBQ (Elmire, PA)
Jaws BBQ (Buckhannon, WV)
Off the Bone BBQ (Columbus, OH)
South Texas Barbecue Company (Weston, WV)
Personally, I didn't need anymore BBQ but I did scope out some of the other vendors. Gibson's Goodies I got some Dubai chocolate pistachio fudge I can't wait to try. Samples Pantry I snagged the strawberries with chocolate. Mountain State Sweets I love this nostalgic strawberry shortcake ice cream bar. Traveling Dawgz I ordered a hot dog with chili, slaw, mustard & onions. It was compact and pretty good.

Grade: A

WV State KCBS BBQ Championship pairs BBQ cooks, ATV riders and WV tourists. Sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS), the 4th Annual Coalfields Cookoff featured professional and backyard BBQ cook teams, a prize purse of over $13,000! I was fortunate enough to serve as a judge for the competition. I judge the backyard division on chicken, ribs, and pork. It is a blind competition, with no photos allowed. But, I was able to check out the rest of the festival, too. FOOD VENDORS
Almost Heaven Smokehouse
B&M Wacky Waffles
Bandit BBQ
BroMarsh BBQ
Ole No 3
Shaved Ice - Ayleen Mendez
Southern Sass Boutique & Gifts, LLC
Suntan Swine BBQ
Sweet Street
The Lemonade Lady
The Pepperoni Roll Lady
Tiki's Shaved Ice
My first stop was at The Pepperoni Roll Lady. She had plenty of mini pepperoni rolls and even mini pot pies. I have one in my bag to eat tomorrow. Next up was The Lemonade Lady. I ordered a small strawberry & mango lemonade. Tasty!

Salt Fest celebrates West Virginia’s salt-making heritage with artisan vendors, live music, and food trucks. Some of the food vendors included: Angelos Italian Sausages, Crunchy Fruit Queen, Hernshaw Farms, Kona Ice, Little Jimmy's Italian Ice, Moonstruck Maple, Mountain Juice, Mountain Studio, Mrs. Mel's, Sugar Bottom Farms & Villa DiTrapano Inc. There were three I had my eye on, starting with Is It Really Sour Though. These sourdough-based treats range from banana bread to blueberry scones. Next up was Holt's Jewell & Company, which is a local catering company. They were offering pepperoni rolls, lattes, and -- my choice -- strawberry Dubai cup.

The "Dubai Chocolate Bar" is a viral milk chocolate bar filled with a creamy pistachio and crunchy knafeh (shredded phyllo pastry) filling. It gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and has become a sought-after treat and spawned spinoffs, like a strawberry cup. Sweet and crunchy and unique. Finally, I made my way to Vanik's Coffee. The small local company roasts their own coffee beans. And, they were offering coffees made-to-order, as well. I tried their Rome Coffee, which included a light brown sugar syrup, lime and sparkling water. Different, but refreshing. Did you have a chance to check it out?

Charley West BBQ Fest returned for its 8th year with: live music, $10 for 10 tasting tickets, cold drinks, and of course ALL the BBQ. I was fortunate to judge and test out my new Kansas City Barbeque Society Certified Judge training. There was both competition and backyard divisions. Competition Division included Gettin’ Piggy with it 304, Dakota Farmer, & Stills n Squeals BBQ. Backyard Division included Brad Schmalzer, Notorious P.I.G., Blue Creek BBQ, DKays, Curry's Backyard BBQ, Barry Wood BBQ & Midnight Smoker. Each competitor provided ribs, pulled pork, sauce and a wild card. I will say that I think the backyard division is fun because they stray little bit further outside the box. And that's also why wildcard is my favorite category because you never know what you're going to get. Some options this year included a smoked cheddar sausage, a berry salsa poundcake, Brisket and shrimp, and even a bacon wrapped Oreo. If you didn't check it out this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year! BEST RIBS

Backyard:
1️⃣ Curry's Backyard BBQ
2️⃣ Bradley Schmalzer
3️⃣ Midnight Smokers / David Mincer

Competition:
1️⃣ Dakota Farmer
2️⃣ Stills & Squeals
3️⃣ Gettin' Piggy With It


BEST PULLED PORK

Backyard:
1️⃣ Bradley Schmalzer
2️⃣ Curry's Backyard BBQ
3️⃣ Notorious P.I.G.

Competition:
1️⃣ Dakota Farmer
2️⃣ Stills & Squeals
3️⃣ Gettin' Piggy With It


BEST SAUCE

Backyard:
1️⃣ Curry's Backyard BBQ
2️⃣ Bradley Schmalzer
3️⃣ Notorious P.I.G.

Competition:
1️⃣ Stills & Squeals
2️⃣ Dakota Farmer
3️⃣ Gettin' Piggy With It


BEST WILD CARD (Smoked anything & everything!)

Backyard:
1️⃣ Bradley Schmalzer
2️⃣ Curry's Backyard BBQ
3️⃣ Midnight Smokers / David Mincer

Competition:
1️⃣ Gettin' Piggy With It
2️⃣ Stills & Squeals
3️⃣ Dakota Farmer


🗳️ PEOPLE’S CHOICE!

Backyard:
1️⃣ DKAYS / Don Kinder
2️⃣ Bradley Schmalzer
3️⃣ Midnight Smokers / David Mincer

Competition:
1️⃣ Stills & Squeals
2️⃣ Gettin' Piggy With It
3️⃣ Dakota Farmer

I hope you'll join me on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 2–7:30PM at City Center at Slack Plaza in Charleston, WV for the 8th annual Charley West BBQ Fest, benefiting the Bob Burdette Center afterschool program!

About the Charley West BBQ Fest

The Charley West BBQ Fest is an annual event benefitting the Bob Burdette Center afterschool program.

The public is able to purchase tasting tickets to sample BBQ from competition and backyard BBQ cooks. Live entertainment features local musicians performing throughout the day on the main stage.

$10 will purchase 10 tasting tickets and the chance to vote for one’s favorite competition and backyard BBQ with winners being named “People’s Choice – Best BBQ.” In addition, a panel of judges will do a blind taste testing in the commercial vendor, competition, and backyard divisions.

Competition and Backyard BBQ entrants will compete in 4 categories that include best pulled pork BBQ, best ribs, best sauce, and wild card – anything you want to BBQ!

BBQ Competitions + Prizes 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each event by blind judging will receive a trophy to brag about their wins while People’s Choice Best BBQ overall winners chosen by the public in each division will receive a Grand Trophy commemorating their wins.

Competition Division: People’s Choice Best BBQ – voting by public; Blind judging - Best ribs, best pulled pork, best sauce, wild card

Backyard Division: People’s Choice Best BBQ – voting by public; Blind judging - Best ribs, best pulled pork, best sauce, wild card

About the Bob Burdette Center

The Bob Burdette Center (BBC) is an out-of-school time academic enrichment center offering free after school and summer programming to West Side and North Charleston families grades K-5.

As a US Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Center, we have high standards for our program and focus on the wellbeing and support of the whole family!

The mission of Bob Burdette Center, Inc. is to provide West Side youth and their families with opportunities for holistic development (mind, body, and spirit) for healthy futures. Certified school teachers provide tutoring and serve as academic enrichment leaders, providing one-on-one and group support at all sites.

The BBC’s afterschool enrichment leaders guide daily programming covering STEM, reading and the arts, college and career readiness, social emotional learning and life skills, and physical recreation.

Each day, the cook prepares a full supper meal served upon arrival and an evening snack, generously sponsored by the USDA child nutrition program.

Working together, the BBC strives to provide needed academic and family support, delivered in ways which have the most impact.

Visit www.bobburdettecenter.org for more information.

Mintage Vintage is a market that hosts more than 100 artisans seasonally in the Parkersburg area. The open-air market spans a number of buildings at the 4H campgrounds in Mineral Wells. There is everything from stickers and clothing to dog treats and food. Of course, food.


Valley View Apiary & Breads
Valley View Apiary & Breads was a new one to me! These breads looked so good.
Sweet Ash Cookies
These beautiful custom sugar cookies are almost too pretty to eat. But don't worry, I will be devouring these carrots.
Wood Chipps BBQ
I started my day with some pulled pork nachos, complete with cheese sauce, bbq sauce, ranch, jalapenos, and, of course, pulled pork. I would've loved these even more if those toppings were layered, but tasty nonetheless.
Farmhouse Kitchen & Bakery
These pastries and baked goods made it hard to choose because each one looked delicious. I ended up going with a Reese Peanut Butter cup brownie. I'm still working my way through that beast.
Philly Twist
Braided soft pretzel with a variety of dips; I went with the honey mustard. A soft pretzel is one of those simple delights because they're not readily available everywhere. It makes me think of a carnival or other event.
Mama Maria
I was pleasantly surprised to see a locally made marinara sauce from Bridgeport. In addition to the sauce, there was also meatball mix and the base for the sauce. If you want to put your own spin on it. I've already been using the sauce as a dip for pepperoni rolls.
Willowbrook Cottage
Speaking of, I snagged a little round pepperoni roll from this bakery. They had mozzarella and pepper jack cheese. Nice for a snack sizespeaking of, I snagged a little round pepperoni roll from this bakery. They had mozzarella and pepper jack cheese. Nice for a snack size.
Fluffy Hippo
I think one of my favorite confections is homemade marshmallows. They don't last as long as the commercial ones, of course, but you can get such interesting flavors. Here, I tried a peanut butter and jelly. The texture is probably off-putting for a lot of folks, but it was so satisfying for me. Like flan, but with more bite.
Timmy’s Originals
As "home of the Smashburger," this food truck made it easy on me. I knew what I had to order. I got one smash burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, and ketchup. I don't think that it was as flat as I expected from a smashburger, but it was still tasty.
Leslie's Grub Shack
Hands-down, my most favorite bite of the day: a sloppy joe. It was the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, and the huge portion kept me full all day. I'm still thinking about it days later.
Kettle Pop Company
Last, but not least, who doesn't love some kettle corn?