The Green Chili Shoot Out is one of my favorite local events.

This year featured tons of people's choice competitors, ICS competitors, music, craft beer and more.

And I was fortunate enough to be a judge for the professional portion.

I happened to be in the "final" round, so after groups A and B chose their favorites, we tasted the best of the best.

It was so fun to try a bunch of different kinds - there was even a sweeter one that I absolutely loved.

We didn't get a chance to try the people's choice entries, but they sounded fabulous, too!

I learned a lot about green chili - because usually I've judge traditional or homestyle.

Who had your favorite chili this year?

Lavalette is a small community south of Huntington that I've recently ventured to to try some new restaurants.

One of which is Sweet Street, an adorable bakery.

Walking in, the space is really neat. The front is painted to look like a large bakery, and they have all kinds of actual desserts in the window.


There are cupcakes and cookies - but what really had me excited was this mini pineapple upside down cake!

Have you been here yet?

Oscar's Breakfast, Burgers & Brews specializes in a few of everyone's favorite things.

Surprisingly on this day, I was looking for something a bit lighter - probably because it was one where I stopped at a few different restaurants in the area.

This busy restaurant is local and has impressive branding. I was able to get a seat at the bar and look over the menu.

I went with the "Buffalo Ranch Salad," which had a bed of lettuce topped with tomato, onion, blue cheese crumbles, hickory smoked bacon, crispy chicken and drizzled with buffalo sauce and served with a side of ranch.

What's your favorite thing to order here?

Italian is one of my favorite cuisines.

It's so comforting and delicious and, when done right, can make everything all better.

Fratelli's is a Barboursville restaurant that one of my good friends, Dawn, loves.

I stopped here for a quick lunch.

And, I was first greeted with these parmesan bread sticks with marinara. Mmm.

Then, I went for a lobster bisque soup.

And for my main meal - a rigatoni with marinara and mozzarella.

What's your favorite dish here?

Surrey's was one of my last meals in New Orleans.

And for my last meals, I knew I wanted to get some shrimp and grits - one of my ultimate favorite meals.

This restaurant is known for being fun and funky.

Surrey's is an eclectic and funky Cafe and Juice Bar with two convenient locations on historic Magazine Street in New Orleans.  Our sweet and savory menu specializes in local food items with a hint of latin flavor. 

Surrey's is the oldest organic juice bar in New Orleans.

But, first, I wanted to make sure I tried some of the organic juice. This was a tasty apple juice!

And the menu featured some fun things like Bananas Foster French Toast and Huevos Rancheros. But when I saw the shrimp & grits,  I knew it was perfect:

Sauteed Louisiana gulf shrimp in New Orleans-style BBQ sauce over a bowl of grits. Garnished with bacon, green onions and French bread croutons.

And wow!

That is a tasty plate - thick, delicious and full of flavor.