Rolls on the River is one of my favorite events. Charleston Montessori School's annual scholarship program fundraiser brings pepperoni rolls and beer tasting to Charleston WV as part of FestivAll. I LOVE judging this event each year. Here are all of the goodies!

Judges' Choice: Traditional- Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center ft. Cheri's Sugar Shack
Judges' Choice: Non-Traditional- Ohmygreens
People's Choice: Traditional- Wild N' Wonderful Rolls
People's Choice: Non-Traditional- The Bucket
Kid's Choice: The Bucket



St Timothy Lutheran Church AALC



Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center ft. Cheri's Sugar Shack



Wild N Wonderful Rolls



Legacy Foods



Montanaro Cakery



The Bucket



Zul's



Rose's Rolls by Karen Townsend







Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center ft. Cheri's Sugar Shack - The Tribbiani



D.P. Dough



Daily Dose Cafe



Ohmygreens

Putnam Provisions Company is a coffee shop and artisan shop in a coworking space. "The concept behind Putnam Provisions is to provide a place not only to get DRIP Coffee, but also a store front for Good Horse Scents, LLC products. In addition, provide a place for you to shop from local artisans, local food producers and local value-added products," reads the website.



They offer coffee, cold brew, espresso, hot chocolates, lattes, mochas, teas, fruit smoothies, and other specialty drinks offered hot, iced, or frozen. Plus avocado toast, chicken salad sandwiches and bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato sandwiches.



I did a little shopping and got some LeJa Produce jam. This local farm produces lettuce, strawberies, blackberries, blueberries and has raised beds and high tunnels.



Freeze dried candy is all the rage right now, and I picked these adorable little ice cream cones up from Feather Ridge Farm.



I enjoyed an egg salad sandwich made with farm-fresh eggs. It was small - like half a sandwich. But it was tasty.



Grade: B

Since 1946, Milos Hamburgers has been serving up fast fresh burgers smothered in our original sauce, served with fried pies, milkshakes and seasoned fries.



Based in Alabama, Milo's Hamburgers was founded by Milo Carlton as Milo's Hamburger Shop in 1946. Milo's has more than 20 locations across Alabama. Their signature menu item is the secret-recipe hamburger sauce and sweet tea.



The hamburger sauce is sweet, smoky and savory. It's like a mix of ketchup, chili powder and some other flavors.



Since the 1980s, they have distributed their own Sweet Tea brand in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The tea company split off in 2002.



The Milo’s Original Burger is made with a fresh grilled patty, topped with onions and pickles, drenched in that secret sauce, and served on a warm, grilled bun. A very thin burger with an interesting sauce – but pretty par for the course for fast food.



Thick crinkle fries and a strawberry shake, rounded out the meal. If I had to pick a type of fry, crinkle would be at the bottom of my favorites list. I like more crunch, less potato.



Grade: B

Jack's has almost 200 locations across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi.



"In 1960, Jack’s fired up its very first grill in Homewood, Alabama. Our walk-up hamburger joint was an instant hit. Who could turn down our 10-cent sodas, 15-cent fries and 20-cent shakes?" the website reads.



The regional fast food chain serves up breakfast, sandwiches, chicken, drinks, sides, salads and desserts.



I went for the original cheeseburger - One juicy beef patty topped with American cheese, onions, pickles and Jack’s secret sauce. Served up on a toasted premium homestyle bun. Plus a side of mashed potatoes, because why not.



This was a pretty standard fast food cheeseburger; good in a pinch but nothing too exciting. The bun was a bit different – puffier and fresher. Potatoes were fine.



Grade: B

"Miller Union is named after the former Miller Union Stockyards that occupied one full city block in Atlanta’s old meatpacking district in the 1880s. The stockyard building suffered a fire after the turn of the century and was later replaced with an industrial warehouse, typical of the time period.

Miller Union, the restaurant, was founded in 2009 by Steven Satterfield and Neal McCarthy in the refurbished warehouse that sits on the former site and has since contributed to the evolution of the neighborhood. They created a rustic, yet modern atmosphere with a respect for the history of the neighborhood, and an anchor for the emerging one. Miller Union has since become an Atlanta mainstay," reads the website.



Satterfield cooks in an organic way by reacting to the ever-changing harvest of the seasons. The restaurant embodies an authentic approach to farmstead-inspired cooking, in which ingredients drive the menu. Satterfield’s style is simple, but creative and refined, with a lean on Southern history. McCarthy’s acclaimed wine program complements the style of Satterfield’s cooking with a dynamic wine list that focuses on small producers with sustainable farming practices, the website continues.



Steven won the James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef: Southeast” award in 2017 and Miller Union was recognized as one of the country’s best restaurants by Eater National, Esquire and Bon Appetit.



The indoor-outdoor nature of the restaurant made me feel like I had one foot in each space. As soon as I was seated, I was met with a sommelier eager to help select drinks. While I didn't partake on this visit, the wine menu looked amazing.



"General manager and co-owner Neal McCarthy leads the dining room at Miller Union with a commitment to excellent service. His welcoming personality and attention to detail combine to create a pleasing atmosphere where sophistication and comfort are skillfully balanced. A certified sommelier, Neal carefully selects wines from small producers who focus on biodynamic and organic practices. These selections balance the menu’s simple, Southern-inspired fare while reinforcing the restaurant’s sustainable mission. Wine Enthusiast magazine has recognized Miller Union as one of the top 100 lists in the country, specifically praising its commitment to sustainability, and the restaurant was a 2018, 2019 and 2020 James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalist for “Outstanding Wine Program” and finalist in 2019 and 2020."



I started with the "farm egg baked in celery cream with grilled bread," which they are known for. Mix it all up, and the egg cooks in the cream. Simple, southern ingredients but tasty.



Then, I had the lamb belly roulade with golden beet, pickled vidalia and wilted kale.



This was hearty yet refined. A lovely blend of textures kept this feeling luxurious.



Dessert consisted of the following: pink peppercorn bavaroise, toasted pistachio, almond sable, white chocolate ganache, blood orange sorbet.



Look at this art.



It was stunning. And so fun to eat. And delicious. What more could you ask for?



Grade: A