The 2025 Winter Blues Farmers Market had 126 vendors (including 47 first timers), and 6,000 shoppers. The sales total for the market - $207,000-plus!

Bakery
BAKr
Blessed-Full Farm/Crago Country Farm - Devoured a plump pepperoni roll with cheese from here.
Bop and Nana's Bakery and Catering, LLC
Deskins Wholesale, LLC
Flying Dollar Farm/Sycamore Creek Sweets - I got some chocolate-covered potato chips from here that I've been snacking on.
Gibson's Goodies - Snagged a cookies & cream fudge bar from here.
Gourmet Granny
Gritt's Farm
Handmade WV Market
Honey Do Farms
Jessica McCallister
Kelly's Fresh Produce & More
Kristi Ann's Bakery
L&C Fudgery
Legacy Foods
Mama Faye's Fudge and Confections
Mamsie's Kitchen - I picked up a pepperoni roll and a cheese roll here that I'm excited to try.
Nana's Kitchen
Pixie Sweets - I purchased some out-of-this-world marshmallows from here. Post Malone Oreo, salted caramel, Alani sunrise and fruity cereal.
Runway Farm
St. Albans Farmers Market
Sycamore Farms & Primitives
Sweet Serendipity Bakery - the mini pineapple upside down cake was the first thing I dug into when I got home.
Tawna's Kitchen - chocolate covered Oreos from here!
The Sourdough Effect
The Wild Ramp
Tibbenham's Chocolatesof WV, LLC
Triple B Eatery
Whimsy and Willows Market
Wild Crumb Bakery
Wildlee Made
Willow Brook Farm and Woodcrafts


Bath & Body / Candles
Almost Heaven Soaps
Appalachian Botanical Co., LLC
Blessings Farm WV
Brookstone Soaps, LLC
Cozy Country Farm
Elk River Candle
Farm Yard Fresh
Hill and Holler Herbal Company
Honey Do Farm - I had to get some pepperoni rolls from here to try!
Middle Mountain Farmstead
North Mountain Apothecary
On the Go Soaps
The Wild Ramp
T.L Soaps
Twisted Chicken Farm
Wild Mountain Soap Company
WV Herb Association, Inc.


Hemp
Genesis Mountain Farm, LLC


Pet
Bella & Beaus Biscuits
The Happy Hound


Canned Goods/ Jams and Jellies
Blessings Farm WV
Clara's Gourmet, LLC
Dark Hollow Foods
Farm Yard Fresh
Handmade WV Market
JarHead Farms
KK's Kitchen - Cowboy candy are pickled jalapenos, and boy do they have a kick!
Kelly's Fresh Produce & More
Novak Farms
Tarbillly's BBQ
Tipsy Roo's, LLC
Tyler Creek Farm
Uncle Frankie's
Williams River Farm


Maple and Honey
Oldham Sugar Works
Ronk Family Maple Farm
Sarah Carter/Lavender Hill Roost
Treats From Trees
Double D's Bees
Farm Yard Fresh
Howe Sweet It is
Oldham Sugar Works
R&A Honey Bees, LLC
Rimfire Apiary
Schamberger Honey
Sugar Bottom Farm
The Potager Farm
Tyler Creek Farm
Woodhaven Farm


Goods
Almost Heaven Loose Leaf Tea
Angie's What's Poppin' Shoppe
Arbaugh Farms
Aunt Bean's Gourmet Popcorn, LLC
Barefoot and Brazen
Blue Thistle Fibers
Boone Memorial Health
Bugtussle Farm Burnt Creations
Cereally Delicious
Elk River Candle
Front Porch Gifts
Hill and Holler Herbal Company
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works
Manna Meal Community Garden
Moonraker Alpaca Farm
Mountain Juice WV, LLC
Mountain Mama Crochet
Rustic Miner - One of my favs of the day! I bought every kinf of spice blend to try them all out!
St. Albans Farmers Market
Sassy Gals Gourmet Treats
Solar Holler
Sycamore Farms & Primitives
The WV Pickle Guy - I tried the cherry Kool-aid, which was interesting. I also tried the Juicy Fruit (no go), Bloody Mary (not bad) and got a pint of the ranch.
Tower Garden/Ilar Homestead
Uncle Bunk's, LLC
Villa DiTrapano, Inc.
We B Fryin Snacks, LLC
WVFMA
WV Herb Association, Inc.


Meat and Dairy
Angelos Food Products, LLC
Cozy Country Farm
Critchley Farms - I picked up some freeze-dried fruity snacks here.
Lost River Butcher Block - I bought some summer sausage, beef jerky, and snack sticks here.
Novak Farms
Perk Farm Organic Dairy - I enjoyed some samples of gouda, farmstead and cheddar. All of which were delish.
Quicken Farms
Taylor Custom Meats
Waymaker's Meadows, LLC
Willow Brook Farm and Woodcrafts - I picked up some duck egg noodles that I can't wait to try!


Produce and Plants
Blooming Blessings Nursery
Ellison's Mountain Heritage Nursery
Green Thumb Botanicals
Gritt's Farm
Leslie Drake
Manna Meal Community Garden
Mon Valley Mushrooms, LLC
Mountain State Fungi - They were out of their mushrooms when I stopped by, but I hope to try them soon.
Plant Parenthood, LLC
Sassafrass Mountain Farm
Spring Valley Farm & Orchard
T.L. Fruits & Vegetables, LLC
Terra Fate, LLC
Uncle Bunk's, LLC
Villa DiTrapano, Inc.
We B Fryin Snacks, LLC
West Virginia Farmers Market Association
WV Herb Association, Inc.


Freeze Dried Treats
Buffalo Creek Provisions - They smoke their own cheese here, so I picked up two snack sticks to try.
DARN Good Candy
Harvest Trails Co.
Mike's Munchies, LLC
TC Treats
Treats from Trees - I purchased some dried sweet dark cherries


Coffee
Aroma of the Andes Bean Theory Coffee
Mountain Table, LLC
The Black Dog Coffee Company

Chef's Table
is specialty multi-course tasting menu. There were only 9 people total on the night I went, and it is pricey. But wow is it worth it. Every single course was not only incredibly creative, but it was also delicious.
EXECUTIVE CHEF | JEAN ERICK DOMAH
"Originally from island of Mauritius situated in Indian Ocean, well known for the hospitality and tourism. I am a seasoned hospitality professional with over two decades of progressive experience in international culinary and now serving with Carnival Cruise Line with a lot of passion and dedication. My experience includes 9 years with One & Only Resorts, Mauritius and Dubai, parts of the opening team of the Spoon des lles from 3 Michelin Star Chef -Alain Ducasse. I represented Mauritius island in Hong Kong in 1998 highlighting its unique flavors and spices. Awarded Chef of The Year for two times for Striving for Perfection, Innovation and Creativity in 1999 - 2000. I had studied mainly in Mauritius and in Nice, France to cover my culinary apprenticeship." "My career spans 21 years in the luxury cruise industry with Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, Windstar, Celebrity Cruises and Renaissance CFC Cruise in the French market. I have worked in Michelin-star restaurants and fine dining establishments, specializing in Italian, Mediterranean, Classic French cuisine, my success is based on the passion that I have for cooking, innovation, creativity and for delivering the art of the cuisine to the palate." Chef's RECEPTION
This began with a glass of champagne before the first course. DUCK CIGAR
cranberry, fig, brie, mushroom ash
TUNA CRUDO
netted wafer, wasabi, gari
AVOCADO POPPER
beet mayo, provolone
LAND & SEA
double cooked lamb, apple wood smoked scallop
After a tour through the buzzing galley, we had a demonstration from the chefs in the kitchen for Carnival's chocolate melting cake. I am not a huge chocolate cake person, but this is an iconic dessert here on the cruise. So, it was cool to see it being prepared. And, they gave us a recipe for it to take home. We also took a group photo, which they had printed for us. That was a nice touch. Then, it was back for more food. We started with a bread course and a glass of both red and white wines. Chef's DEGUSTATION
LOBSTER OUR WAY
saffron beurre blanc, lobster jelly, cognac pearls
CHEF'S SAMPLER
beet cured salmon, air pillow beef carpaccio, crab & grapes
DOVER SOLE
fermented purple crystal potato, leche de tigre, heirloom baby carrot
HICKORY SMOKED LAMB LOIN*
cheese katafi, smoked squash, beet and port Jus - lamb served from a smoked platter and sauced tableside
SORBET
blood orange, raspberry, crunchy cucumber, green apple granita
BRAISED WAGYU*
burgundy shallot, celeriac mash, tomato dust, air bubble merlot glaze
CHOCOLATE FOREST
chocolate fudge, lavender mousse, basil moss, mushrooms meringue, micro sponge, cherry sauce
SWEET TREAT
cheesecakes

Bake My Day is a macaron shop in Nitro. I've enjoyed macarons from Bake My Day prior to them having a storefront, so I knew I was in for a treat.



"We don’t just have macarons! Stop by for a cup of coffee, check out our huge free selection of used books, and browse goods and wares from local WV vendors! We also host monthly beginner crochet classes, have macaron making parties, live music, a monthly plant swap, arts and crafts events, and much more! We’re a great place if you want to come hang out with friends, find a quiet place to work on your laptop or have a meeting, and we even host private parties!" reads the website.



French macarons are an art, and they are a practice in precision. So, I'm always impressed when people can get that perfectly chewy interior. Signature flavors here include chocolate, bananas foster, caramel macchiato, coconut, cookies & cream, dreamsicle, funfetti, lavender lemonade, lemon, peanut butter & jelly, pistachio, strawberry, plus plenty more seasonal flavors.



I have enjoyed peanut butter & jelly, funfetti and cookies & cream most recently. Just a slight crisp and then chewy interior. Plus feet (the little edges) are key to good ones.



This shop also carries other goodies from home bakers, like Tastes Like Heaven cotton candy. Doesn't cotton candy just always feel like a treat? I'm used to only enjoying it at special events so this makes everything feel a bit more special.



Grade: A

I was so fortunate to be able to join FeastivALL us for a night of food, drink, and celebration in support of FestivALL Programming!

FeastivALL, FestivALL's annual fundraiser, returned to the University of Charleston on Saturday.

It was a festive evening that included a feast of gourmet dishes, craft beer & wine pairings, a twist of competition, live entertainment, and a silent auction.

FeastivALL raises crucial funds for FestivALL's vibrant year-round arts programming and entertainment experiences.

The 5-course gourmet meal features an epic battle of libations. Each course was expertly paired with a wine & beer - and at the end of each course, diners voted on their favorite.

5:30-6:30PM - VIP reception

6:00PM - Cocktail hour with complimentary wine & beer and silent auction begins

7:00PM - Dinner service began
APPETIZER
Venison and Green Onion Arancini with Watercress Pesto and Maple Blackberry Agrodolce
Chef Chase Collier, Ristorante Abruzzi
Bridge Brew Works: Pillow Rock
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier SALAD
Kale Salad with Delicata Squash, Spiced Pecans, Aged Cheddar and a Honey Vinaigrette
Chef Nancy Bruns, J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works
Jackie O's: Who Cooks For You
PRUM Riesling Essence SOUP
Smoked Morel Bisque
Chef John Macklin, Edgewood Country Club
High Ground Brewing: The Woodsman
Chamisal Pinot Noir ENTREE
Allium Risotto, Braised Beef Cheeks with Wild Mushrooms and Cruciferous Vegetables
Chef Seth Samples, University of Charleston
New Trail: Trail Marker
Cellar Door California Caymus DESSERT
Granny Smith Pound Cake with Oatmeal Streusel and a Brown Butter Semifreddo
Chef KD Jones, Governor's Mansion (Justice Administration)
Screech Owl Brewing: High Bridge Hefe
Benvolio Prosecco Everything was so tasty, and I'm already looking forward to next year!