The 12th Annual Laurance Jones, III Childhood Language Center's Mac & Cheese Cook-Off was held today at Capitol Market. It's one of the most delicious -- and filling -- days of the year. Here are all the goodies in 2026: Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille
Gyro meat or regular Tondrea Davis-Powell
Liquid Gold: Traditional mac, in a rich, five-cheese sauce, with French fried onions
Baby Back Mac: Liquid Gold topped with tangy, Caribbean BBQ, baby back ribs
Chuck & Cheese: Liquid Gold topped with savory, chuck roast, with potatoes, carrots & onions
Owl-Fredo: Grilled chicken, sauteed spinach and onions, in a creamy six-cheese Alfredo Rainbow Pride of West Virginia
Cheddar Cheesy Rainbow colored Mac & Cheese. Made with Cheddar, Velveeta, Gruyere and some spices Bricks & Barrels
Cajun lobster mac & cheese with breadcrumb topping Dutch Miller Subaru
Regular & buffalo chicken Bobbie Spry - Practical Mac-ic
Black Magic Mac: A decadent smoked mac & cheese with - smoked gouda, aged cheddar, gruyère, roasted garlic, caramelized shallots, pulled pork, award-winning BBQ sauce, black pepper & crispy panko topping. The Ruffner
Korean gochujang Mac and cheese with smoked Gouda and cheddar served in a roasted seaweed wrap Nellita's Cocina
Regular or Nacho Roni: Hot & honey garlic butter, mix cheese and topped with Doritos Bogey's At Capitol Market
Traditional, creamy garlic mac & cheese with five-cheese blend Coco's Kitchen & Cafe
Nine-cheese garlic mac & cheese with a garlic breadcrumb topping Elena's
Hamburger mac & cheese Cafe Appalachia
Cornbread mac & cheese Recovery Point West Virginia
Brandie Poohs Kitchen
Grandma's Southern Mac Bourbon Street Bistro
Cajun Crack Mac: Our Signature Cajun Mac & Cheese - Cavatappi pasta tossed in a rich, five-cheese sauce with smoked andouille sausage, thick-cut bacon, roasted garlic, Creole mustard, Cajun spices, Louisiana hot sauce and hot honey. Finished with a buttery Cajun panko, Parmesan and fresh herbs. Goldenrod Kitchen Modivcare
My Invite to the Cookout - A sweet version of mac n cheese for those that love the classic dish with a sweet little kick. The family has officially put the cook on Mac n cheese duty for all cookouts and special occasions over the past few years. Bayou Classics
Shrimp mac & cheese Girl Scout Troop 4847
Loaded mac n Cheese with mild cheddar, Colby and Gruyere, Topped With Colby Jack, Bacon and Scallions Stephen Fernandez
Orzo pasta with a mango coulis and then a mascarpone and coconut cream and topped with latik (lah -tEEk) which are the caramelized coconut curds/solids from cooking down coconut milk/cream Sweet Cheeks
Pulled pork mac & cheese with waffle cone pieces & BBQ sauce Noodles International
Brisket Mac - Aged Beef Brisket with southern BBQ sauce. Creamy cheddar Mac and cheese topped with crunchy buttered crackers. Edgewood Summit
Fontina, Gorgonzola, and mozzarella cheeses with pancetta and leeks

WINNERS:

People's Choice:
1st - Coco's
2nd - Cafe Appalachia
3rd - Bourbon St.

Kid's Choice:
1st - Bogey's
2nd - Nellita's
3rd - Coco's

Judge's Choice:
1st - Tondrea
2nd - Bourbon St.
3rd - Sweet Cheeks
Best Table Decor - Spry Guys

It was such a fun event with great music by EJ Price and yummy ice cream from Charleston Baskin Robbins.

All proceeds help provide FREE speech and language therapy to children across West Virginia.

Dab’s Country Cookin’ serves up Southern comfort food with a side of perseverance in southern West Virginia.

The restaurant is the creation of McDowell County native Antoinette Barnes, who began selling homemade meals to support her family during a period of financial hardship. What started with plates prepared in borrowed kitchens eventually grew into a restaurant business Barnes first operated Dab’s Cookin’ at the Shack along Route 52 near Bramwell, before expanding into downtown Princeton in September 2023. In January 2026, the restaurant moved into the former K&W Cafeteria space at Mercer Mall in Bluefield The menu centers on traditional Southern and soul food favorites, including fried chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, country-fried steak and hamburger steak smothered in gravy. Sides include collard greens cooked with smoked turkey, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and green beans. I ordered Dab's BLT + fries, baked mac & cheese and potato salad. The BLT paired crispy, smoky bacon with fresh lettuce and juicy tomato for a classic combo. A side of golden fries rounds out the plate.

The baked macaroni and cheese was rich,l & creamy, with tender pasta coated in cheese and baked for an extra layer of flavor. The potato salad brings another cookout staple to the table, combining tender potatoes with a creamy, seasoned dressing. A delicious meal with basics executed well. Grade: A

The Dream Bean is an independent coffeehouse in Princeton where coffee, art, music and community come together. The shop opened on August 14, 2024, at 860 Mercer Street, replacing the former Wild Roots Coffee House. It was developed through the RiffRaff Arts Collective, led by Lori McKinney, as part of the organization's ongoing efforts to revitalize Princeton's downtown arts district. McKinney partnered with John Pounds of Appalachian Coffee House in Mount Nebo to help establish the business. Unlike a traditional grab-and-go coffee shop, The Dream Bean was designed as a neighborhood gathering place. Its interior features comfortable couches, local artwork, books and board games, while its programming includes live music, open mic nights, poetry readings and creative workshops. The menu includes espresso drinks, brewed coffee, teas, fruit smoothies, hot chocolate, sandwiches and baked goods. Early favorites included white chocolate mochas and strawberry-banana smoothies. The shop has also carried locally produced mushroom coffee and hot chocolate from Mercer County's E.B. Fungi. I ordered a peach-mango refresher (I'm on a kick with this flavor everywhere). Light, refreshing and slightly sweet - perfect for a summer day. I snuck around to see the back room area, which is super artsy and seems like the perfect space for an event. Grade: A

Mami Rica's Puerto Rican Island Kitchen is a home-based kitchen specializing in family recipes three generations in the making. And you've gotta try it. Abuela’s Puerto Rican Lasagna: Mami Rica’s signature dish features layers of seasoned meat, melted cheese, savory tomato sauce and traditional Puerto Rican flavors. The recipe has been passed down through three generations of family in Puerto Rico, bringing a taste of the island’s culinary heritage to West Virginia.

Puerto Rican Rice (Arroz con Gandules): A staple of Puerto Rican cuisine, this traditional island-style rice is cooked with gandules (pigeon peas), sofrito and aromatic seasonings. The result is a savory, flavorful side dish that complements the rich, cheesy lasagna. Grade: A

Latin Appalachian is a Welch-based restaurant operated by Roberto Diaz, affectionately known as "Taco Man." In February 2025, floods in McDowell County wreaked havoc on the restaurant, forcing it to close. Diaz had also used the restaurant to prepare thousands of free meals for flood victims and emergency responders. Afterward, he began hosting pop-ups around West Virginia to raise money for repairs and keep the business going. That's when I got a chance to try their food -- during one of these pop-ups. And at the time of this writing, Latin Appalachia is planning to host a grand re-opening Veterans Day weekend. Their menu features traditional Mexican dishes alongside creative Appalachian fusion specials, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and scratch-made food. I ordered a flight of mini chimis with chicken, beef, pepperoni roll and chocolate. Love the ability to sample, to try traditional plus fusion. Of course a pepperoni roll chimichanga makes sense. Plus dessert. Each with a sauce! Fun, creative and delicious. Grade: A