There are a handful of chocolate-makers in West Virginia - the most recent one I discovered was EH Chocolates. Based in Kirby, the chocolatier uses Swiss chocolate and makes chocolate creations in truffle form. Some of their popular candies include peanut butter buckeyes, chocolate covered strawberries and coconut eggs.
Here's a little bit about Chef Eric Hott: "I was born in Winchester, VA and grew up on a farm in Kirby, West Virginia. My mother is from Hornberg, Germany and my dad is from Kirby, where my family still lives ... My grandmother always had something cooking and she definitely taught me a lot about good home cooking and country style food. That’s where a lot of my creations and dishes started. Mixing together ingredients to inspire new flavors, designs and textures were all things that I noted to make a twist on many foods. ... High School did not provide all the food classes during my attendance, but I made the best of what I could get. Sweets, from pastries, chocolates and desserts became a big passion for me. Just hearing the positive feedback on these creations was a positive boost of self-esteem. After graduating High School in 2003, I moved to Baden-Baden, Germany and started a three year apprenticeship to obtain my Culinary Arts Degree. Working with Swiss Chocolate alongside a French Pastry Chef at the Kurhaus Firm/ Confiserie Rumpelmayer, became the new ground rule. ... Ten years in Europe provided me with so much experience and wisdom. I spent the summer of 2013 creating and designing recipes while enjoying the task of gardening to processing the produce. I call it back to the roots, literally. Nature provides a lot, it is a matter of what is made and done with it. In the meantime, I started a small business called EH Chocolates & More/Farm Food. I have put my chocolate creations into many different taste assortments in truffle form. I enjoy the aspect of allowing locals to experience chocolate at a gourmet level. I use Swiss chocolate exclusively; therefore, it has its own standard for quality. "
I had reached out and set up an appointment to pick up an assortment of chocolates, as well as some chocolate-covered strawberries. There's really something special about a box of assorted chocolates. Each and every one is like a little treasure. It's clear these are made with loving attention. to detail, because the flavors are clear and perfectly combined.
If you haven't had a chance to check them out, add this to your must-try West Virginia list.
Grade: A
There is a bright teal food truck making an appearance in Kanawha City lately. It is dishing out the unlikely duo of coffee and hotdogs, but the name pulls it all together: The Beanie Weenie.
Beanie options include a peanut butter coffee with strawberry drizzle, a mocha coffee with peanut butter drizzle, and the one that caught my eye was The Dudded Milk: caramel coffee with chocolate and caramel syrup. (Side note: Milk duds are one of my favorite candies).
My coffee was quite tasty. Sweet, milky, and no hint of bitterness. Just well-rounded satisfaction.
I ordered the Country Roads hot dog, which is a deep-fried hot dog with chili, slaw, mustard and onions. I don't know that I noticed a big difference with the deep-fried hotdog, and I wish the slaw was a little bit more cohesive and had something to hold it more together. It was a bit piecey, rather than a paste consistency.
Overall, not a bad meal if you are in the mood for brunch: breakfast - coffee and lunch - hotdog.
Grade: B
Let me set a scenario for you: It's a cool late summer/early fall day. You're at the farmers market. There's a donut food truck. Does it get much better? I caught Drifter Doughnuts at tbe Bridgeport Farmers Market recently and had to get my hands on these mini donuts.
They serve a small boatload of mini donuts topped with all sorts of goodies, like fruit, nuts, caramel, and even bacon. I went for cherry crisp, which had cherry pie filling, cream cheese icing and graham cracker crumbles. Sweet, crisp donuts with that fruity, comforting topping - a delish snack on this day.
Grade: A
Taco Tuesday has taken on a new meaning in Charleston with BG'z LA Street Tacos. This pop-up vendor is using the commercial kitchen at 432 Shrewsbury (First Baptist Church) every Tuesday and you do not want to miss out.
They offer 3 chicken or steak tacos along with rice and beans for just $10. I went for one chicken and two steak so I could get a taste of each. Plus, there are a whole variety of salsas to top the tacos with.
YUM. They're like homestyle tacos, but with the benefit of tons of options for sauces. I could pass on the beans next time and double up on the rice - which was moist and flavorful. The tacos had well-seasoned meat, fresh veggies and they were piping hot to order.
Grade: A
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