The Charleston Gazette - Food & Dining

Delight your valentines with heart-shaped foods

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Get your heart-shaped cookie cutters ready. Theyre really the only special equipment required for these special Valentines Day treats. Oh, and a marble ... First, the easy and most obvious ones: Heart-shaped toast spread...

W.Va.s Mellow Moods cafe is all about organic

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:09:06 -0500

By Chris Jackson

The Journal

SHEPHERDSTOWN -- Gabriel Mastrangelo walks down a dim staircase past his father Philip as he asks his son a question....

Vines & Vittles: Frugal choices can be a tasty bargain

(John Brown) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:00:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Winter has descended upon us with a frigid dose of reality. Not so much in the literal sense of the word since this has been a relatively mild season so far. No, I speak of another cold reality -- debt. The profligacy of the hol...

Beers to You: Belgian beer, part 2: Strong Ales

(Rich Ireland) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:00:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In my last column, I spent some time discussing the history and importance of Belgium in brewing and beer culture. I tackled the subtle differences between Abbey and Trappist beers. In this column I will try to further untangle ...

Mini burgers add bite-sized fun to game parties

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:14:06 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I love sliders. You get the taste of a full burger or sandwich without the high calorie and fat count of their big-brother sized ones. Unless you eat two, or five ... The perhaps unappealing term "slider," according to ...

Food Notes: Feb. 1, 2012

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:22:38 -0500

Dip Dinner CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The East End Family Resource Center will hold its annual Heart and Soup Dip Dinner from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Charleston Armory on Coonskin Drive. Crowders Auction will conduct an auction. All proceed...

Parkersburg groups develop Earth Day ale

( ) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:40:21 -0500

PARKERSBURG -- Mother Earth Foods and the North End Tavern and Brewery in Parkersburg are collaborating on a new ale for Earth Day.

Plans call for the brew with a hazelnut brown style to be called Health Nut Brow...

Hurricane High project urges fast-food restaurants to buy locally

(Kate White) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:20:59 -0500

HURRICANE, W.Va. -- A team of Hurricane High School students is working on a project to establish greater food sustainability in the area by trying to get fast food restaurants to buy their produce from local growers. "Were looking at major fast-...

Greenbrier chef to appear on Today

(Staff reports) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:20:22 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Tune in to the "Today" show during the 9 a.m. hour Thursday to catch an appearance by The Greenbriers executive chef Richard Rosendale, whos on his way to compete in the prestigious Bocuse dOr USA National Competition Sun...

Kristin Mallorys tips on living with celiac disease

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:25:30 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kristin Mallory could barely keep up with her two young children after she and her husband moved from Maryland to Charlotte, N.C., in 1996. The "tender stomach" shed had since childhood flared into full-blown gastroint...

Cast Iron Cook-Off, Throw Down winners crowned

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:41:56 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Ten West Virginia chefs of fine restaurants and culinary programs put their culinary skills and innovative menus to the test Saturday at the 7th annual Cast Iron Cook-Off at The Greenbrier. Sponsored by the Collaborative for the 21st...

Table Talk: Simmering soups warm a winter day

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Campbells is right. Soup is good food, especially when the weather is cold and dreary. Its definitely soup season. As I searched for some healthy twists on old favorites, I hit one of my favorite websites, skinnytaste...

Vines & Vittles: Store wine in a dark, cool, quiet spot

(John Brown) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:00:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- People are always asking me for suggestions on how to build or to establish a wine cellar in their homes. Today Ill explain how you can find the proper place to store wine in your home or even in an apartment. First, you dont ha...

Sweet talk: Have some cake, and eat pie too

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- James Oseland, editor in chief of Saveur magazine, proclaimed 2012 "The Year of the Cake" during a recent appearance on NBCs "Today" show. Cupcake ...

Food Notes: Jan. 11, 2012

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:45:00 -0500

Sunday supper at Bluegrass CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Bluegrass Kitchen will offer Italian-inspired dinner service on Sunday evenings, starting Jan. 15. Diners may choose from three pa...

Minister writes spiritual guide to nutrition, health

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:45:00 -0500

"Winning the Food Fight," in hardcover retails for $19.99 and is available at Barnes & Noble and ChristianBook distributors, or online at

Food Notes: Jan. 4, 2011

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:45:00 -0500
Girl Scout cookies Coming soon to an order form near you -- Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council launch the annual cookies sale Friday. Savannah Smiles, a crisp lemon wedge cookie introduced this year, celebrates the 100th anniversary ...

Chef helps those in need

mackenzie.mays@wvgazette.com (Mackenzie Mays) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:45:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Chef Robert Wong is no stranger to serving others. As owner of the Bridge Road Bistro, hes been preparing gourmet meals for the Charleston area for almost eight years. Now, Wong is using his culi...

Beers to You: Belgian beer, part 1: Trappist and abbey beer

(Rich Ireland) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The idea to publish a short series of columns to simplify the seemingly complex world of Belgian beer came to me under anesthesia; well OK, it was local anesthesia while having some very minor surgery. The good doctor and I were...

Raising up a new bakery beside the river in Huntington (Video)

douglas@cnpapers.com (Douglas Imbrogno) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:00:00 -0500
Want to Go. River and Rail is located at the corner of 11th Street and Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Huntington. Open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 304-399-1247 or visit

Creperi owners open Greek-Italian restaurant

lori.kersey@wvgazette.com (Lori Kersey) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A longtime Charleston-area restaurant owner has added a new eatery to Dudley Farms Plaza along Corridor G. Manoli Stavrulakis latest venture, Pizza Barbarossa, serves Greek-Italian style food including pizza. The restaurant open...

Healthy Bites: Sweets don't have to be cut from your list

judy@wvgazette.com (Judy Grigoraci) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- There was a time when desserts were on the "never enjoy" list for a large population because of particular medical conditions, allergies and dietary concerns. Informed thinking, research and development of new products...

Neighbors visit and dine at progressive dinner

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The neighbors on our short street gathered last weekend for our annual Christmas progressive dinner. Its one of the first things we write on our holiday calendars. An alert neighbor (not me) usually prompts the rather ...

A quick fix for New Years Eve

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0500
Recipes follow storyCHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Looking at another "quiet New Years Eve at home." Are your neighbors in the same rut. Why not poll them and see if theyre up for a progressive dinner. Its an especially nice idea on New Years Eve...

Making mincemeat of the holidays

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:23:25 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- When Margery Edington arrived in Gallipolis, Ohio, as a World War II bride in 1946, she brought along some customs from her home and family in Plymouth, England. Perha...

Health report cards

(Megan Workman) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:45:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As a committee forms and prepares to consider whether the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department should adopt a letter-grade system for health inspections, area restaurants have had different reactions to the...

Vines & Vittles: Gift ideas for the oenophiles on your list

(John Brown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 13:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Depending on your budget, the sky is virtually the limit when it comes to finding a wine to give that special person. Today, I provide a list of some of my favorite cabernet sauvignons from the exceptional 2007 vintage. (Note to ...

Healthy Bites: Decadent cookies get sweet adjustments

judy@wvgazette.com (Judy Grigoraci) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- This is the first of two "Decadent December" columns. I hit upon the name when I realized I had a few chocolate-inspired recipes on hand to give. Savor the sweetness of a homemade dessert in either or both of these rec...

Holiday bakers take top honors in Gazette contest

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:45:00 -0500
Winners and recipes follow this storyCHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The baking skills of Gazette readers shone last week as enticing entries for the Holiday Bread Contest arrived in the newsroom. Judges, three for each of the categories, sampled and sav...

Apples and so much more at Martinsburg market

(Staff reports) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A colleague at the Gazette raves about the apple butter made by Orrs Farm Market near Martinsburg. The family-owned orchard and market has a web site -- orrsfarmmarket.com -- wh...

St. Johns festive dinner benefits Manna Meal

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:45:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Chef Gary Needham plans to serve a meal fit for a merry king of England Dec. 9 and 10 when guests gather for the annual "Madrigal Feast," a dinner theater benefit for Manna Meal, at St. Johns Episcopal parish hall. ...

Food Notes: Nov. 30, 2011

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:45:00 -0500
Holiday wine tastings CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Liquor Company, 1600 Patrick St., will host wine tastings from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. The Dec. 12 tasting features high-end cabernet sauvignon and Bordeaux style blends from around th...

Healthy Bites: Recipe-ready squash is my new best friend

judy@wvgazette.com (Judy Grigoraci) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Have any of you tried cutting through a raw butternut squash. I felt I needed a chain saw when I got into a recipe some time back that called for cutting the squash in half before any cooking softened it. What a wrestling match it was ...

Greenbrier Valleys small farms think big

kathryng@wvgazette.com (Kathryn Gregory) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:04:33 -0500
LEWISBURG -- When Jennifer "Tootie" Jones looks out over her 150-acre farm in Lewisburg, she doesnt just see cattle and horses. She sees potential for growth. "What people are open to [in the region] is looking how they can contin...

Jefferson County requires food service badges

webmaster@ap.org ( The Associated Press) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:08:30 -0500
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Workers at more than 400 food service businesses in Jefferson County soon will have to wear photo badges to show that theyre complying with food-handling training requirements. The new system begins Jan. 1. The badges issued by...

Charitable groups to feed the masses

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:45:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- So your Thanksgiving guest list includes a vegan, two people with different food allergies, one malcontent and other guests who think every dish youve ever served is a "tradition" and must appear on table. Count you...

Holiday baking contest: Send us your recipes

( ) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Do you make an award-winning holiday bread or sweet roll. Enter it in The Charleston Gazettes Holiday Bread Contest. Gazette staff will choose and photograph first-, second- and third-place winners in each of three categories: yeast br...

Greenbrier waitress holds out to retire after 50 years at resort

earle@wvgazette.com (Rosalie Earle) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:15:11 -0500
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Doris Watson walks with a slight limp. One foot hurts so much that she has had physical therapy and takes pain medication. "My orthopedic surgeon finds it amusing that I work to keep my feet moving to work when ever...

Holiday baking contest: Bring us your best

(Staff reports) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Do you make an award-winning holiday bread or sweet roll. Enter it in The Charleston Gazettes Holiday Bread Contest. Gazette staff will choose and photograph first-, second- and third-place winners in each of three categories: ye...

Vines & Vittles: Variety of whites and reds go with turkey dinner

(John Brown) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I hope youve been training hard because we are about to embark upon a food and wine marathon that begins with Thanksgiving, shifts into high gear for holiday parties, and roars into overdrive for Christmas and New Years celebrati...

Dunbar church holds Thanksgiving dinner

(Staff reports) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:36:06 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Dunbar Church of Christ will serve a free Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. This church is located at...

Food Notes: Nov. 16, 2011

julier@wvgazette.com (Julie Robinson) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:45:00 -0500
Clip & save help CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Expert advice is just a call or click away: Butterball Turkey Talk-Line: 800-288-8372,