West Virginia has its own style of food that can’t be beat. It’s not hard to get a great meal around the Mountain State, but finding the best of the best is a bigger challenge. Some of the best chefs can be found competing in cook-offs around West Virginia. Whether you want to compete or just eat, these cook-offs have something for everyone. Here are some of those upcoming events organized by date.
- The Country Roads Cook-Off
Bridgeport Farmer’s Market The Country Roads Cook-Off was created by the FARM2U Collaborative. Events take place around West Virginia, with nonprofessional chefs creating dishes from local West Virginia ingredients. See your local farmer’s market for information about dates and location for your town.
- Great Pepperoni Roll Cookoff, Morgantown
Great Pepperoni Roll Cookoff! West Virginia’s favorite food is featured in this competition. Both home cooks and area restaurants will compete. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, with a 10% discount when purchased in advance online. Tickets include tastes of the pepperoni rolls and a chance to vote for the People’s Choice winner. All proceeds will support the 2nd Annual Statewide Tour of “Golden Horseshoe,” a musical celebrating West Virginia’s history and heritage. The event takes places at Morgantown Market Place, on Aug 07, 2016.
- The State Fair of West Virginia, Lewisburg
The State Fair of West Virginia The State Fair is hosting a large number of cooking and baking competitions. You can find out more about entering here. The fair takes place August 12-24.
- Third Annual Motown Mac N’ Cheese Cookoff, Morgantown
3rd Annual Motown Mac N’ Cheese Cookoff Morgantown’s restaurants are competing to see who makes the best Mac and Cheese. Tickets online are $12.00, or $15.00 at the door. Children under 6 are free. Tickets include samples of each Mac and Cheese, and a chance to vote for the People’s Choice favorite. The event takes place at Morgantown Market Place, on Aug 20, 2016.
- West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, Clarksburg
West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival hosts an annual pasta cook-off. This year’s cook-off will take place on August 27. The festival will be September 2-4 in 2016.
- Nicholas County Potato Cookoff, Summersville
Nicholas County Potato Festival This cook-off is part of the annual Nicholas County Potato Festival. This year’s cook-off will take place September 8th. Cash prizes for the best dishes will be determined by judges.
- Chilifest, Huntington
Chilifest WV Over 20,000 people show up to this annual event at Pullman Square. It benefits the Ronald McDonald House in the local area. The event is officially endorsed by the International Chili Society, and the winner will go on to compete with teams from around the world. It takes place September 10, 2016. All chili sample tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
- Road Kill Cook-off, Marlinton
Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce Don’t worry, you won’t actually be served roadkill at this festival, but rather the sort of animal that tends to get hit by cars. Wild game of all sorts is celebrated at this unique festival that’s been featured on the the Food Network, the Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel. The festival will sell tasting tickets for samples of the meals. It takes place September 24th.
- Bridge day Chili Cookoff, Fayetteville
Bridge day Chili Cookoff This is part of the event that celebrates the New River Gorge Bridge, with people coming from around the globe to BASE jump from it. It takes place October 15, 2016. The festival will sell tasting tickets for the chili.
If you’d like to explore more of West Virginia’s incredible food scene, check out these must-visit WV restaurants.
Bridgeport Farmer’s Market
The Country Roads Cook-Off was created by the FARM2U Collaborative. Events take place around West Virginia, with nonprofessional chefs creating dishes from local West Virginia ingredients. See your local farmer’s market for information about dates and location for your town.
Great Pepperoni Roll Cookoff!
West Virginia’s favorite food is featured in this competition. Both home cooks and area restaurants will compete. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, with a 10% discount when purchased in advance online. Tickets include tastes of the pepperoni rolls and a chance to vote for the People’s Choice winner. All proceeds will support the 2nd Annual Statewide Tour of “Golden Horseshoe,” a musical celebrating West Virginia’s history and heritage. The event takes places at Morgantown Market Place, on Aug 07, 2016.
The State Fair of West Virginia
The State Fair is hosting a large number of cooking and baking competitions. You can find out more about entering here. The fair takes place August 12-24.
3rd Annual Motown Mac N’ Cheese Cookoff
Morgantown’s restaurants are competing to see who makes the best Mac and Cheese. Tickets online are $12.00, or $15.00 at the door. Children under 6 are free. Tickets include samples of each Mac and Cheese, and a chance to vote for the People’s Choice favorite. The event takes place at Morgantown Market Place, on Aug 20, 2016.
West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival hosts an annual pasta cook-off. This year’s cook-off will take place on August 27. The festival will be September 2-4 in 2016.
Nicholas County Potato Festival
This cook-off is part of the annual Nicholas County Potato Festival. This year’s cook-off will take place September 8th. Cash prizes for the best dishes will be determined by judges.
Chilifest WV
Over 20,000 people show up to this annual event at Pullman Square. It benefits the Ronald McDonald House in the local area. The event is officially endorsed by the International Chili Society, and the winner will go on to compete with teams from around the world. It takes place September 10, 2016. All chili sample tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce
Don’t worry, you won’t actually be served roadkill at this festival, but rather the sort of animal that tends to get hit by cars. Wild game of all sorts is celebrated at this unique festival that’s been featured on the the Food Network, the Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel. The festival will sell tasting tickets for samples of the meals. It takes place September 24th.
Bridge day Chili Cookoff
This is part of the event that celebrates the New River Gorge Bridge, with people coming from around the globe to BASE jump from it. It takes place October 15, 2016. The festival will sell tasting tickets for the chili.
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