In celebration of the Taste of Charleston’s 30th year, there will be a cake baking contest open only to amateur bakers.
Interested parties must bring home baked cakes (completely made from scratch; no boxed mixes, no canned frosting) to the Civic Center by noon on June 17, 2012, along with the recipe, the entrant’s name, address and phone contact.
Up for grabs are $60, $90 and $130 cash prizes for the top three cakes. Pre-registration isn’t necessary, but you must register to enter on the contest day itself at the venue.
For more …

Tea and herb enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Spring Herb and Tea Festival is back this year! Presented by the West Virginia Herb Association and the Charleston Tea Festival, the event is happening tomorrow, May 12, at the India Center on 800 Green Road in South Charleston.
“Everything’s Coming up Roses” is the theme this year, with herbal products, specialty teas and craft item up for sale. There will also be hands-on workshops, classes, and of course, tea tasting. Hassan Amjad, a noted ethnobotanist will also give a …

Stand at the corner of Virginia Street West and Central Avenue, and you’ll get a whiff of the most delectable smell of meat grilling. That’s wafting from Dem2 Brothers and A Grill, a barbecue place by former football player Adrian “Bay” Wright.
The Charleston native recently came back and set up shop at the Five Corners, grilling pork ribs and shoulders and basting them with his special sauce. Though it’s only a concession stand at the moment, people are really lining up to pick up lunch and dinner orders. A bar …

Farmers Markets are now becoming a common fixture in Charleston, WV as residents start hankering for fresh, organic produce. Aside from getting the best ingredients, farmers markets also give shoppers to chat with the farmers who grow the vegetables, and support the local economy.
These farmers markets are seen to address the needs of the locals for healthy alternatives. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared West Virginia as one of the most obese state in the USA, it is hoped that these markets make fresh fruits and vegetables …

Cookbooks dating all the way back to 1829 are archived at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History library. Around 80 historic state cookbooks are in the library’s shelf and is available for viewing for all library visitors.
The recipe books range from personal tomes, written in the hand of the homemaker or a compilation of recipes sponsored by a drug store or a food company. There are even recipe books from the Confederate times where recipes from the war are chronicles, along with tips on how to make …

Charleston residents looking for fresher ingredients that are sourced close to home are in for a treat. Fish Hawk Acres, a local brand that brings together produce from farms within the community, is making fresh, locally grown vegestables and fruits to consumers in West Virginia.
Located in Rock Cave, Fish Hawk Acres brings us Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), wherein you can order the harvest of the season. Each selection vary depending on whatever blooms in time for each distribution.
Some sample of selections include:
A: Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce, Pea Tendrils, Arugula, …

A new restaurant joins Charleston, WV’s culinary offerings. Tikka Masala opened last April 17 on 247 Capitol Street, serving the very best in Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
Derived from the popular dish, the word tikka means “cutlet” and masala refers to the sauce it is served in, which is made with a mixture of spices, as is common in South Asian cooking. Expect a medley of dishes accompanied by the delicious aromas that is the trademark of Indian food as you walk in the restaurant for their lunch buffets that runs …

The Charleston City Council has recently passed a bill that would allow restaurants to start serving meals in an outdoor seating area. While some restaurants already have tables out front, it’s within their private property. The bill is for outdoor dining on public property.
The news is received with much excitement from citizens who envision a village vibe with streets closed off for a more complete outdoor dining experience, similar to what they have in European cities. However, some have reservations as it might draw some complaints, specially about lack of …

The World’s Championship Chili Cookoff is coming to West Virginia! The event will be happening in various cities in WV. In Charleston, the Smoke on the Water Regional will be happening on June 16 at the Haddad Riverfront Park on Kanawha Boulevard.
Prizes for the cook off range from $150 for the People’s Choice and up to $7,500 for the first place. The winner in this category will be advacing to the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff 2012.
The International Chili Society has made arrangements with Charleston hotels to offer special discounts for …

Davis Park between the Capitol and Summer Streets is being given a touch up, after its last redesign in the 80′s. There will be a removal of three pear trees and a couple of smaller trees might raise the hackles of environmentalists, but it will be replaced with flowering dogwood and native West Virginia foliage like rhododendron, phlox, ferns and bluebells.
Already removed are the hedges along Lee and Capitol streets, giving the citizens and law enforcement an easy view in and out of the park. The park’s redesign is aiming …