January 6th, 2009

Location: Charleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, WV

This January 23rd, The Greenbrier Sporting Club would like to enter a team into the 2009 Cast Iron Cook-Off. Each team is comprised of 8 participants with one Team Captain (one of our chef’s). Participants can be a mix of GSC culinarians, GSC employees and GSC members.

For More Information:
To be a Team Member or to sponsor a Team Member, please contact
Harmony Kopelov (304) 647-6115.

Entry Fee per participant is $300, excluding hotel accommodations. $200 of that cost is tax deductible.

The Cook-Off might best be described as West Virginia’s culinary trade fair. Just as Tamarack showcases the artists and artisans of the state, the Cast Iron Cook-Off showcases its culinary talent and attractions.

Cook-Off judges include such national and international culinary celebrities as the Lee Anne Wong from Bravo’s Top Chef. Rod Stoner, winner of the West Virginia Tourism lifetime achievement award, is also a member of the judging panel. In addition to approximately 450 in-state business leaders, key legislators, and culinary celebrities attending the gala dinner, we expect dignitaries to include the First Lady, the Secretary of Commerce and Commissioners of Agriculture and Tourism.

The event draws participants and chefs from around the region. Of the 120 Cook-Off “foodies” who participated on teams in January 2008, 20 % were from DC/Maryland or Pittsburgh and other nearby states. Properties represented included: Café Cimino, Stonewall Resort, Bridge Road Bistro, Provence Market, Smokey’s on the Gorge, the Charleston Marriott, Solera Café, Hotel Blennerhassett, Berry Hills Country Club, LansdowneResort (Leesburg, VA) and Bedford Springs Resort (PA).

Saturday evening’s celebratory dinner, which is a five course, wine-paired feast that is truly worthy of a fourstar property, culminates with the announcement of the winner and presentation of awards. The Pioneer Award, established to recognize an individual who has made a significant contribution to fostering and forwarding tourism in West Virginia, is also presented. The 2008 awardee was Governor Gaston Caperton.

Filed under: Culinary, Events, Local Information |