The Greenbrier Valley might be comprised of small towns, but restaurants here create big flavor using the freshest local ingredients. There are a growing number of restaurant owners and chefs who care about supporting the local economy and buying from small family farms. New restaurant owner Chris Gould is excited about the abundance of local food in the Greenbrier Valley. “Not only do we believe in putting money back into the community, but the quality and taste are far superior,” said Gould, who purchased the Chestnut Revival café in Hinton in April. Gould, originally from New Orleans, has been a chef for 22 years, and worked as sous chef for world-renowned chefs up and down the East Coast. The Chestnut Revival offers casual fine dining every Friday night with a prix fixe five-course dinner and live music. They also showcase local talents with an open mic and gourmet dinner specials on Saturday evenings.
As the demand for Greenbrier Valley Grown food continues to grow, the Greenbrier Valley Local Foods Initiative encourages eaters to eat with the season. The launch of their Local Food First campaign this July offers a unique way for consumers to get involved. The campaign features a different seasonal food item each month. For July, it is greens such as lettuce, kale, or chard. Restaurants are encouraged to create dishes around the Local Food First item and consumers are encouraged to look for and enjoy the monthly food feature at farmers markets, participating restaurants, or at their dinning room tables.
One way to share your enthusiasm for local food is by growing, purchasing, or cooking Greenbrier Valley Grown featured food. You can take a picture of the local food and post to the Greenbrier Valley Grown Facebook page. Simply use the hashtag #localfoodfirst, and tag your friends, family, and local restaurants. “This campaign involves the whole community and aims to supports farmers and food businesses all year round,” said India Keller, coordinator at the Greenbrier Valley Local Foods Initiative.
So, look for the Local Food First hashtag on Facebook and ask your server what they have that is Greenbrier Valley Grown. Currently, you can find Local Food First specials at The Chestnut Revival in Hinton, The Sunnyside Café, inside the Green Grocer in Alderson, Hill and Holler, and The Wild Bean in Lewisburg. For a list of participating restaurants, farmers markets, and retail stores, visit GreenbrierValleyGrown.org.