Locals Found Among Favorites in WV Living’s Best Of WV
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WHEELING - Two local eateries and a beloved park's resort were among the top winners of WV Living Magazine's Best of West Virginia contest.
Annually the magazine allows people to vote for their favorite businesses and professionals in several categories.
The Vagabond Kitchen of Wheeling won for Best Appalachian Cuisine and Best Brunch. Vagabond Kitchen Chef Matt Welsch was also a runner up for best chef.
"It’s great encouragement to be recognized in this way. Best Chef is becoming my great white whale," Welsch said Friday. "I’ve been runner-up in 2018, 2020, 2022, and now in 2023. To be honest, I’m more than honored to be included amongst the most talented in our state.
"We have some real talent, and I’m humbled to be counted among them," he added, "but at the same time, I would really like to bring that title home to the Ohio Valley some year."
Welsch said he is also proud of his staff and Head Chef Dave Becker who have made brunch their own.
"They work hard to do this one special menu a week and come in early after a late Saturday night," he said. "I’m super proud of them and thankful for them.
"Best Appalachian is really exciting," he continued. "I do a lot of research and development looking into our heritage for dishes and bringing them into our modern day in a way that retains their relevance. Having that work recognized feels great."
Also, Coleman's Fish Market of Wheeling won for best sandwich.
"It's the iconic West Virginia sandwich," WV Living wrote in its magazine, "the must-have meal on any trip to Wheeling for decades - since 1914, actually."
Oglebay Park won for best resort, finishing ahead of runners-up The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs and the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive the title of Best Resort in West Virginia for 2023,” said Bob Peckenpaugh, president and CEO at Oglebay Resort. “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We take great pride in providing a memorable experience that showcases the beauty of West Virginia and creates lasting memories for our guests.”
The city of Wheeling was named Best Town in the Northern Panhandle. There was a tie for Best Fair/Festival with New Martinsville's Back Home Festival and the West Virginia State Fair in Lewisburg both winning.
In addition to Welsch, other runners up included the Health Plan for corporate citizen; Grand Vue Park of Moundsville for disc golf course; Oglebay Park for golf course; Oglebay Good Zoo for a place to take the kids; Cabela's in Ohio County for outdoor/gear shop; and Fiesta tableware for a non-food West Virginia-made product.