The West Virginia Culinary Trail aims to highlight the must-visit restaurants across the Mountain State that have been selected by the inaugural class of West Virginia Chef Ambassadors. Participants will earn prizes fit for a foodie by checking in at participating restaurants.

“We invite travelers from near and far to put the West Virginia Culinary Trail on their must-do list this winter and beyond,” said West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “While you’re tasting the best dishes the Mountain State has to offer, you might as well enjoy a side of adventure too. Plan a foodie road trip and stay a while in Almost Heaven.”

By highlighting the many world-class and unique dining destinations available to travelers in West Virginia, the Culinary Trail will encourage visitors to add a savory stop to their next adventure. Inspired by the favorite stops of the current class of Chef Ambassadors, restaurants across the state are included in this program. As new Chef Ambassadors join the program, the Culinary Trail will be updated to include their selections. 

According to recent research, over half of leisure travelers are also food travelers. Since food and beverage are an integral part of any vacation, this initiative is coming at a great time for the Mountain State. 

Be Among the First to Access the West Virginia Culinary Trail

To get started, visit wvtourism.com/culinary-trail and register to have the West Virginia Culinary Trail mobile passport delivered straight to your smartphone. The user checks in at each restaurant using GPS location and receives one (1) point for each check-in. As they work to complete the Culinary Trail, users can redeem their points on prizes.

The first Culinary Trail will begin November 2023. Each year, the challenge will be updated to include new locations recommended by the next class of Chef Ambassadors.

The More You Dine, the More You Earn 

The West Virginia Department of Tourism is rewarding participants with exclusive gear along the way: 

• Check in at three (3) or more restaurants and receive a WV Culinary Trail carabiner bottle opener. 
• Check in at ten (10) or more restaurants and receive a chef-selected local ingredient & custom recipe card.
• Check in at all restaurants and receive a locally made charcuterie tray.

“From upscale to casual bites, we want to make your efforts to eat your way around Almost Heaven worth every mile,” said Ruby. “While out and about on the West Virginia Culinary Trail, be sure to post photos of your best meals on social media using #AlmostHeaven.”

For more information, visit wvtourism.com/culinary-trail.

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bridgeport's Cody Thrasher of Cody's, who is one of the chef ambassadors for the program, while a meal at the Forks Inn in Elkins is shown below. Photos courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Tourism.