A Taste of West Virginia
BY SAMANTHA CART. Appalachia’ s food and drink culture was born of iconic dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. From Buckwheat pancakes to moonshine, West Virginia is known across the globe for its unique products. In this year’ s Winners Circle, we’ re honoring Bloomery Distillery Plantation, Buzz Food Service, Smooth Ambler Spirits and Uncle Bunk’ s, which produce Mountain State-made foods and drinks enjoyed around the country while creating jobs and making a significant impact on their local communities.
Bloomery Distillery Plantation
After an inspiring trip to Italy in 2010, Tom Kiefer and Linda Losey, co-owners of Bloomery Plantation Distillery in Charles Town, WV, began creating award-winning liqueurs made from their own organic, homegrown ingredients, including lemons, raspberries, ginger, pumpkins, cranberries and black walnuts.
The distillery has won more than 25 international awards, including the honor of being named one of Entrepreneur magazine’ s best entrepreneurial companies in America. The company’ s products can currently be purchased in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, West Virginia and Washington, D. C.
“ We are growing beyond the northeast this year to California, Texas and Illinois and are also talking to distributors in Europe,” says Losey.“ It has been an exciting process so far with the ups and downs of running a small local business that is community centric but also has the potential of growing into a global business. Terrifying? Yes, but breaking through that terror barrier has been thrilling.”
Buzz Food Service
Buzz Food Service, a specialty meat company in Charleston, WV, has met the changing needs of the food services industry by providing high-quality meat and seafood for more than 50 years.
Since Dickinson Gould Jr. became part of the executive team that purchased the company in 1968, it has grown to employ 40 people.
“ I believe we’ ve helped many local restaurants be more successful,” says Gould, president and owner.“ One of our aspirations is to create an environment where the people of Charleston and other communities around the state become more thoughtful about and loyal to local restaurants. The more we embrace and support small business, the stronger our entrepreneurial culture becomes, resulting in more unique, local dining options and more vibrant places to live and work.”
Buzz ships its quality cuts to independent restaurants, country clubs, hotels and resort properties in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia, including Paterno’ s at the Park, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Berry Hills Country Club, Bricks & Barrels and Le Bistro.
Smooth Ambler Spirits Co.
Founded in 2009, craft distillery Smooth Ambler Spirits Co. uses local mountain water, regionally sourced corn and wheat and clean air to produce handcrafted vodka, gin and whiskey products in West Virginia’ s Greenbrier Valley.
The small business currently has 12 employees, but CEO John Little expects to have 20 employees by the end of 2017 to fulfill the needs of the burgeoning company, which ships its products to 33 U. S. states and the U. K.
Along with making a significant impact on the local economy through its sales and tasting room, which sees approximately 180 visitors a week during peak season, Smooth Ambler also extends its reach by purchasing 88 percent of its grain from Turkey Creek Farms in Monroe County, WV.
“ Our farmer is able to continue his family business because we are buying so much grain,” says Little.“ I think it’ s huge for our area that we promote West Virginia agri-tourism all around the world.”
Uncle Bunk’ s, LLC
A specialty food company located in Sistersville, WV, Uncle Bunk’ s is truly a family affair. Owned and operated by Larry Young; his wife, Rose Marie Young; and their daughter, Stacey Young Kasun, the company manufactures handmade, gourmet products using fresh produce and spices with the goal of keeping Appalachia’ s canning tradition alive.
Uncle Bunk’ s sells its products online; at fairs, festivals and craft shows across the Mid-Atlantic region; and in 150 gift shops, grocery stores and specialty food stores in the U. S. In the past, Uncle Bunk’ s products were also exported to Hong Kong.
“ Our products are made from old family recipes,” says Young Kasun, co-owner and director of business.“ My dad learned to can and farm in Wetzel County, and these products are our heritage. We are proud to be representing West Virginia and a part of her culture that folks outside the state don’ t have a chance to experience.”
WWW. WVEXECUTIVE. COM SPRING 2017
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