New international restaurant map shows a world of flavors ... here in West Virginia
- Steven Keith
- 24 hours ago
- 4 min read
Nomada up for best cake shop, BBQ winners named
After spending 46 years working on world business affairs for the West Virginia Department of Commerce, former director Steve Spence has seen (and eaten!) a lot of international food in his time.
And now, as president of the World Affairs Council of West Virginia, he’s trying to spread the word about all of the delicious continental cuisine you can find right here in Almost Heaven – no passport required.
“Whenever I travel outside the United States, I always appreciate the opportunity to experience foods that are authentic to the region I’m visiting,” he said. “It is increasingly possible to find many of the same foods throughout West Virginia.”
A new page on the council’s website lists more than 100 restaurants serving international food throughout the state, from Asian in the Northern Panhandle, Turkish in Morgantown, Italian in Central West Virginia and Mediterranean in Charleston to Indian in Huntington, Swiss in the Potomac Highlands and South American in the Eastern Panhandle.
Steve knows there’s more to add, however, and that’s where we come in. After sharing the list with me and asking for input, he agreed to let me throw this out to my followers to help fill in those blanks.
We’ve already flagged a few must-adds (like Yen’s Sandwiches in South Charleston) but who else should be on this worldly list? Take a look at the cool state map at www.worldaffairswv.org/a-taste-of-the-world-in-west-virginia and send your recommendations my way.
One caveat, though: You’ll notice there are no Chinese and Mexican restaurants shown. Steve said there are far too many of those to mention, so that’s a project for another day.
Nomada up for best U.S. cake shop, again
After winning the title last year, Huntington’s Nomada Bakery has once again been nominated by a panel of industry experts as “Best Cake Shop” in the country by U.S. Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
That means readers across the nation (including you!) can vote daily until June 8 to help determine this year’s winner, which will be announced on June 17.
“To be nominated again after winning last year is incredibly meaningful,” said Ariel Barcenas, co-owner and head baker of Nomada Bakery.
“There are outstanding bakeries across the country, so the fact that our small shop in Huntington is once again part of this national conversation says a great deal about our community and our staff. We’re deeply grateful.”
Nomada first earned national attention in 2025 when readers across the country voted the bakery the top cake shop in America. That recognition brought visitors from across the region to Huntington and elevated the bakery’s national profile, while reinforcing its reputation for from-scratch baking and flavor-driven cakes.
While cakes remain at the center of Nomada’s identity — including favorites like its chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream, lemon-blueberry cake, mixed-berry cakes, alfacakes, signature baby cakes, and freshly baked cupcakes — the bakery has also become widely known for its hand-laminated croissants and a rotating menu of empanadas, soups, sandwiches and house-roasted coffee.
“Our team has built something special by staying committed to quality,” said Dr. Shawn Schulenberg, a professor at Marshall University and the bakery’s co-owner. “Every item we serve is made from scratch, which requires time, precision and a great deal of care. We focus on doing things the right way, rather than the fastest or easiest way.”
Nomada Bakery is located at 210 11th St. inside Heritage Station in downtown Huntington and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Supporters can vote daily through June 8 at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/nomada-bakery-huntington-west-virginia.
Near clean sweeps at Charley West BBQ Fest
While more than a dozen competition and backyard teams served up smoky goodness at this past Saturday’s Charley West BBQ Fest at Slack Plaza, only a few of those walked away with trophies.
In a near clean sweep in the competition (professional) division, Shawn McColligan from T&S BBQ in Parkersburg won best ribs, pulled pork and wild card, with Laura Miller from Smokin’ Up the Holler taking best sauce and Jason Bennett from Gettin’ Piggy With It 304 claiming people’s choice.
And almost sweeping the backyard (amateur) division was Bradley Schmalzer of the Kanawha Valley Trail Alliance, winning best ribs, pulled pork, wild card and people’s choice, with the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond winning best sauce with their Tagalong-flavored creation.
I had an indulgent time judging 32 different ribs, pulled pork platters, sauces and “wild card” entries in the competition division, but tapped out before this year’s backyard entries were scored.
While my digestive system appreciated the restraint, I very much regretted that decision when I later heard those contestants were just as good (if not better) than the pros!
Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy” who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, X, Instagram and Pinterest as “WV Food Guy.” He can be reached at wvfoodguy@aol.com.