2026 Farm-to-Table Event Series – Holly River State Park - September 9, 2026

📍The Cookhouse Restaurant

🍸 Social Starts at 5:30 p.m.

🍽️Dinner is at 6 p.m.

West Virginia State Parks, in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, is pleased to announce the 2026 Farm to Table Event Series! The individual talents of our state park chefs come to life as they craft unforgettable culinary experiences, preparing sumptuous dinners with the freshest products sourced from local vendors.

Each dinner in the series will feature its own unique theme, setting, entertainment and menu. These annual events at West Virginia’s state park restaurants create a unique summertime experience you don’t want to miss!

The most unique and coziest restaurant in the entire West Virginia State Park system is the Cookhouse at Holly River. Operated by Kristi Colburn, the Cookhouse is a full-service seasonal restaurant in the heart of Holly River State Park that delights patrons with high-quality products and friendly service that is reminiscent of walking into an old Appalachian homestead. That’s every day, but for the Farm to Table event, Kristi has curated a menu sourced and inspired by the farms, rivers, and mountain traditions of West Virginia. Guests will enjoy a menu that celebrates locally sourced ingredients, handcrafted preparation, and rustic Appalachian comfort.

Kristi’s menu includes: Charred sweet corn brushed with herb cream butter, smoked paprika, cotija-style cheese, and fresh lime. Fresh seasonal greens, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and garden herbs tossed with our scratch-made farmhouse Ranch dressing. Fresh-caught Rainbow Trout from the cold mountain waters of West Virginia, lightly seasoned and pan-seared to a golden finish. Slow-simmered Appalachian stone-ground grits enriched with creamy local cheese and sweet cream butter. Golden cornmeal fritters made with locally milled cornmeal, sweet onions, and buttermilk, then fried crisp. Shredded cabbage and carrots are folded into a sweet cream dressing with vinegar and fresh-cracked pepper. Slow-simmered baked beans layered with smoky bacon, sweet peaches, and fire-roasted red peppers in a rich brown sugar and molasses sauce with a hint of tangy spice. For dessert, Individual Lemon Cream Pies or Key Lime Pies made in-house, topped with freshly whipped cream.

Because the venue is small, ticket sales will be limited and likely sell out quickly. Camping is available at Holly River State Park. For more information, please contact Holly River State Park at (304) 493-6353.