A Taste of Appalachia, Past and Present
March 26, 2026
6-9 p.m.
Maroon Door
418 N Main St.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Thank you for your interest. Tickets have sold out for this event.
Join us at The Maroon Door on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 6 p.m. for a fun evening exploring the rich flavors and stories of Appalachia. Whether you're curious about old traditions or want to taste some modern twists, this event is perfect for food lovers and history buffs alike. With chefs Travis Milton (James Beard Award Finalist), Justin Bailey, Stephen Doyle and Brittany Mehrkens Cooper (Maroon Door) come hungry and ready to dive into a unique experience that celebrates the heart of Appalachia! The meal highlights mid-twentieth-century ingredients, exploring how locally sourced, seasonally appropriate, and historically rooted recipes have joined industrially produced foods in Appalachian kitchens. Guests will be treated to personal and historical contextualizations of dishes served, with a souvenir menu that celebrates this combination of memory and innovation/creativity. With commentary from Virginia Tech food studies scholars, folklorists, and archivists. Tickets are $50 for the public and $20 for Virginia Tech students (graduate and undergraduate) and include a $5 gift to the Food Studies Program. Proceeds will, in part, support the Food Studies Program Fund. See menu details at tinyurl.com/VTDinner. An effort will be made to accommodate dietary restrictions, but with some dishes it will not be possible.
Please contact Anna Zeide, zeide@vt.edu, with any questions.