Gallery: 2023 Gordonsville Fried Chicken Festival
The town of Gordonsville held its famous fried chicken festival Saturday, Oct. 7, continuing the tradition of honoring the “waiter-carriers” of the late 18th and early 19th centuries who satiated peckish train passengers with chicken, pies and other delicacies in the historic railroad town.
The day kicked off at 10 a.m. with the annual Chicken Run 5K and Kids Chicken Run 1K. Afterward, attendees enjoyed food, shopping and a wine garden, culminating in the highlight of the festival, the fried chicken contest and pie bake-off.
Pies were up first at the judging table, with first-place winners being selected in three categories: cream, fruit and custard. Sonia Uray took home the blue ribbon in the cream category for her chocolate praline pie, and winners in the remaining categories included Rainah Gregory for her “banoffee” pie and Jean Wine with a cranberry cheese crumb pie.
Uray, a first-time contestant and home baker, said she was encouraged by neighbors and friends to take part in the bake-off.
“Every time I bake something, they say I need to put it in a contest, so I figured I’d try it out. See you next year, maybe!” she teased joyfully after her win.
In the fried chicken contest, entries were judged for overall taste, crispiness, tenderness, seasoning and, in the event of a tie, presentation. Charles Thomas, who served as a judge in 2023 after spending five years on the coveted judging wait list, said it was worth every minute, calling his spot at the table the “best seat ever.”
“You get to see all the festivities and people just keep bringing you food,” he said.
In the end, Woodbridge-based Southern Taste prevailed with the best chicken, with Taste of Hope coming in second. It was the first time Southern Taste had entered the contest after four years working at the fair as a vendor, and although co-owner Patrick Thomas couldn’t give away all of their secrets, he did divulge one important ingredient.
“Our chicken is made with love, and we stand behind it all the way,” he shared.
Despite a few last-minute setbacks, the handful of remaining food vendors at the festival, including Southern Taste, worked tirelessly throughout the day to keep customers happy and full. With a line of hungry festivalgoers to feed, Thomas couldn’t talk long, and he soon got back to doing what Southern Taste has done for years at the festival, trophy or not — making great chicken.
To see photos from the 2023 Gordonsville Fried Chicken Festival, view the slideshow above.
RELATED: G’ville Fried Chicken Festival to Take Place Oct. 7