Gourmet Central

"The greatest use of life is to use it so that it outlives you. 
Live and give of yourself to a cause greater than yourself."

In Memory of "Chef Harv" Harvey Christie
1964 - 2006

Click here to watch WV Public Broadcasting's tribute video for Chef Harv

Harvey “Chef Harv” Christie, host of “West Virginia Cooks” on PBS and owner of Gourmet Central, was killed Friday morning, December 1, after his van ran off W.Va. 28. He was 42.

Carla Witt Ford, co-creator of Harv’s website with West Virginia Gourmet Foods, has been a friend of Christie for years.  ”He was always promoting West Virginia,” she said. “It was always for the farmer, always for the small orchard. It was always for the local person, never for the big corporation.”

Chef Dale Hawkins, executive chef at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke WV, said Christie was selfless and made many people laugh. “He had such a zest for life,” Hawkins said. “He lived hard and played hard. Christie was instrumental in bringing the state’s and region’s farmers and chefs together.”

Chef Tim Urbanic of Café Cimino in Sutton said Christie could make any room or any dish more exciting. “He had the genius to be able to embellish the smallest thing and make it great,” he said.

Urbanic, who uses his Chubby Chuck’s Hillbilly Holler’n Hot Sauce in some of his dishes, said Christie had a knack for making a dish prepared for 750 people taste like it was made just for one person.

Harvey is survived by his wife Cristy, his son Gabe, daughter Katie and all of his friends and family that will miss him tremendously.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send donations to the following:

• The Gabriel Christie Special Fund
  c/o First National Bank
  PO Box 1037
  Romney, WV 26757

-quotes courtesy of The Charleston Gazette

Gourmet Central in Romney, WV is home to many specialty foods. All products are open kettle cooked in small batches to provide you with "just like Grandma made" taste. Give us a call or come and visit, tours given daily! If you would like to make reservations for a tour and/or cooking demonstration, or if you are interested in our catering service, please call Cristy Christie at (304) 822-6047.

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Chef Harv's Hot Pepper Jelly Wins Major International Food Industry Award - (November 1, 2002) Results of the 2003 Scovie Awards, one of the top international food competitions, have just been announced, and Romney, West Virginia based Gourmet Central is among the winners. Click here to read more

View unique recipes using Gourmet Central products!