Experience Brunswick Stew like you never have before"

Brunswick County, VA
"The Original Home of Brunswick Stew"

 According to the story, Mr. Jimmy Matthews, a chef working for Dr. Creed Haskins, created the first known Brunswick Stew in Brunswick County, Virginia, along the banks of the Nottoway River during a hunting expedition in 1828. Remarkably, the original recipe featured squirrel, butter, onions, stale bread, and seasonings. The stew quickly garnered acclaim for its unique flavor. Over the years, Jimmy's Brunswick Stew recipe has been passed down through generations and has undergone various adaptations. In contemporary versions, chicken has largely replaced squirrel, and an assortment of vegetables has been introduced. While some variations of Brunswick Stew lean towards a spicy profile, others cater to those who prefer a sweeter taste.
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Brunswick Stew Tour Launch
The Brunswick Stew Tour commenced with an exciting kickoff ceremony at the Brunswick Byways Visitor Center on February 22, 2020. This date holds special significance, as it marks the anniversary when the Virginia General Assembly recognized Brunswick County as the birthplace of Brunswick Stew in 1988, making it the perfect occasion to launch the tour.

The Brunswick Stew Tour serves as an innovative tourism marketing initiative designed to draw visitors to Brunswick County while celebrating our renowned, delectable stew. This inclusive tour showcases the stew from various perspectives, with strong support from local businesses committed to its promotion.
​​Meet Stewie.
​Meet Stewie, who made a grand debut at the Brunswick Stew Tour kickoff! Stewie, the ultimate Brunswick Stew ambassador, is your trusty guide through this delicious journey. With a brain full of stew-savvy, Stewie knows that the crème de la crème of Brunswick Stew is right here in its birthplace, Brunswick County, VA. Bon appétit!
Brunswick Stew Tour Locations 

​ Browntown Farms- Seasonal Fresh Vegetables for Brunswick Stew  
Sand Dollar Sea Planes- Take the Brunswick Stew Tour from the sky with Sand Dollar Seaplanes. Experience the thrill of seaplane flight from the waters of Beautiful Lake Gaston over the tranquil countryside of Brunswick County. Flexible hours call to schedule your flight today!                         
Dot’s Country Store -serving warm delicious homemade Brunswick Stew on Friday’s and Saturday’s to sit down and enjoy in their inviting county store atmosphere, Dot’s also stocks frozen Brunswick Stew to take home and enjoy any time.
  • Business Hours: Monday-Saturday 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  •  Facebook: Dot’s Country Store
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The Kennon House- Brunswick Stew is a staple menu item here, visit the Kennon House, a historic landmark near Lake Gaston in Valentines, VA to enjoy an outstanding dining experience in a historic setting
  • Business Hours: Thursday - Saturday 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (seating)
    • Sunday Lunch Buffet: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (seating), Not Open on Wednesday 
  • Website: http://kennonhouse.com/
  • Facebook: Kennon House

The Kitchen Table- Awarding Winning Brunswick Stew can be found here by the local Brunswick Stew Cookoff World Champion from the Taste of Brunswick held every second Saturday in October.
  • Business Hours: Open 7 Days a week Sunday-Saturday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
  • Facebook: The Kitchen Table 
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Lake Gaston Lodges - Disconnect and unwind. Take time to enjoy simpler times in life and reserve a stay in a fully furnished cabin on Lake Gaston. Build a campfire, where you can cook your very own homemade Brunswick Stew followed by delicious smores with friends and family. A Brunswick Stew recipe is provided with reservations and rental information.
  • Call to make a reservation.
  • ​Website: www.lakegastonlodges.com  

​Brunswick Chamber of Commerce- Grab a "Get a Taste of Brunswick" signature bowl or coffee cup from our local chamber office and gain information about other activities and events happening around Brunswick County, VA. 
Brunswick Byways Visitor Center- Begin the Brunswick Stew Tour here, the central hub for all information pertaining to the tour, history of Brunswick Stew, and it’s official Brunswick Stew Gift Shop 
Taste of Brunswick Festival- World Champion Brunswick Stew Cookoff occurs annually on the second Saturday in October. Over 30 different Stew masters and Stew Crews compete for the top prize of Brunswick Stew World Champion. ​
Brunswick Stew Day at the General Assembly- Occurs every 4th Wednesday in January, the Brunswick Stew Cookoff World Champion prepares our historic Brunswick Stew for the General Assembly at the Capitol in Richmond, VA.
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Brunswick County: A Hub for Brunswick Stew Lovers
Brunswick County isn't the only place that adores Brunswick stew! Virginia also embraces its love for this dish. Over 50 years ago, the Virginia Tourism Corporation introduced the iconic slogan and logo, “Virginia is for Lovers.” Today, this logo is creatively used to celebrate various forms of love throughout the state. Our love story continues to flourish, and we are thrilled to be a part of it! Our exclusive logo was unveiled on February 22, 2020, during the official launch celebration of the Brunswick Stew Tour.

You can find unique “Virginia is for Brunswick Stew Lovers” merchandise at the Brunswick Byways Visitor Center.
​Explore our collection, which includes: T-shirts, Hats, Mugs, Aprons, and much more!

Brunswick Stew Tour
​Itineraries

Weekend Trip
​
Day One

  • Arrive at the Brunswick Byways Visitor Center mid-morning, the central hub of the Brunswick Stew Tour. This is the perfect place to start the tour by gaining information about the Brunswick Stew Tour, stew history, and visit our Brunswick stew shop for exclusive stew merchandise.

  • After all that talk about our delicious Brunswick stew, you certainly will be hungry! We suggest stopping for lunch to enjoy an award-winning bowl of Brunswick Stew at one of the following locations: The Club House Grill, The Kitchen Table or Dot's Country Store.  

  • Next, head over to Gasburg, VA and visit Steve with Sand Dollar Sea Planes. Take the Brunswick Stew Tour from the sky with Steve, while experiencing the thrill of a seaplane flight from the waters of beautiful Lake Gaston over the tranquil countryside of Brunswick County.

  • Once you've taken in the sights of Lake Gaston, you will also want to check out its only waterfront bar in Brunswick County, the Shady Shack Grill and Flip Flop Bar to enjoy a tasty drink called the "Stew Master" and enjoy their live entertainment lineup.  

  • Now that you have relaxed while enjoying a refreshing "Stew Master" you may be already thinking of dinner. The Kennon House is a perfect option where history meets fine dining. You will find Brunswick stew here as well. It's a staple on their house menu.

  • Enjoy a unique stay at the Brunswick Mineral Springs Bed and Breakfast located in Lawrenceville, VA. There is a variety of suites to choose from including a delicious breakfast served in the morning.

Day Two

  • Take in a true farm experience, as you rise with the chickens. Visit Browntown Farms of Warfield, VA to pick fresh vegetables straight from the garden to create your very own Brunswick Stew with their farm fresh ingredients.

  •  ​Enjoy the sunshine and Brunswick countryside on the Tobacco Heritage Trail or take a boat ride on Lake Gaston.  
​​Day Trip

  • Arrive at the Brunswick Byways Visitor Center mid-morning, the central hub of the Brunswick Stew Tour. This is the perfect place to start the tour by gaining information about the Brunswick Stew Tour, stew history, and visit our Brunswick stew shop for exclusive stew merchandise.
 
  • Stroll into historic downtown Lawrenceville to explore the regal setting and stop by the Tobacco Heritage Trail Park to enjoy nature's beauty. The trail spans almost 13 miles across Brunswick County.
 
  • After exploring you will have worked up an appetite! We suggest stopping for lunch to enjoy an award-winning bowl of Brunswick Stew at one of the following locations: The Club House Grill, The Kitchen Table, or Dot's Country Store.
 
  • After lunch, head over to Gasburg, VA and visit Steve with Sand Dollar Sea Planes. Take the Brunswick Stew Tour from the sky with Steve, while experiencing the thrill of a seaplane flight from the waters of beautiful Lake Gaston over the tranquil country side of Brunswick County.
 
  • Kayaking the Meherrin River, a Virginia Designated Scenic Designated River or paddling across Great Creek Watershed also known as County Park is a great way to spend the afternoon.
 
  • You may also want to check out Lake Gaston's only waterfront bar in Brunswick County, the Shady Shack Grill and Flip Flop Bar to enjoy a tasty drink called the "Stew Master" and enjoy their live entertainment lineup.

Brunswick Stew Day

​Every fourth Wednesday in January, a.k.a. “Brunswick Stew Day,” legislators enjoy the aroma of Brunswick Stew on the streets at the Capitol. The General Assembly establised Brunswick Stew Day in 2002 by passing House Join Resolution 2. The Resolution states Brunswick County as the original home of the "gastronomic miracle known as Brunswick Stew" that was created in here in Brunswick County in 1828.
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Brunswick Stew Day 2019

Did you know?

Most Brunswick Stew cooks or "stew crews" use a wooden paddle, similar to an oar or a boating paddle to stir the stew in their large cast iron pots.
After several hours of cooking, the Brunswick Stew begins to thicken.
When the stew becomes thick enough for the paddle to stand alone in the center of the pot this is a signifier that the "stew is ready to enjoy!"
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