Hop on the Gravy Train with the 7th Annual Gravy Bowl A Contest that will Stick to your Bones

Hop on the Gravy Train with the 7th Annual Gravy Bowl A Contest that will Stick to your Bones

Gideon Thompson

The Ashland Beacon

Gravy is steeped in culture dating back to ancient Greece, where it was produced using drippings from the cooking of meats. The drippings, referred to as juice or jus, have been tied to ancient Rome, where they were then used in cooking and as wine additives. By the time of its arrival in medieval France, gravy had begun to make way for sprucing up dishes by thickening sauces and being used in bouillon production. By the 1300s, just around 100 years before the end of the medieval era, gravy had ventured into Britain, where it was served at many tables with herbs and other flavoring enhancements found in local gardens.

From the Mediterranean region to Europe and into the Americas, gravy has become a staple in American cuisine, finding its way into kitchens across the United States. Introduced to the U.S. around the 1880s, gravy was a gift from Italian cuisine, making way for what is now a widely consumed dish across the country. Gaining popularity through the Appalachian region and becoming one of our daily meals, gravy began to spread across the country into western civilization, taking on many forms as it was adopted by settlers and shared across tables everywhere. Beginning as a sauce-thickening additive in ragu, gravy now takes on many forms, as it is found next to different types of roasts, such as turkey, beef, or pork, and even fish. Whether eaten as a side, sauce, or main entrée, gravy is certainly a dish that will complement a litany of dishes.

Now a great part of American dining experiences, gravy can be found in stores, restaurants, and homes from coast to coast. Being a great part of Kentucky and Appalachian cultural cuisine, we can nearly assure that gravy will be on the menu in most places we frequent. With selections ranging from white gravy made of milk, flour, and black pepper to sausage or sawmill gravy, and even red-eye gravy made of pork drippings and coffee, there are several choices to be made when pairing or preparing the delightful dish.

Grab the bowls, forks, and bibs, as it is time again for the 7th Annual Gravy Bowl! Whether you’re looking for a great time trying out some fine gravy or looking to show off your gravy-making skills, this event is intended to satiate even the pickiest of tasters. The Gravy Bowl contest is scheduled for Saturday, February 21st, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Ashland Transportation Center, located at 99 15th St., Ashland, KY, making it a perfect brunch activity that will showcase some of the best gravy in the area.

Registration is required for the event and can be made on the Visit Ashland KY Facebook page by following the link located in the event advertisement. Registration for competitors has a deadline of January 30th, 2026, and may be completed by filling out the documents attached to the link. If you or anyone you know is looking to share recipes and treasured gravy dishes with the Ashland area, this is your chance. With cold weather and the season for stews and gravy upon us, the 7th Annual Gravy Bowl is an event with the heaviest of meals intended.