Local chef opens kitchen at Community Garden Market
Chef Scott Anderson, one of owners of the Community Garden Market of Shepherdstown (formerly Morgan Grove Market) is passionate about being in and of the community by providing healthy, organic and food as locally sourced as possible to the Shepherdstown community.
“I wanted to do more community work-tie everybody together through what we’re doing with an organic kind of concept. I’ve always wanted to do something like this for years,” said Anderson. “It’s a work in progress. We want to make sure we had unique ideas and concepts.”
Anderson, who describes himself as a “chief cook and bottle washer”, has varied backgrounds of study, which all collide nicely in the newly opened kitchen of the CGM, including a bachelor’s degree in History, an associates in Hotel/Restaurant Management and a continuing education degree with Culinary Institutes of America-Hyde park.
Anderson doles out 11 different generously portioned sandwiches, many of which are named after Civil War generals. The General Lee is made with artisan oat bread, smoked turkey, aged cheddar, county bacon, sliced apple and a lemon-garlic aioli.
However, it’s not just Civil War folk who secure a spot on the menu. Anderson gives a nod to Shepherdstown’s mayor, Jim Auxer with a sandwich named “The Auxer Special”, loaded with smoked beef brisket, aged caraway brick cheese, bread and butter pickles and hog sauce on multigrain ciabatta bread.
Helping his mom in the kitchen as a child is where Anderson’s love of food and cooking began to take shape.
“My mom has been a blessing in my life-just giving me the background and opportunity in doing all these kind of things,” said Anderson. ” I owe my start to her because she let me get into the kitchen early on. I learned from her and my grandmother and my great grandmother. She’s (mom) my biggest supporter, along with my father, just making sure everything is taken care of. They go around and try to get people to come here to eat my sandwiches. Family is important and that’s why I look at this (business) as a community family.”
Starting as a part time caterer with Shepherd in 1985 and working his way up to assistant food service director of Shepherd U’s dining program, Anderson has been steeped in educating the local community for years. Anderson is no longer cooking at Shepherd, focusing on the CGM instead, but he is still an adjunct professor there, teaching history and cooking classes. Additionally, he writes a monthly Sunday food column for the Herald Mail, teaches a cooking class at Covenant Church for single moms and widows and he goes to Shepherdstown Elementary as often as can to teach kids about food and let them try new things.
The CGM just opened its kitchen in Jan. of this year, but Anderson has a big vision for its future with plans down the pike for an expanded menu, cooking classes, outdoor seating, catering and a weekly artisan market.
Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Community Garden Market is located at 207 S. Princess St., and in addition to Chef Anderson’s menu, the market offers fresh produce, organic and all natural pantry staples, meats, cheeses, drinks and other products. Call ahead for orders, 304-870-4230 and look for The Community Garden Market on Facebook.