Of the nearly 1.9 million people in the Mountain State, just imagine being charged with selecting only 53 women for the title of “Wonder Women.”  West Virginia Focus Magazine took on the task and one Bridgeport resident was selected because of her innovation, leadership, and ability to excel in her field.  Provence Market  Café Owner and Executive Chef Anne Hart has proven to be worthy of the “Wonder Woman” title, serving as a role model in the community, the state and the restaurant industry.

 

Most recently, Hart served as a judge for the Cast Iron Cook-Off Competition, but prior to that, she was the one racking up the awards and accolades.  Originally wanting to be a pathologist, Hart moved to Atlanta after completing her biology degree at WVU.  While working part-time in a restaurant, she learned she had strong skills in training, development and management.  In order to advance into a management position in the front of the house, one must first learn all about the back of the house through months of training.  “That’s when I learned I had a good palate,” said Hart.

 

That palate has now earned her and her team the titles of “Grand Champion,” “Best of Show,” Best Single Course,” and numerous additional awards in the Cast Iron Cook-Off from 2005-2010.  In 2012, the Provence Market team went head-to-head with other Cast Iron Cook-Off winners in a “Throw Down” at the Greenbrier Resort, where they emerged as the champions. 

 

Hart also was part of Team West Virginia, who battled against teams from other states, with her dish deemed “Best in Show.”  Provence Market has achieved the Award for Excellence by Wine Spectator and was honored as the New Business of the Year in 2003 by the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce.  The State Journal included the restaurant among it’s “55 Good Things About West Virginia” and Hart was also featured on “Hot Plate,” a weekly television spot. 

 

Hart is a member of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs and was selected as one of WV Executive’s Young Guns in 2002.  She has been named Citizen of the Month in Shinnston News and served as Chairman of the Board for Harrison County Chamber of Commerce. As a graduate of Leadership Bridgeport, Hart has served on several local committees and been part of the boards of directors.  She was one of the founders of the Bridgeport Farmers Market and served on the Buy Fresh/Buy Local West Virginia steering committee.  Additionally, she is also on the Board of Directors for the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans.

 

Known both nationally and internationally, Hart has been a featured chef in France, Washington D.C.’s Ovarian Cancer Gala, and was included in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America and Best Chefs of the South.  Making an indelible mark in the restaurant industry and putting Bridgeport in the spotlight with her has allowed Hart to embrace that palate which she discovered in her early career.  “I am so excited to be counted among so many influential and accomplished women in WV Focus Magazine and it is an honor to be chosen as a representative,” Hart said. 

 

Editor's Note: Photo courtesy of the Provence Market Facebook page.