Charleston-based Chef Paul Smith owns and operates The Pitch in Dunbar, 1010 Bridge in the South Hills neighborhood in Charleston, Ellen s Ice Cream in downtown Charleston, and is a partner in the Humble Tomato in Lewisburg. He was a 2023 finalist for the Best Chef category for the southeast region of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, manages the Eat Local WV Facebook group and purchased "Taste West Virginia" magazine. But most importantly, Smith has overcome alcohol addiction and has been sober for more than four years. For everything Smith has done for himself and for the Mountain State, he s been named the 2023 Gazette-Mail West Virginian of the Year.