Courtesy photo

Name: Mike “Keno” Snyder

Age: 51

Home: Roanoke

Occupation: Head brewer for Roanoke Railhouse Brewery

Nominated by: Friend and neighbor Connie Stevens, who wrote: “He’s a fantastic cook — cooks healthy, delicious food for his family most every night. He’s even been known to spend days making the hard-core version of beef bourguignon. And the best part — he shares with his neighbors! In the summer, he makes corn cakes that will make you cry; in the fall, it’s pizza on the grill. You can smell it for a block.”

Why I love cooking: I began cooking at an early age and was most definitely influenced by my mother’s enthusiasm for growing veggies.

I have vivid memories of standing in our garden eating spring peas and nasturtiums that she would coax me into trying. Watching her in the kitchen boiling fresh ears of corn or canning tomatoes in late summer left an indelible impression.

To continue reading about Mike, click here.

Check out Mike’s recipe for corn cakes here.