Published: March 21, 2008 12:20 pm         

Smokey Valley hits national TV

Enjoying breakfast at a local truck stop put one Morehead woman and her children on a national television food program and a chance to meet Guy Fieri, the host of The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Crissy Stewart of Clearfield was at the Smokey Valley Truck Stop off I-64 in Olive Hill recently when The Food Network stopped by to film a show about down home cookin’ and dishes that really taste like what mama made.

“It was about 10 a.m. when the show’s crew was filming,” Stewart said. “Guy did talk with me about the coconut cream pie, the hotdog sauce and the biscuits and gravy. He asked how long we had been coming to the Smokey and what were our favorite dishes. I just think its great when a place located in a small town is recognized for serving good food. This truck stop has been around for many years and is a favorite place for locals and for truck drivers.”

Stewart’s mother, Jean Oney has worked at the restaurant for nearly 20 years as a cook and waitress and said being part of the program was “exciting.”

“We are really shocked because they filmed me and Lou Ison working the grill first,” Oney commented. “We were really busy that day and Guy helped us cook. He was so very nice and pleasant to be around. We just had the best time ever.”

Owner of the facility Juanita Flannery said she was honored to have her truck stop chosen for the show and was really impressed with how accommodating Fieri and his crew were.

“It’s very exciting and an honor to be on the program,” Flannery said. “At first I didn’t pursue it too much because I really didn’t think they’d call back to do the show. We don’t have gimmicks here, and I just thought they’d choose another facility. But they called back and wanted to do it. And what a great job they did. Guy, his crew and his producer were just wonderful to all of us. Guy was enjoyable to work with. All I can say is he is a really nice guy … It made me very proud of the girls when Guy told me of how impressed he was with Jean and Lou and the other workers.”

Fieri began his career in food service at age 10, selling soft pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle cart that he built with this father.

With his bleached-blonde hair, skateboarder’s shorts and numerous tattoos, Fieri entered Food Network’s 2006 contest “The Next Food Network Star and was selected from more than 10,000 entrants as one of the eight finalists.

He quickly became a fan favorite and was named the show’s winner. His new Food Network Show, Guy’s Big Bit, premiered in June 2006.

The episode featuring the Smokey Valley Truck Stop, “Like Mama Made,” will air at 11:30 p.m., Sunday, March 23; 2:30 a.m. Monday, March 24; 9 p.m. Friday, March 28; midnight on Saturday, March 29; 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30; 1 p.m. Monday, March 31 and noon on April 11.