About Eat Drink RI
Created in 2010 by David Dadekian, Eat Drink RI (EDRI) is one of the top media, marketing and event production companies in the region for all things culinary. In addition to the annual Eat Drink RI Festival, now heading into its 9th year, EDRI produces a variety of dinner series, offers the widest free events calendar and job listings, covers local news about chefs, restaurants, and products, and works with a variety of non-profit organizations that support the local food sector. EDRI also produces several markets around the state, including weekly seasonal farmers markets in Smithfield, the Blackbird Farm Harvest Festival and the annual PVD Winter Lights Market in Kennedy Plaza with the City of Providence.
About David Dadekian
Dadekian has been called “RI’s unofficial Food Laureate” by Philip Eil of the Providence Phoenix, “mastermind of the food news website and event-organizing operation, Eat Drink RI, who seems to know every chef, restaurant, farm stand, and manufactured food product within state lines.” Dadekian created Eat Drink RI (EDRI) in 2010 and over the past ten years eatdrinkri.com has grown to be one of the top media, marketing and event production companies in the region for all things culinary. In addition to the annual 4-day Eat Drink RI Festival, EDRI produces a variety of dinner series, offers the widest free events calendar and job listings, covers local news about chefs, restaurants, and products, and works with a variety of non-profit organizations that support the local food sector. EDRI also produces several markets around the state, including weekly seasonal farmers markets in Smithfield, the Blackbird Farm Harvest Festival and the annual PVD Winter Lights Market in Kennedy Plaza with the City of Providence.
Dadekian is a RI Foundation 2014 Innovation Fellow for his plan to build the Eat Drink RI Central Market which he is continuing to develop. Dadekian has been active on the state Local Agriculture & Seafood Act grant committee since its inception in 2014. He has participated in policy work with Commerce RI, supporting statewide tourism funding and the Supply RI local procurement program, along with advocating for DEM funding, healthy schools, food truck regulation, food waste & recovery, and food insecurity solutions. Dadekian also produced the Open House at the State House tasting event for both the 2015 and 2019 inaugurations of Governor Raimondo, and is a member of Congressman Langevin’s Food First Advisory Committee.
Dadekian began his work in local food at Blackbird Farm in Smithfield, which he continues to promote and advocate for to this day. Dadekian volunteered with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council since it’s inception in 2011 and formally joined the Council as a member in 2013. Initially chairing the Outreach and Communications Committee, he served as the Food Policy Council’s Chairperson in 2017.
For fifteen years prior to creating Eat Drink RI, Dadekian worked in the entertainment industry, first with News Corp. companies TV Guide, Fox News and Fox Sports where he helped to create and manage the first web sites for those properties along with the first X-Files and Major League Baseball sites. He pioneered the use of streaming video, now commonplace on most devices around the world. After leaving News Corp. Dadekian founded and ran soundsight, a digital media consulting firm. Dadekian helped to start up several online entertainment properties in New York and Los Angeles and his clients included Sony, Viacom and the National Hockey League. He also served as Chief Technology Officer of Nibblebox, an entertainment production and talent incubation company. Dadekian holds a BFA from New York University in Film and Television. He lives in Coventry with his wife Brenda and their two daughters.
9 comments
How do you get on the list to participate in the farmers’ markets you sponsor?
thanks
Paula
Please send an email to market@eatdrinkri.com and we’ll add you to the list for whatever’s next. Thanks!
Hello,
I’m reaching out to you because I was just trying to purchase tickets for tomorrow’s RI Harvest BBQ event and was having a little difficulty doing so. I’m looking to buy 2 tickets for my girlfriend and myself but on Eventbrite it’s only allowing me to purchase 1 ticket or asks me to get put on a waiting list. Is there a number I can call to speak to someone by chance? Or is this event sold out at this time?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
Preston Bailey
I bought tiickets to the Grand Tasting and have my receipt, how do I get the actual tickets or is the receipt my ticket?
That receipt can be used. We always have a guest list at the door so your name will be on that registration list. Thank you!
Is the Grand Tasting Event an all ages event or do you have to be 21+ to attend
Ages 12 and under are allowed and wouldn’t need a ticket purchase. We ask any children not be unattended and adults be aware of what’s being served in the room.
Costintino Pizza is the worst. Try Federal Hill Pizza in Warren. Just like Naples, Italy
I’m guessing you read my review in Providence Monthly. I doubt I will return to Costantino’s. I also write for The Bay so I will suggest a review of Federal Hill to them. Thanks.