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News Bites: RI Craft Beer Week 2023 / Little City Thrifty Vintage Market Returns / RI Red Food Tours PVD Valley / Hope & Main Makers Marketplace / Newport Restaurant Group Donations

by David Dadekian February 17, 2023

written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

RI Craft Beer Week 2023 is March 3-12

Get thirsty for some local fun! The second annual RI Craft Beer Week will be from March 3rd to March 12th 2023. This celebration of RI’s beer manufacturers will feature happenings at Rhode Island breweries as well as events featuring Rhody beers at bars, restaurants, liquor stores and more. Get ready for a “Saugy Showdown” hot dog eating contest at Linesider Brewing. Dust off your thinking caps for “Name Your Beer” Trivia at Narragansett Brewing; the winning team will get to name a new beer! Musical Bingo, anyone? Smug Brewing will host that fun twice during the RI Craft Beer Week! And the “Rhode Map Challenge” contest will be happening all week long. Visiting all the breweries this week could win you beer festival tickets!

There are now 36 breweries in the RI Brewers Guild, compared to only five a decade ago! At least two more are set to open in 2023. Each of these small businesses employs Rhode Islanders, adds local culture, and boosts tourism in the Ocean State. And what they brew is delicious! Let’s celebrate them!

Kyle Toste, Assistant Brewer at Linesider Brewing in East Greenwich is enthusiastic about the week. “I got into the professional craft brewing industry here in Rhode Island about three years ago and have always loved the camaraderie among all the breweries. RI Craft Beer Week is a celebration of breweries in our state and an opportunity for us to celebrate with our patrons in fun and unique ways. I love RI Craft Beer Week because it gives us a chance to create events that show a different side of us than just being ‘brewers’ like our Saugy Eating Contest at Linesider or an Industry Karaoke Contest at Narragansett and SO MANY MORE!”

One of the more unique features of RI Craft Beer Week is the “Rhode Map Challenge”. Utilizing the RI Brewers Guild Passport App on your smartphone, craft beer enthusiasts can check into and post photos of their beer from as many RI Breweries as they can that week. The RI Brewers Guild wants to be clear that this should only be attempted with the help of a designated driver. Prizes will be awarded to the top five fans including two tickets to the Newport Beer Festival, two tickets to the Ocean State Beer Festival, two entries to the Craft Brew Races Newport, and more! Last year more than a thousand people checked in at RI Breweries during RI Craft Beer Week. Be part of this year’s fun!

“One of the many benefits of living in Rhode Island is that you can travel basically anywhere in the entire state in under an hour. With the help of a dedicated designated driver, fans can visit all or at least most of our members during RI Craft Beer Week! Last year two diehards made it to them all!” said Gary Richardson, Executive Director of the RI Brewers Guild.

RI Craft Beer Week stickers and coasters will be available at some locations during this week and all events will be listed on the RI Brewers Guild website by February 24th. For more information about RI Craft Beer Week and to find events near you visit: https://www.ribrewersguild.org/ri-craft-beer-week/

“RI Craft Beer Week is fun because it recognizes the hard work and creativity of small local businesses,” states Rob DaRosa, co-owner and brewer at Smug Brewing Company in Pawtucket. “That is something worth celebrating!”

Brooke Cure, Community Manager at Narragansett Brewery states, “It’s nice to have a week that supports all the brewers in RI and to get creative hosting some fun events for the people who support us!” Gregory Martell, co-owner of Rejects Beer Co. in Middletown commented, “March signifies the very beginning of being able to enjoy RI beers outside on the patio again. We are so ready for that! And Craft Beer Week is a great reason for us to travel to see our friends breweries…even if it means crossing bridges!”

Little City Thrifty Vintage Market Returns to WaterFire Arts Center

March 4 & 5, 2023
Noon to 6pm (11am Early Buying Hour)
WaterFire Arts Center
475 Valley Street, Providence, RI

Recently named “Rhode Island’s Best Flea Market” by national publication Domino Magazine, Little City Thrifty is a curated weekend of indoor vintage and antiques shopping, with items available for purchase at all price points. From high-end designer vintage clothing to out-of-print vinyl records to art and collectibles, you’ll find it all at WaterFire Arts Center on March 4th & 5th.

Little City Thrifty’s March event will bring vintage lovers and dealers from far and wide, and will feature over 90 booths of vintage and pre-loved clothing, books, barware, records, art, ephemera, furniture, home decor, and much more. The lineup includes local favorites, as well as well-known vendors from 8 other states, with businesses coming from as far as Indiana.

“Going into our third Little City Thrifty Vintage Market, it’s been incredible to see how passionately the vintage-loving community here in New England has supported our event and all of the small businesses that vend with us,” says co-founder of Little City Thrifty, BJ Mansuetti. His wife and business partner, Robin Dionne, adds, “As a lifelong vintage collector and seller, I love to see the vintage community breathe new life into pre-loved items. The venn diagram of fashion, sustainability, and community building at Little City Thrifty makes for a very special weekend.”

Entry includes a complimentary small beverage, provided by participating beverage sponsors. Attendees will have their choice of a small cocktail from Bully Boy Distillers, a small beer from either Rejects Beer Co. or Trinity Brewhouse, a small hot coffee from New Harvest Coffee Roasters, or a glass bottle of Topo Chico sparkling mineral water.

General Admission tickets are $8 in advance and may be available for $10 at the door, if the event does not sell out. “Early Buying Hour” tickets are also available but are very limited. For $15, these tickets allow for entry a full hour before the event starts, and they’re perfect for those who want some extra elbow-room while shopping and to get a first look at the vendors’ collections and rare items.

For a full list of vendors and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.littlecitythrifty.com.

Rhode Island Red Food Tours Announces the PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour

Explore Providence’s repurposed industrial corridor on a winter tour that will introduce you to local foodpreneurs, brewers and distillers.

Rhode Island Red Food Tours is excited to announce the launch of the PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour, kicking off this Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 11 a.m. The tour will commence each Saturday at 11 a.m. thereafter through April 1st.

Focusing on foodpreneurs, makers, brewers and distillers within the inclusive Valley neighborhood in northwestern Providence, tour guests will learn more about how this former industrial corridor was transformed into a sprouting food and arts hub and will be introduced to small batch craft food products made in Rhode Island, as well as the people who are committed to primarily utilizing sustainable local and regional ingredient sources.

With a fascinating history and strong sense of community, the Valley neighborhood continues to evolve while attracting Rhode Island businesses, artists and culinary artisans, farmers and chefs responsible for building this burgeoning food and drink production scene. PVD Valley Neighborhood Victuals Tour guests will also be introduced to two stalwarts of the neighborhood’s renaissance: The Steel Yard; a historic industrial complex turned non-profit industrial art center and shared studio, and the 60,000-square-foot Farm Fresh Food Hub.

“This is something we’ve been working on making a reality for some time now,” says Paula Silva, Rhode Island Red Food Tour’s founder and Chief Tasting Officer. “The Valley neighborhood is one of the Capital City’s true success stories and has been a magnet for so much talent in the food and drink space—and it keeps getting better. We’re also thrilled to be introducing our first winter tour. Our Newport Neighborhood Tour and Downcity Providence Tour, which take place from springtime through the end of the year, continue to be the top-ranked food tours in the state, but we wanted to offer something during these relatively quieter months that really showcases our exceptional RI makers in the food and drink scene which thrives year-round.”

Details:

Guided tour of the neighborhood and marketplace includes tastings from 8+ local food and drink purveyors.
Tickets cost $79 per person (includes alcohol tastings. Non-alcohol substitutions may be provided if specified when purchasing tickets).
The duration of the tour is 3-3.5 hours and guests can expect to walk approximately half a mile.
Tours operate rain or shine.
Rhode Island Red Food Tour gift certificates are available, can be applied toward any available public Rhode Island Red Food Tour, and do not expire.
Free shopping tote included.

Hope & Main Plants Roots in Downtown Providence Makers Marketplace

Invites Locals to Become Foodieconomists at New Urban Eatery Showcasing Local Foods and Global Flavors

Seeking to create more equitable access for emerging food-preneurs of all means and backgrounds, Hope & Main, Rhode Island’s first food business incubator, is opening the Makers Marketplace at 100 Westminster Street in the heart of downtown Providence. Hope & Main’s first entry into Rhode Island’s capital city marks the beginning of the next era for the organization which has helped more than 450 food businesses to launch since its inception in 2014.

The Makers Marketplace at 100 Westminster Street will feature dozens of locally made foods and drinks from a diverse member community, many of whom come from the state’s urban core. The space will allow for tasting, sipping and shopping while serving to expose thousands of people who work in the city’s Financial District to the culinary delights curated by Hope & Main’s food-preneurs.

Lisa Raiola, President and Founder of Hope & Main said, “For a new food business, the journey to a retail shelf is full of high hurdles. The opportunity, just a few months into launching your business at Hope & Main, to feature your product at the Downtown Makers Marketplace is a huge advantage for food start-ups. This will help to accelerate new brands into the local marketplace– I think much to the delight of Rhode Island eaters everywhere!”

Hope & Main Makers Market will be open weekdays for breakfast and lunch, offering hand-crafted locally sourced items, grab-and-go foods, a curated selection of Hope & Main members’ products and prepared foods, as well as a coffee, tea and craft beverage bar anchored by (Hope & Main member business) Schastea.

Breakfast and lunch menu items also include tastes of Hope & Main makers. Order up a breakfast bowl and find heaps of hash made with La Arepa Black Beans. Enjoy an H&M Melt and discover Chicamonina Barbacoa seasoning. Magic Bird salsa, Chi Kitchen Kimchi Slaw, Pickily quick pickles, Buns Bakery rolls are also featured in menu offerings.

Products and prepared foods in the Hope & Main Makers Marketplace range from traditional Argentinian baked empanadas from The Perfect Empanada, Orisirisi flavorful gourmet pepper sauce, Hibiscus fruit spreads and sparkling drinks from Kassumay, Basil & Bunny prepared vegan egg salad, Hunky Dory pimento cheese, to Naked Fig Mediterranean hummus, nostalgic chocolate chip cookies from Mariiannas Cookies and Treats, and dozens more locally crafted foods from member businesses.

This unique concept is made possible with support from Papitto Opportunity Connection and Paolino Properties. Both organizations embraced Hope & Main’s mission to create more and equitable access for emerging food-preneurs of all means and backgrounds. Hope & Main estimates 40 percent of its entrepreneurs are people of color.

“Hope & Main plays a vital role in the emerging food economy of Rhode Island,’ said Barbara Papitto, founder and trustee of the Papitto Opportunity Connection. “By bringing its Makers Market alive in downtown Providence, Hope & Main is giving power to food-preneurs of color located in our state’s urban core. This new market provides critical exposure to food businesses at the time when they need it most. The Papitto Opportunity Connection is pleased to support this important work.”

The food sector is one of Rhode Island’s largest sectors for economic output. Launching and supporting local food businesses, particularly in the Providence area has been a focus of Hope & Main as many makers come from the urban core.

“I’m proud to be a supporter of Hope & Main and of the many ‘food entrepreneurs’ that go through their incubator program by providing a place for them to bring their products to market,” said Joseph R. Paolino Jr., CEO and Managing Partner of Paolino Properties. “I was thrilled to partner with the good people at the Papitto Foundation to help make this vision a reality. The Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace will not only be a wonderful asset to our campus at 100 Westminster Street and for the people who come downtown to work every day, but it will be an opportunity to showcase our growing food economy to visitors to our city, train the next generation of hospitality workers, and spark new business development right here in Providence.”

In the coming months, Hope & Main Makers Marketplace will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the Providence community. They plan to host events with guest chefs, maker tastings, pop-ups, and corporate catering.

Newport Restaurant Group Donates $60,750 to Local Nonprofits through 2022 Gift Card Donation Program

$2.00 from every gift card purchase in 2022 was donated to support the fight against food insecurity

Newport Restaurant Group (NRG), an award-winning collection of unique restaurants and hospitality venues located throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, is pleased to announce that it has donated $60,750 to local nonprofits that focus on food insecurity as a result of its annual, year-round gift card program. Through the program, $2.00 from every gift card purchase is donated to area non-profits with a mission toward fighting food insecurity. Since the program’s inception in 2019, more than $150,000 has been distributed to local agencies.

“Every year, all our employee owners and I are grateful to our guests for their continued support of our gift card program,” said Paul O’Reilly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newport Restaurant Group. “Each gift card order throughout the year allows us to continue to support organizations that provide help and hope to those experiencing food insecurity in our region.”

2022 recipients include the RI Community Food Bank, Hope’s Harvest RI, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, and Aquidneck Community Table in Rhode Island and Brookline Food Pantry and The Food Project in Massachusetts.

In addition to the financial support, NRG employee owners volunteer with these organizations throughout the year in a variety of ways, from collecting non-perishable food items for the RI Community Food Bank to preparing and serving dinners at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, to harvesting surplus fruits and vegetables at local farms that are distributed to hunger relief agencies through a partnership with Hope’s Harvest.

The 2023 gift card program is ongoing and gift cards can be purchased at any NRG property or online at www.newportrestaurantgroup.com.

February 17, 2023 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news wine & drinks

News Bites: RI Breweries Christmas & New Year’s Hours / Boat House Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive

by David Dadekian February 17, 2023

written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Rhode Island’s Breweries are open for business this holiday season. We were able to gather some of their holiday hours so you’ll know when to sip and shop!

More information about Rhode Island’s Breweries can be found at RIBrewersGuild.org

wdt_ID	Brewery Name	Christmas Weekend	New Year's Weekend
1	Apponaug Brewing Company	Fri 12/23: 4pm-11pm Sat 12/24: 12pm-6pm Sun 12/25: Closed Mon 12/26: Closed	Fri 12/30:4pm-11pm Sat 12/31: 12pm-6pm Sun 1/1/23: Closed Mon 1/2/23: Closed
2	Coddington Brewing Co.	Fri 12/23: 11-10 Sat 12/24: kitchen 11-3 / bar open till 5 Sun 12/25: closed Mon 12/26: 11 - 9	Fri 12/30: 11-10 Sat 12/31: 11-10 Sun 1/1/23: 11 - 9 Mon 1/2/23 11-9
3	General's Crossing Brewhouse	Fri 12/23: 4p-8p Sat 12/24: 12p-6p Sun 12/25: Closed Mon 12/26: 4p-8p	Fri 12/30: 4-8p Sat 12/31: 12-8p Sun 1/1/23: closed Mon 1/2/23: 4-8p
4	Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island	Fri 12/23: 3-8 Sat 12/24: 12-4 Sun 12/25: Closed Mon 12/26: Closed	Fri 12/30: 3-8 Sat 12/31: 12-4 Sun 1/1/23: Closed Mon 1/2/23: Closed
5	Long Live Beerworks	Fri 12/23: 1–10pm Sat 12/24: 12–10pm Sun 12/25: CLOSED Mon 12/26: 3–10pm	Fri 12/30: 1–10pm Sat 12/31: 12–10pm Sun 1/1/23: CLOSED Mon 1/2/23: 3–10pm
6	Proclamation Ale Company	Fri 12/23: 12pm- 10pm Sat 12/24: 11am- 4pm Sun 12/25: 12pm- 6pm Mon 12/26: Closed	Fri 12/30: 12pm- 10pm Sat 12/31: 12pm- 10pm Sun 1/1/23: 2-6pm Mon 1/2/23: Closed
7	Providence Brewing	Fri 12/23: 4-10 PM Sat 12/24: 11-10 PM Sun 12/25: Closed Mon 12/26: NA	Fri 12/30: 4-10 PM Sat 12/31: 11-6 PM Sun 1/1/23: 11-6 PM Mon 1/2/23 NA
8	Ragged Island Brewing Co.	Fri 12/23: 12-9 Sat 12/24: 12-6 Sun 12/25: closed Mon 12/26: 2-8	Fri 12/30: 12-9 Sat 12/31: 12-6 Sun 1/1/23: 12-7 Mon 1/2/23: 2-8
9	Shaidzon Beer Co.	Fri 12/23: Private Event; Closed to the Public Sat 12/24: 12-5pm Sun 12/25: Closed Mon 12/26:Closed	Fri 12/30: 3-9pm Sat 12/31: 12-8pm Sun 1/1/23: 12-6pm Mon 1/2/23: Closed
10	Six Pack Brewing	Fri 12/23: 4pm - 9pm Sat 12/24: 12pm -5pm Sun 12/25: closed Mon 12/26: closed	Fri 12/30: 4pm - 9pm Sat 12/31: 1pm - 9pm Sun 1/1/23: 12pm - 5pm Mon 1/2/23 closed
11	Taproot Brewing Co.	Fri 12/23: 11am - 8pm Sat 12/24: Retail only 10am - 2pm Sun 12/25: closed Mon 12/26: 11am - 5pm	Fri 12/30: 11am - 8pm Sat 12/31: 11am - 8pm Sun 1/1/23: 11am - 6pm Closed for our Annual Winter Break Jan 2 – 12. Re-open Jan. 13
12	The Guild	Pawtucket: 12/24 - from 12-5pm 12/25 - closed Warren: 12/24 - from 12-6pm 12/25 - closed	Pawtucket: 12/31 - 12 to 10pm 1/1 - 12 to 6pm Warren: 12/31 - 12 to 10pm 1/1 - 12 to 6pm
13	Tilted Barn Brewery	Fri 12/23: 12-8pm Sat 12/24: 1130-330pm Sun 12/25: closed Mon 12/26: closed	Fri 12/30: 12-8pm Sat 12/31: 12-8pm Sun 1/1/23: 12-5pm Mon 1/2/23: closed
14	Twelve Guns Brewing	Fri 12/23: 2-10pm Sat 12/24: 12-4pm Sun 12/25: CLOSED Mon 12/26: CLOSED	Fri 12/30: 2-10pm Sat 12/31: 12-10pm Sun 1/1/23: 12-8pm Mon 1/2/23: CLOSED
	Brewery Name	Christmas Weekend	New Year's Weekend

Boat House Restaurant and Tiverton Police Department Collect Hundreds of Toys for Local Children through Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive

A sampling of the toys collected at the Boat House restaurant during the Tiverton Police Department’s annual Operation Blue Santa toy drive.

The Boat House, located at 227 Schooner Drive in Tiverton, RI, partnered with the Tiverton Police Department on its annual toy drive: Operation Blue Santa. On Tuesday, December 13^th, the Boat House hosted a special event for guests who brought in a new, unwrapped toy or gift to the Newport Restaurant Group property to enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar with a portion of the proceeds going to the toy drive.

“During the holidays, Newport Restaurant Group understands that the needs within our community grow exponentially,” said Louis Capodilupo, General Manager, Boat House. “We are so pleased to partner with the Tiverton Police Department on this initiative once again, and hope that the gifts collected will make a joyful impact on the kids in our community.”

Nearly 75 guests attended the event, and hundreds of toys were collected, including $200 worth of toys donated by Boat House. This is the second year that Boat House participated in Operation Blue Santa.

The Boat House’s parent company, Newport Restaurant Group, is currently running its annual gift card fundraiser, donating $2.00 from every gift card order this holiday season to local food banks and area non-profits committed to building a sustainable and local food supply for those in need.

February 17, 2023 0 comment

chefs & restaurants cooking news wine & drinks

News Bites: New Sons of Liberty Flavored Whiskies / Anchor & Hope Wins Four Awards / RI Seafood Launches New Site and App / Help Giusto Donate Lasagnas / Neon Marketplace Opens in Providence

by David Dadekian December 7, 2022

written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Sons of Liberty Launches New Flavored Whiskey Line

Rhode Island’s Sons of Liberty Introduces 4 Flavored Whiskies – Maple, Honey, Apple, Coffee

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. was kind enough to provide samples so there’s already an Eat Drink RI Tasting video on YouTube for you to view: https://youtu.be/z8kWdDHfmuI

Sons of Liberty Spirits Co. has released a new line of flavored whiskies that are now available throughout Rhode Island and select stores in Massachusetts; the four year-round flavors are Maple, Honey, Apple, and Coffee. The 750ml, 70 proof offerings are all crafted with real ingredients and are on store shelves for a suggested retail price of just $29.99. This line release comes on the heels of Sons of Liberty’s recent brand-refresh after nearly 11 years in business.

Sons of Liberty is no stranger to flavored whiskey having produced various award-winning flavors dating as far back as 2012. Their most notable awards include World’s Best Flavored Whiskey, Best Flavored Whiskey in North America (both awarded by Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards) and a handful of gold medals from prestigious competitions.

“We’re really excited with how these turned out,” said Sons of Liberty’s President and Founder, Mike Reppucci. “You don’t feel like your teeth are coated in sugar after enjoying them.” Contrary to some other flavored spirits in the market, Sons of Liberty prides itself on using real ingredients to flavor their whiskies, no chemicals or flavor substitutes. Real honey, real maple syrup, real apples, and real coffee beans. “It just tastes better that way.” Mike explained.

The flavors themselves provide for many ways of enjoyment. “They’re very versatile whiskies,” said Rachael Soderberg of the Product Development Team. “Delicious on their own or with an ice cube since they aren’t overly sweet, but also excellent in fun cocktails since the whiskey itself can hold its own.” The team at Sons of Liberty has numerous cocktail recipe suggestions on their website (https://www.drinksol.com/cocktails).

Sons of Liberty has already shipped a second batch to market and are currently working on a third as the initial response has been very positive. To find retailers near you for any of Sons of Liberty’s flavored whiskies, visit https://www.drinksol.com/where-to-buy. Or order ahead and pick up at Sons of Liberty’s retail shop (tasting room remains closed): http://shop.drinksol.com

Please check out the Eat Drink RI Tasting video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z8kWdDHfmuI

Anchor & Hope Wins Four Awards at Boston Wine Competition

Four Varietals Receive Medals, including a Best in Class for Winery’s 2020 Riesling

Anchor & Hope, a craft winery located in Rumford, Rhode Island, is proud to announce that it was awarded four medals at the inaugural Boston Wine Competition, which began on November 4.

Anchor & Hope’s grapes are grown on small family farms in Germany, California, Oregon, Rhode Island, and New York, and blended, aged, and packaged in Rumford. All their wines are farmed sustainably and made using minimal intervention practices, resulting in elegant, easy drinking, and food-friendly wines.

All four Anchor & Hope wines submitted scored highly in the judging criteria of quality and diversity. Its 2020 Riesling received Best in Class for the category and a platinum award for receiving unanimous gold medals from the judging panel. Grown on a historic vineyard site, the off-dry Riesling is mineral-driven and bursting with ripe fruit and floral aromatics. Winemaker, mentor and grower Eckehart Groehl produces this wine with earth-friendly farming,native fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and some skin contact before pressing. His vineyard hangs on the historic red slate and sandstone cliffs of Nierstein, Germany along the Rhine River.

The just-released 2021 Pinot Gris received a gold medal for its rich, honeyed and tropical fruit flavors, salty minerality, and almond pastry note that is derived from aging on the native yeast with some skin contact. The grapes are grown on the rolling hills above the Rhine River by the Groehl family, where the sediment of prehistoric, calcium rich shells, volcanic rocks, and red sandstone make Rheinhessen an incredible place for Pinot varietals.

The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from the Foxhole Vineyard in Rheinhessen, Germany, won a silver medal for its bright and refreshing flavors of citrus and fresh herbs, salty minerality, and crisp acidity. Clean winemaking, extended skin contact and slow, cold fermentation in stainless, it is the culmination of more than 15 years of collaboration with grower, mentor and co-winemaker, Eckehart Groehl.

Lastly, the 2020 Pinot Noir received a bronze medal for its ripe flavors of cranberry and raspberry enhanced by aromas of cocoa and leather. These Massal Selection vines were planted and grown sustainably by partner winemakers Nico and Laura Espenschied on their family estate in Flonheim, Germany. The grapes were hand-picked and fermented in open tonneau by native yeasts before softening and aging for 18 months in large oak tonneau.

The Boston Wine Competition showcases wine diversity across the globe, spotlighting wines that earn renowned recognition. Judges score wines highly, based on the winemaker’s ability to balance the art and science of winemaking, while making sound, quality wines that consumers will love.

Raye Bouschet, Executive Director and co-founder of the Boston Wine Competition says, “Our competition celebrates wines that capture the essence of art and science in the glass, from vine to bottle. This competition not only analyzes quality, but places emphasis on what differentiates it from the pack. We’re on a mission to showcase winemakers that express grape and regional diversity and celebrate what each winemaker brings to the table.”

The judging panel at the competition was made up of sommeliers, buyers and writers with extensive commercial buying responsibility. During the judging stage, judges determined which entries were worthy of a platinum, gold, silver, or bronze medal. Entries that received a gold medal from all judges on a panel earned a platinum award. On the final day of the competition, platinum and gold winners advanced to the sweepstakes round to determine Best in Class and Best in Show winners.

“In today’s competitive market, and with more sophisticated consumers who prefer diversity and uniqueness in their wine, a well-made wine is not enough to win over a customer. This competition awards wineries that express the grape’s potential in its given region, appellation, and vineyard, making these awards incredibly significant for us as a growing brand,” said Anchor & Hope co-owner and winemaker James Davids. “Not only does this recognition show that we are making the types of wines that customers will enjoy, but that we are also making quality wines that stand out in a crowd.”

RI Seafood Launches New Website Tools And “Fishline” App To Help Local Consumers Find Fresh, Local Seafood

The Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative has launched a mobile app and a redesigned website to heighten Rhode Island consumers’ awareness of the value, appeal, and year-round availability of fresh, local Rhode Island seafood, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today. Developed in partnership with the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, the new app, FishLine, lets consumers search for fresh seafood to buy from seafood markets, farmers’ markets, and restaurants, as well as directly off the boat from fishermen. The FishLine app and newly updated SeafoodRI.com website are examples of ways that the state is trying to boost its commercial fishing and seafood industry, and strengthen Rhode Island’s local food system and food economy.

“Making it easier for people to find and buy Rhode Island seafood is good for everyone,” said Governor Dan McKee. “It supports the thousands of hard-working men and women of one of the Ocean State’s oldest industries, celebrates the restaurants and seafood dealers and food businesses that have made Rhode Island such a ‘foodie’ destination, and ensures a steady supply of fresh, healthy, locally caught seafood, which is a cornerstone of our state food security strategy.”

“From calamari to oysters to various species of finfish, Rhode Island seafood is already known around the world; what we’re trying to do is jolt interest in and demand for our seafood right here in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Through the new FishLine app and website, DEM wants to help connect local consumers and especially younger consumers to local seafood because local is fresh and fresh is delicious.”

“Access to fresh Rhode Island seafood is now, literally, at the fingertips of all Rhode Islanders,” said Robert Ballou, Chair of the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative. “Increasing consumer awareness of and demand for Rhode Island seafood products in Rhode Island increases in-state sales, spurs growth of the local seafood economy, and supports a stronger, more resilient local food system that is less dependent on less reliable out-of-state sources. Shorter supply chains, or food miles, also have smaller carbon footprints, thereby helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

The new FishLine app and SeafoodRI.com list more than 40 restaurants, seafood markets, grocers, and direct sellers that offer local seafood, profiles about local species and harvesters, and tips for how to cook and enjoy it. Direct sellers and other seafood retailers can use the app to post real-time updates on landings and sales opportunities, helping consumers geo-locate the opportunities to purchase and enjoy RI seafood closest to where they are located. Simply go to SeafoodRI.com and click on the RI Seafood Finder to get started or download the FishLine app from the Apple or Android app store.

Both tools are initiatives of the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative and industry partners to promote and market fresh Rhode Island seafood. The trademarked RI Seafood brand logo is a core component. Over the past year, the RI Seafood logo has been featured in a variety of online and print advertisements across Rhode Island and at public events including the Charlestown Seafood Festival, the Newport Seafood Festival, and most recently, the Taste of Rhode Island, where Chef Frank Terranova demonstrated how to prepare locally landed monkfish to nearly 1,000 attendees. The 2022 RI Seafood Marketing campaign is supported by a federal Saltonstall-Kennedy grant awarded to DEM and the Collaborative by NOAA Fisheries last year.

Established by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2011, the RI Seafood Marketing Collaborative is a public-private body that aims to support local fishermen and seafood farmers and increase awareness and consumption of locally harvested species by the public. Its membership includes representatives from all key sectors of the commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood industries joined by representatives from URI, RI Sea Grant, and state agencies including DEM, which chairs the group, and the RI Commerce Corporation, Rhode Island Department of Health, and RI Coastal Resources Management Council.

Rhode Island has a diverse and dynamic commercial fishing and seafood industry. Steeped in tradition, the industry continues to thrive thanks to the health and abundance of locally available fishery resources and the ingenuity and sweat of thousands of hard-working men and women who harvest seafood and make it available to consumers in Rhode Island, across the United States, and around the world. Annual wild harvest landings total over 80 million pounds, valued at over $100 million (ex-vessel). These landings yield a total economic output valued at over $400 million and support over 4,000 jobs, according to a URI study. In addition, shellfish farms in RI waters produce more than 8 million oysters annually, with a farm-gate value of nearly $6 million. The commercial fishing industry has rebounded after huge challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, with 2021 landings, valued at more than $102 million, up by 31% over 2020 landings (ex-vessel), according to the DEM Division of Marine Fisheries.

Follow RI Seafood on Facebook or Instagram (@RI.seafood) for timely updates. Sellers of RI seafood interested in joining the RI Seafood Marketing Campaign can sign up on the RI Seafood website. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem).

“Buy One, Give One” Lasagna Promotion Returns at Giusto

Now in its third year, the “Buy One, Give One Lasagna” promotion is back for the holidays. Giusto is selling their ready-to-bake lasagnas to support the MLK Center in Newport. For each lasagna purchased, Giusto will donate one to the MLK Center. There are two variations available, Meat Bolognese and Mushroom Ragu. Each lasagna serves 6-8 people and costs $75. To order: 401-324-7400 (with 24 hours notice).

Neon Marketplace Opens in Providence; marks Occasion with $10,000 Donation to Hasbro Children’s Hospital

New Location is the Growing C-Store Brand’s Sixth Store, and its Fourth in Rhode Island

Check Presentation: Tracey Wallace, Vice President, Pediatric Services, Hasbro Children’s Hospital; Michele Brannigan, Senior Major Gifts Officer and Campaign Manager; Bahjat Shariff, Brand Leader, Neon Marketplace; Ralph Izzi, Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Public Affairs, The Procaccianti Companies.

Neon Marketplace, the newest, most innovative, and elevated brand in the convenience store industry, with locations in Warwick, Rhode Island and Seekonk and Freetown, Massachusetts and express locations in Middletown and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest store at 288 Kinsley Avenue in Providence.

Neon celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, Mayor-Elect Brett Smiley, and Providence City Councilman Oscar Vargas, as well as a $10,000 donation to Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

The first 100 customers at the Providence location also received a special winter-themed gift with purchase.

“We are thrilled to open our doors in the Capital City,” said Bahjat Shariff, Brand Leader, Neon Marketplace. “With our convenient location, competitively-priced gas, Tesla charging stations, and chef-inspired food and beverage choices, we hope to become the go-to stop for the local community and visitors alike.”

Neon Marketplace offers a full array of dining options, including its signature artisan, hand-pressed pizzas. Developed in conjunction with James Beard award-winning chef and restaurateur Michael Schlow, Neon’s pizza pies are baked light and fluffy onsite in Neon’s traditional brick ovens. Each hand-crafted pizza pie starts with dough that is proofed for several hours to give it a light and airy texture, and is then baked in Neon’s brick ovens. On “Pizza Twos-day” Tuesdays, customers can pick up any two of Neon’s Roman-style specialty pizzas topped with house-made sauce and Neon’s signature three-cheese blend for just $15.00 at the Providence, Warwick, Seekonk, and Freetown locations.

In addition to its signature pizzas, Neon offers a variety of made-to-order and grab-and-go options, including gourmet coffees, breakfast sandwiches and baked goods; hand-made grinders and sandwiches; salads; snacks; fountain and cooler drinks; as well as delivery and catering services for any size group and for any occasion.

Soon, guests of the Providence location will be able to enjoy Neon’s new chicken sandwiches, which feature a choice of a buttermilk-battered crispy chicken breast or a tender sous vide chicken breast grilled to perfection andtopped with tangy pickles and the slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and always creamy Neon sauce served on a toasted brioche bun. Guests can make their sandwiches deluxe with the addition of crispy bacon, American cheese, green leaf lettuce, sliced tomato, and onion.

Neon also recently added new menu items inspired by the flavors of the holiday season, including Peppermint Hot Chocolate: extra rich dark hot chocolate with a kiss of peppermint and finished with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies; a Peppermint Mocha: Neon’s smooth and rich espresso infused with chocolate sauce, wintery peppermint, and steamed milk and finished with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies; an Iced Peppermint Mocha: smooth and rich espresso infused with chocolate sauce, wintery peppermint, and milk, poured over ice, then finished with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies; and an indulgent Candy Cane Cookies & Cream Milkshake: creamy vanilla soft serve ice cream blended with peppermint and Oreo cookies and topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and crushed peppermint candies.

Seasonal baked goods, made fresh in-house daily, will feature the Cranberry Orange Nut Muffin packed with juicy cranberries, tangy orange pieces, and toasted walnuts, and the decadent Red Velvet Cookie with white, dark, and milk chocolate pieces, available warm.

Neon Marketplace caters to today’s modern traveler by delivering a uniquely refreshing and stylish experience designed to create loyal customers. Neon locations are targeted to areas where the convenience store customer is currently underserved and in areas where growing populations and/or business growth has resulted in increased vehicle traffic and consumer demand. Guests are also encouraged to download the Neon Rewards app on their iPhone or Android device to receive special discounts throughout the year. Neon Rewards members who also join Spot Pay will receive 10-cents off every gallon of gasoline purchased for the duration of their membership. Spot Pay offers all participating members discounts and instant reward payments on fuel purchases.

December 7, 2022 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news

News Bites: Oberlin’s Chef Sukle Opening New Spot and Announces Move / Rhody Feeding Rhody Awarded USDA Grant / Rory’s Market Launces Fresh Produce Program

by David Dadekian November 14, 2022

written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Chef/Owner Benjamin Sukle Announces New Restaurant, Gift Horse, to Open this Spring; Additionally, Oberlin will move to new location, directly across the street this Summer

Chef/Owner Benjamin Sukle of Oberlin (which opened in 2016) in Providence, Rhode Island, will be opening a new restaurant this Spring 2023, Gift Horse (address: 272 Westminster Street). The tongue and cheek saying which the restaurant borrows its name should offer a preview to the eccentric, playful tone the team hopes to achieve. With a strong focus on local shellfish, seafood, and catches from New England waters via raw bar dining in a style distinctive of Chef Sukle’s approach to seasonality, as well as the cultivated relationships he has with farmers and fishermen alike. One unique distinction is the oysters featured on the menu will predominantly be harvested from different bays around the state or within very close proximity.* The beverage program will feature an expanded wine list, and highlight low ABV cocktails as well–think creative takes on Spritzes inspired by the Mediterranean coast. *More info on oyster programming available.

Additionally, Oberlin which is currently located at 186 Union Street in downtown Providence will move directly across the street to a new location this Summer to 266 Westminster Street. The team plans to close the restaurant for a brief time to anticipate and prepare for the new location’s opening. Benjamin and team will expand hours of operation to add lunch and brunch service. The change of location promises to continue to offer the same experience diners have come to expect in the past six years, along with many added amenities including a new wood-burning oven–which will serve as the heart of the restaurant influencing respective seafood and vegetables dishes alike–a larger wine cellar and bar program, and overall more expansive footprint with additional seating, along with options for private dining and catering. The new location–being adjacent to Grant’s Block Park–allows for an expansive outdoor patio and bar, which will be weather proofed with a retractable roof and heaters to extend seasonal dining. Longtime general manager, Bethany Caliaro, will join as a partner in the restaurants as well.

“Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance” Gets The Greenlight From USDA

Rhode Island Food Policy Council awarded $498K grant to fortify RI’s emergency food network while supporting local farms and fisheries

Movement Ground Farm in Tiverton, Rhode Island, photo courtesy of RI Food Policy Council

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council has been awarded a $498K grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) to launch the “Serving the Food Insecure Market: Connecting Rhode Island Farmers and Fishermen with Our Emergency Feeding Network” project. Implementation partners include Farm Fresh RI, Southside Community Land Trust, and the Commercial Fisheries Center of RI The Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance will work with emergency food providers to build sustainable market channels between local farmers and fishers and Rhode Island residents in need of fresh, local, culturally-appropriate food.

This project was strongly supported by Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation. A joint letter of support was signed by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Jim Langevin and Rep. David Cicilline.

“This federal funding will help feed the hungry and expand opportunities for local food producers and businesses. Rhode Island has amazing food and this collaborative effort will help the Rhode Island Food Policy Council and their partners find new ways to improve marketing, transportation, and distribution of local food and strengthen supply chains for food businesses,” said Senator Reed.

“I’m pleased to have helped secure the funding to stand up the Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance, an innovative partnership that will connect fresh food from local farmers and fishermen to Rhode Islanders facing food insecurity,” said Whitehouse. “This initiative will strengthen our food supply chain, boost the market for local agriculture and seafood businesses, and provide healthy food to our neighbors in need.”

“All Rhode Islanders deserve access to safe and nutritious food, which is why I’m so happy to deliver these crucial federal dollars to launch the ‘Rhody Feeding Rhody’ Alliance,” said Rep. Jim Langevin. “This new partnership will establish a critical connection between Rhode Island’s underserved communities and our best-in-class farmers and fishers, so that families experiencing food insecurity can enjoy the fresh produce and seafood produced right here at home.”

“Congratulations to the Rhode Island Food Policy Council and all of the tremendous local organizations who will be partnering for the Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance,” said Congressman Cicilline. “I was thrilled to advocate to USDA for this innovative project. This effort will build a more resilient food system that not only addresses food insecurity but also supports our local producers and growers. It’s a win for our farmers and fishers and helps our vulnerable neighbors.”

Eva Agudelo, Farm Fresh RI’s Hope’s Harvest Executive Director, notes “This funding strengthens the work Farm Fresh RI does to bring millions of servings of locally grown and caught products into the emergency food market. “USDA programs like LFPP help us put our trucks, coolers, and dedicated staff in service to meeting the needs of Rhode Island farmers and our neighbors who struggle with food insecurity.”

“Add up the costs of healthy food, housing, child care, utilities – everything families need to succeed. It’s all too expensive relative to income levels. Until this problem is fixed, SCLT will work through this program with USDA and our local partners to help hundreds of families in need serve up fresh produce grown right here by 40 small scale, sustainable urban and rural farmers.” says Margaret DeVos, Executive Director, Southside Community Land Trust

“This project will help to build on unique initiatives to connect local products to the emergency food system during a time of increasing need.” says Fred Mattera, Executive Director of Commercial Fisheries Center of RI, “For the Commercial Fisheries Center, this funding allows us to greatly expand and streamline access to nutritious local seafood among communities in need while helping to support our vibrant fishing industry.”

“Local seafood is an abundant resource in Rhode Island, an important part of a healthy diet, and is also a fundamental part of our culinary traditions for so many people in our community and yet still many people don’t have access to it.” says Kate Masury, Executive Director of Eating with the Ecosystem, “This funding will help Eating with the Ecosystem and the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island support seafood businesses in providing local seafood to the emergency food system and sharing this delicious and healthy resource with people in need.”

“Access to safe and healthy food is a key determinant of health at the individual level and the community level. This grant will be critical to the Rhode Island Food Policy Council’s work to ensure this access for Rhode Islanders in every ZIP code throughout the state,” said Utpala Bandy, MD, MPH, Interim Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “We thank the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Local Food Promotion Program for their partnership, and we look forward to the vital collaborations with our community partners that these funds will support for years to come.”

“Both Rhode Island’s emergency feeding network and local food producers experienced massive disruptions and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rhody Feeding Rhody initiative will deepen supply chain connections between these stakeholders, helping to build the kind of resilient and regional food system we envision in our state food plan “Relish Rhody” says Juli Stelmaszyk, RI State Director of Food Strategy

RIFPC’s project builds on a successful planning grant awarded by USDA in 2020 which piloted connections between 25 RI farmers and fishers. Now, 80 RI farmers and fishers (at least 9 of whom are from historically underserved communities,

The new, 3-year grant will enable RIFPC and partners to build information exchanges, infrastructure, and ordering systems that will benefit these local businesses and RI emergency food providers alike. Mutually-agreed upon product, price and delivery specifications will build greater confidence and offer lower risk to food producers and harvesters.

The Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance will identify pathways to financial viability, enhancing and growing the wholesale market for 50+ locally-grown agricultural products as well as growing wholesale markets for 30+ locally-harvested, wild-caught seafood in the emergency food system. The Council will measure and evaluate project impacts, using findings to continually improve program operations and advocate for sustainable funding. As a result, the local emergency feeding system will become a larger, more reliable wholesale market for local producers and harvesters while also becoming more resilient to supply chain shocks from public health emergencies and climate-related disasters.

To learn more about the Rhody Feeding Rhody Alliance, email info@rifoodcouncil.org.

Rory’s Market And Kitchen Launches Pound For Pound Fresh Produce Program November 2022 In Downtown Providence

Rory’s Customer Shopping for Organic Produce, photo courtesy of Rory’s

Rory’s Market + Kitchen and UNFI Produce & Fresh Co. have partnered to expand the Pound for Pound program originally initiated in 2019 at the company’s Cape Cod stores to include Rory’s new location in downtown Providence.

Throughout the month of November, select produce will be on sale at all Rory’s Market + Kitchen locations. For every pound of eligible produce purchased by Rory’s customers, Rory’s will donate a pound to the community’s local food bank.

At the company’s Dennis Port and Mashpee locations, the weight of purchased produce will be donated to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod. Purchases made at Rory’s in downtown Providence will contribute to poundage donated to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. No monetary donations are required to participate; customers simply purchase at Rory’s and know they will be supporting members of their local community in need.

“Food insecurity affects every community, and fresh produce is often an area that food banks are lacking in donation or supply,” says Rory Eames, owner and namesake of Rory’s. “We are committed to using our purchasing power to help increase access to fresh, quality produce to our local communities.”

At the conclusion of the program, Rory’s will purchase the fresh produce in highest demand by the food banks which will then be delivered to drop locations at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and the Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

“The Food Bank is so appreciative of the generosity of Rory’s Market and its customers,” shared Lisa Roth Blackman, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s Chief Philanthropy Officer. “The need for food assistance in Rhode Island has increased dramatically. Our member agencies are serving 63,000 people per month – an increase of 20% from last year. This donation from Rory’s will help us meet the demand for healthy, fresh produce – an important part of our distribution.

November 14, 2022 0 comment

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