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Benjamin Sukle

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Chef Benjamin Sukle Cooking at Wild Harmony Farm on Sept. 4, 2019, photo from Eat Drink RI
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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 Benjamin Sukle Cooking at Wild Harmony Farm on Sept. 4, 2019, photo from Eat Drink RI
Chef Benjamin Sukle Cooking at Wild Harmony Farm on Sept. 4, 2019, photo from Eat Drink RI

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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2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

Eat Drink RI Festival — April 24 – 27, 2019

by David Dadekian May 8, 2019
written by David Dadekian
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography

The 8th Annual Eat Drink RI Festival is a celebration showcasing the best of the culinary world in Rhode Island. Presenting farmers, chefs, bartenders and food & drink artisans from across the region, this year’s Festival features the return of our popular wine professional competition, an all-new women-prepared dining event, the area’s largest food truck event, and culminates with an all-local tasting featuring even more culinary and beverage presentations than before. Tickets and more information can be found at eatdrinkri.com/festival.

The 2019 Festival kicks off on April 24th with Rhode Island’s second Sommelier Punchdown. Guests will watch and taste along as a handful of our state’s best Certified Sommeliers are pitted against each other in a wine theory quiz, a blind wine tasting, and a collaboration with a local chef. Returning for this year’s Punchdown is 2018 Champion Ali Innes of bin 312 wine cellar and Chefs Terence Feury of Forty 1° North, Ashley Vanasse of Easy Entertaining and Benjamin Sukle of birch and Oberlin. They will be joined by new competitors for a special night full of delicious wine & food.

On Thursday, April 25th there’s something all-new and exciting for this year’s Festival. The Rhody Women’s Feast is a dining experience prepared by some of Rhode Island’s most talented chefs—Jennifer Backman of The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Shylicia “Shy” Heyward, Andrea LaFazia of The Locals, Rebecca Lentrichia of Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel, Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Gina Pezza of Vanda and Lizzie Fink of Bread Box Baking Company—for a multi-course dining event to be held at the new Revival Foodworks & Brewery in Cranston. Pairings will be offered by women-owned distilleries, Boston Harbor Distillery and Pomp & Whimsy Gin Liqueur, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.

On Friday evening, April 26th, the always popular Truck Stop to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank returns to the Food Bank’s huge lot in Providence with over twenty trucks—the largest gathering of its kind in New England. This seventh annual Truck Stop showcases even more of the excellence and variety of Rhode Island’s mobile restaurants, offers drinks from Jonathan Edwards Winery, Revival Brewing Company & Yacht Club Soda, features local musicians, and also benefits an organization dedicated to ending hunger. In past years the Truck Stop event has raised over $150,000 for the RI Community Food Bank and the goal is to raise even more than that this year.

As always, the Festival closes with the biggest event. Our Grand Tasting features samplings and sales from local food artisans, locally produced beers, wines & spirits in the Rotunda & Ballroom of the RI Convention Center. Please see the Festival web site for a complete listing of vendors. During the Tasting there will be all-new local food & drink presentations and this year the Tasting is going for maximum interactivity with three presentation areas set in-the-round for attendees to enjoy.

The key to the Eat Drink RI Festival is that it is dedicated to showcasing Rhode Island food and drink. This Festival, unlike many others, is about local chefs, bartenders, farmers, brewers, distillers, producers and more—the people who have elevated Rhode Island to national renown for its culinary scene. Tickets and more information can be found at eatdrinkri.com/festival.

2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography
2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography
2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography
2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography
2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography
2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography
from left to right: Morgan Gray, Tiffany Ting, Maria Meza, Rebecca Brady and Gina Pezza (not pictured Yveline Bontemp and Lizzie Fink)
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop, photo by David Dadekian
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, photo by Brad Smith Photography
Photos by JWessel, David Dadekian, Corey Martineau and Brad Smith–see ticketing page for more information.
May 8, 2019 0 comment
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2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography

ExpiredEat Drink RI Festival 2019 Sommelier Punchdown

by David Dadekian April 24, 2019
written by David Dadekian

2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography

2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography

This year’s festival kicks off with Rhode Island’s second Sommelier Punchdown at the new event venue at Sprout CoWorking! Co-hosted by Certified Sommeliers Ian Magiros of M.S. Walker and Jonathan Feiler of Ocean House, this event sees a handful of our state’s best Certified Sommeliers pitted against each other in a wine theory quiz, a blind wine tasting, and a collaboration with a local chef. Some of our favorite chefs will present small bites with a wine pairing that the sommeliers believe is the perfect complement. Guests will vote on the fan favorite pairing, and Magiros & Feiler will tally the points of all three components of the competition to decide who reigns supreme in the southern New England wine world.

2019 Punchdown competing Certified Sommeliers and their pairing chefs:

  • 2018 Returning Champion Ali Innes of bin 312 wine cellar and Benjamin Sukle of birch and Oberlin
  • Justin Bothur of Oyster Club and Ashley Vanasse of Easy Entertaining
  • Joe Hageman of Cellarology and Chris Champagne of 84 Ale Works
  • Nick Seminara of City Winery Boston and Terence Feury of Forty 1° North

If you’re passionate about wine and would love to learn more about how sommeliers refine their palates and sharpen their ability to recall wines, then this is the event for you.

Sommelier Punchdown tickets are $50 and include welcome bubbles & hors d’oeuvres, wine tastings and food & wine pairing.

2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography2018 Sommelier Punchdown, photo by JWessel Photography

2018 Eat Drink RI Festival Sommelier Punchdown, photos by JWessel Photography
April 24, 2019 0 comment
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chefs & restaurantsnews

Benjamin Sukle of Birch and Oberlin Nominated for James Beard Awards Best Chef Northeast

by David Dadekian March 15, 2017
written by David Dadekian

Chef Benjamin Sukle

Chef Benjamin Sukle

The 2017 James Beard Awards nominees were announced today and Chef Benjamin Sukle of birch and Oberlin in Providence has been named a finalist in the Best Chef: Northeast category. This is the first time in many years since a Rhode Island chef has moved up from the semi-finalist list to a nomination.

Sukle called to offer his thoughts on his nomination. “What can I say but tell you what I told everyone at birch and Oberlin,” Sukle said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that this is their nomination as much as mine. I know they’re just as responsible for bringing this to the table. I’m just honored to be the sheepherder, the one fortunate enough to wrangle these cats.”

Diners at either of Sukle’s restaurants, which he owns with his wife Heidi and runs with a team clearly deserving of his praise, won’t be surprised by the nomination. I had dinner at birch recently and posted, “People travel to Chicago for Alinea, to NY for Eleven Madison Park, to Paris and Spain for you-name-the-top-50-restaurant, Providence has one in that stratosphere, on a list or not. You should experience birch, even if you think it’s outside your comfort zone (it’s not), if only because it’s world-class at a fraction of the price.”

Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala in Chicago on May 1st at what is essentially the Oscars® ceremony of the food world.

March 15, 2017 0 comment
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