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chefs & restaurantsnews

March of Dimes 12th Annual Signature Chefs Auction Coming September 19, 2013

by David Dadekian August 29, 2013
written by David Dadekian
March of Dimes Rhode Island's 2013 Signature Chef Kevin Thiele of the Hotel Viking / One Bellevue

March of Dimes Rhode Island’s 2013 Signature Chef Kevin Thiele of the Hotel Viking / One Bellevue

It’s almost time once again for one of the year’s best chef and restaurant events in Rhode Island, the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. Where else can you find 24 of the area’s best chefs preparing their fantastic food in the same place, while also benefitting a great charity? The event is coming up on Thursday, September 19 in Newport and tickets are available here. Full details follow in the March of Dimes Rhode Island release below.

 

 

Something’s Cooking In Newport and the Key Ingredient Is . . . You!

Twenty-four of Rhode Island’s top chefs “come to the table” with their signature dishes to support the State’s tiniest citizens at 12th Anniversary of March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Event

Ever have one of those nights where you want to dine out but just can’t decide which of your favorite restaurants to go to or what kind of food you’re in the mood for? Problem solved for at least one day anyway. Head to Belle Mer on Goat Island in Newport on September 19 at 6 p.m. and enjoy the company and signature dishes of 24 of Rhode Island’s leading chefs. The chefs will leave their restaurant posts for the day to lend their culinary talents to the March of Dimes’ 12th annual Signature Chefs Auction. By attending the event, you’ll be helping R.I.’s tiniest citizens – its babies – while partaking in a culinary extravaganza with a front-row seat of the ocean.

“We are so fortunate to have such top-tier cooking talent all under one roof for this important event,” said Betsy Akin, director of March of Dimes Rhode Island. “These leading chefs have graciously donated their time to prepare samplings of unforgettable dishes to help support the March of Dimes, and subsequently, to help give babies a healthy start in life.”

Ellen Slattery, owner of Gracie’s and co-chair for the sixth consecutive year of the Signature Chefs Auction, added, “This is a true show of collaborative spirit and combined talents for a very important cause. As someone who has been personally touched by the March of Dimes and knows all too well how scary it is when a baby is struggling, it means so much to me that all of these skilled chefs are sharing their gift for cooking in support of this great organization which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.”

Serving as co-chair of the event with Slattery is Annette Picerne of East Greenwich.

In addition to the “Signature Chef” samplings, a tribute will be “on the menu” as Chef Kevin Thiele of Newport’s Hotel Viking/One Bellevue will be presented as March of Dimes Rhode Island’s 2013 Signature Chef. The evening will also include participation of celebrity auctioneer and entertainer Sir Jeremy Bell of Edinburgh, Scotland, who will auction off superb culinary, accommodation, theater and vacation packages. To give a “taste” of the evening, one of the superb items on offer during the Live Auction is an 8 day cruise, with stateroom river view accommodations of the storied Danube River and through 4 of Europe’s most enchanting countries – Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia – courtesy of Viking Cruises.

Participating chefs include: Kevin Thiele of Hotel Viking/One Bellevue, Karsten Hart of Castle Hill Inn, Michael Hervieux of Belle Mer – all in Newport; Matthew Varga of Gracie’s, Brian Kingsford of Bacaro, Josh Herring of CAV, Massimiliano Mariotta of The Dorrance, Melissa Denmark of Ellie’s Bakery, Joe DeQuattro of Pane e Vino, Rolando Robledo of Aspire at Hotel Providence, Edward Bolus of Mills Tavern, Jennifer Luxmoore of Sin Desserts, Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Kaitlyn Roberts of Easy Entertaining, Jon Dille of The Grange – all in Providence; Champe Speidel of Persimmon, Sai Viswanath of DeWolf Tavern – both in Bristol; Joe Simone of The Sunnyside in Warren; Kevin Gaudreau of The Boat House in Tiverton; Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections in Central Falls; Ben Wood of Wildwood Catering in Kingston; Raymond Montaquila of The Coast Guard House in Narragansett, Ben Lacy of Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro in Foxboro, Mass. and Kevin Des Chenes.

The Signature Chefs Auction begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $150. Corporate and host tables are available, and the March of Dimes hopes that individuals and companies recognize the opportunity to help babies and their families while enjoying inventive and succulent dishes in an elegant venue.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities and tickets, contact Neil Sharpe at March of Dimes at 401.228.1932 or visit www.marchofdimes.com/rhodeisland

Proceeds from the Signature Chefs Auction will help support the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.

August 29, 2013 0 comments
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chefs & restaurants

March of Dimes Rhode Island 10th Annual Signature Chefs Auction

by David Dadekian March 16, 2022
written by David Dadekian
Pork terrine from Gracie's Chef Matthew Varga

Pork terrine from Gracie's Chef Matthew Varga

In a show of support for Rhode Island’s tiniest citizens, more than 260 guests turned out for the March of Dimes Rhode Island 10th Annual Signature Chefs Auction event held recently at Belle Mer on Goat Island in Newport. The event—which featured the culinary talents of 24 of the state’s leading chefs, and restaurant, theater, accommodation and vacation packages auctioned off by celebrity auctioneer and entertainer Sir Jeremy Bell of Edinburgh, Scotland—raised $95,000 to help support the March of Dimes mission. The event also paid tribute to Chef Sai Viswanath of DeWolf Tavern in Bristol. He was presented with the March of Dimes 2011 Signature Chef Award. Commenting about the event, Rhode Island March of Dimes Director Betsy Akin said, “We are thrilled about the outcome of this wonderful event and the participation of Chef Sai and all the other top-notch chefs who came to Belle Mer from all parts of the state and on their own time to prepare samplings of their signature dishes for guests. These unforgettable dishes combined with the fantastic packages Sir Jeremy Bell auctioned off to guests made for a hugely successful night. We are grateful to those involved in the event’s success; especially to the many individuals and companies that turned out to support the Signature Chefs event.” story by Dawn Ratte

In front row from left to right are: Rizwan Ahmed of Hourglass Brasserie, Ryan Escudé of Centro, Chris Kattawar of D. Carlo Trattoria, Matthew Varga of Gracie’s, Kevin Gaudreau of The Pier, Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, David Blessing of Belle Mer and Jennifer Chapman of DeWolf Tavern. In back row from left to right are:  Michael Conetta of Trio, Raymond Montaquilla of the Coast Guard House, Eric Haugen of Ocean House, Rick Allaire, David Cardell of Temple, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, Karsten Hart of Castle Hill Inn, Ben Lacy of Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro, Sai Viswanath of DeWolf Tavern, Christian Pieper of Salvation Café and Brian Kingsford of Bacaro. Missing from the photo are the following chefs: Jules Ramos of 1149, Kevin Thiele of One Bellevue, Kim Lambrechts of Grill at 41 North, Jonathan Cambra of the Boat House, and Antonio Franco of Pane e Vino

In front row from left to right are: Rizwan Ahmed of Hourglass Brasserie, Ryan Escudé of Centro, Chris Kattawar of D. Carlo Trattoria, Matthew Varga of Gracie’s, Kevin Gaudreau of The Pier, Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, David Blessing of Belle Mer and Jennifer Chapman of DeWolf Tavern. In back row from left to right are: Michael Conetta of Trio, Raymond Montaquilla of the Coast Guard House, Eric Haugen of Ocean House, Rick Allaire, David Cardell of Temple, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, Karsten Hart of Castle Hill Inn, Ben Lacy of Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro, Sai Viswanath of DeWolf Tavern, Christian Pieper of Salvation Café and Brian Kingsford of Bacaro. Missing from the photo are the following chefs: Jules Ramos of 1149, Kevin Thiele of One Bellevue, Kim Lambrechts of Grill at 41 North, Jonathan Cambra of the Boat House, and Antonio Franco of Pane e Vino

Chef David Cardell of Temple carving suckling pig

Chef David Cardell of Temple carving suckling pig

Centro's Chef Ryan Escude plating braised beef cheek

Centro's Chef Ryan Escude plating braised beef cheek

Chef Rick Allaire's tomato salad with stracciatella

Chef Rick Allaire's tomato salad with stracciatella

Gracie's preparing the pork terrine

Gracie's preparing the pork terrine

Fish cake with fresh corn from Chef Jonathan Cambra at the Boat House

Fish cake with fresh corn from Chef Jonathan Cambra at the Boat House

Dessert from Garrison Confections

Dessert from Garrison Confections

Host and auctioneer Sir Jeremy Bell

Host and auctioneer Sir Jeremy Bell

Co-chairs of the 2011 March of Dimes Signature Chefs event Annette Picerne of East Greenwich and Gracie's restaurant owner Ellen Gracyalny; DeWolf Tavern Chef Sai Viswanath; and Rhode Island March of Dimes Director Betsy Akin.

Co-chairs of the 2011 March of Dimes Signature Chefs event Annette Picerne of East Greenwich and Gracie's restaurant owner Ellen Gracyalny; DeWolf Tavern Chef Sai Viswanath; and Rhode Island March of Dimes Director Betsy Akin.

The silent auction portion of the evening

The silent auction portion of the evening

March 16, 2022 0 comments
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chefs & restaurantsnews

Coming June 12 – Share Our Strength A Tasteful Pursuit Dinner at Bacaro

by David Dadekian May 31, 2011
written by David Dadekian

Share Our Strength's A Tasteful PursuitShare Our Strength returns to Providence on June 12th with A Tasteful Pursuit dinner to benefit the No Kid Hungry Campaign to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. The dinner will be hosted at Bacaro by Chef Brian Kingsford and Co-owner and Beverage Director Jennifer Matta, along with event chairs Ken Romanzi, the Chief Operating Officer of Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., and his wife Milly. Preparing the multi-course dinner alongside Chef Kingsford will be Chef Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto in New York City, Chef Jason Santos of the soon-to-open Blue Inc. in Boston, Chef Jonathan Cambra of Castle Hill Inn in Newport and Chef Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections. Also joining the chefs will be Mixologist Chris Amirault of Cook and Brown Public House preparing specialty cocktails for the evening’s cocktail reception.

Eat Drink RI spoke with Chef Santos, a long time Share Our Strength supporter, who said, “I have been involved in Share Our Strength since I was 19 and it only gets better and better. [I’m] looking forward to this as much as I am looking forward to ending childhood hunger. What’s better than cooking amazing food, with amazing chefs in an amazing setting, for an amazing cause!” Chef Kingsford commented, “Having a career in the food industry, it’s really hard for us to imagine children in America that don’t have access to the food they need to grow and thrive. We believe that the only hunger a child should have is the hunger for knowledge.  Please join Jennifer and I to help support efforts to end childhood hunger in America.”

Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on culinary and travel items during the evening’s silent and live auctions. The cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. with dinner seating at 7 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person. You can make reservations by calling 877-268-2783 or at www.atastefulpursuit.org. You can view photos from last year’s A Tasteful Pursuit dinner at Al Forno here.

May 31, 2011 0 comments
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chefs & restaurants

Ocean House Farm + Vine Dinner featuring Chef Derek Wagner

by David Dadekian May 27, 2011
written by David Dadekian
Chef Derek Wagner of Nick's on Broadway with Chef Eric Haugen of Seasons at the Ocean House

Chef Derek Wagner of Nick's on Broadway with Chef Eric Haugen of Seasons at the Ocean House

Once a month, though not during the summer busy season, the Ocean House in Westerly invites a notable local chef to prepare a three-course dinner paired with wine. As you would imagine from the “Farm” part of the dinner series title, a serious attempt is made to use all local ingredients. In May the guest chef was Derek Wagner chef/owner of Nick’s on Broadway in Providence, Qupé Winery was chosen for the evening’s pairings and Arcadian Fields’ farmer Diana Kushner provided a wonderful bounty of ingredients, as well as humbly serving as a guest of honor. I was an invited guest to the dinner and made a series of photographs with the two chefs in the kitchen beforehand.

Chef Haugen prepared four passed hors d’oeuvres: Truffle Glazed Berkshire Pork Belly, Free Range Rabbit Loin, Stonington Lobster Boudin and Hot and Sour Foie Gras Consomme, all of which was served alongside the 2009 Qupé Bien Nacido Cuvée. Chef Wagner created the three courses for dinner which were: Butter-Roasted Native Bomster Sea Scallops with Lardo, Peas, Lemon-Chive Cream and Fresh Herbs paired with the 2009 Qupé Marsanne “Santa Ynez Valley,” Peppered Stoney Hill Farm Pork with Dandelion Greens, Lovage, Charred-Radish-Potato Puree and Red Wine Jus paired with the 2008 Los Olivos Cuvée and a Dark Chocolate with Lavender, Honey and Mint dessert paired with the 2008 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard.

On Wednesday, June 1, Chef Brian Kingsford from Bacaro in Providence is the guest chef. Some ingredients are to be provided by Farm Fresh RI and featured wines are from Testamatta Winery. For more information and to make a reservation see the complete listing on the Upcoming Events page. Persimmon Chef Champe Speidel and New Rivers‘ Chef Beau Vestal are scheduled for Farm + Vine dinners in the fall. Watch the Events page for updates.

 

Chef Wagner directing the kitchen team at Seasons

Chef Wagner directing the kitchen team at Seasons

Chef Haugen instructing how to present the Truffle Glazed Pork Belly hors d'oeuvres

Chef Haugen instructing how to present the Truffle Glazed Pork Belly hors d'oeuvres

Preparing the Peppered Stoney Hill Farm Pork

Preparing the Peppered Stoney Hill Farm Pork

Chef Wagner cleaning mint for the Dark Chocolate dessert

Chef Wagner cleaning mint for the Dark Chocolate dessert

Some of the many herbs and greens provided by Arcadian Fields

Some of the many herbs and greens provided by Arcadian Fields

Chef Derek Wagner of Nick's on Broadway

Chef Derek Wagner of Nick's on Broadway

Hors d'Oeurves of Free Range Rabbit Loin, Wrapped in House Cured Guanciale, Preserved Lemon Yogurt

Hors d'Oeurves of Free Range Rabbit Loin, Wrapped in House Cured Guanciale, Preserved Lemon Yogurt

Preparing the Butter-Roasted Native Bomster Sea Scallops

Preparing the Butter-Roasted Native Bomster Sea Scallops

Chefs Haugen and Wagner describe their dishes to the front of house staff

Chefs Haugen and Wagner describe their dishes to the front of house staff

Butter-Roasted Native Bomster Sea Scallops with Lardo, Peas, Lemon-Chive Cream and Fresh Herbs

Butter-Roasted Native Bomster Sea Scallops with Lardo, Peas, Lemon-Chive Cream and Fresh Herbs

Dark Chocolate with Lavender, Honey and Mint

Dark Chocolate with Lavender, Honey and Mint

May 27, 2011 0 comments
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