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R.I. DEM News Release: Bailey Brook Farm Named 2013 Dairy Farm of the Year

by David Dadekian July 24, 2013
written by David Dadekian

RI Department of Environmental Management

For Release: July 24, 2013
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM AND RI AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL ANNOUNCE THAT BAILEY BROOK FARM IN EAST GREENWICH HAS BEEN NAMED RI’s 2013 OUTSTANDING DAIRY FARM OF THE YEAR

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management and the RI Agricultural Council announce that Bailey Brook Farm in East Greenwich has been named Rhode Island’s 2013 Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year by the Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee. Winning dairy farmers from each New England state will be honored at an awards banquet on September 13 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.

The Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee chose Bailey Brook Farm because of its outstanding relationship with the community, use of good management practices, and commitment to ensuring a viable agricultural industry in the West Bay. The farm is owned by three siblings – Rodney Bailey of East Greenwich, Gladys Bailey of East Greenwich, and Priscilla Crofts of North Stonington, CT. The picturesque Bailey Brook Farm is a focal point along Route 4 south in East Greenwich, just before the Frenchtown Road exit.

Bailey Brook Farm Family Members

Bailey Brook Farm Family Members

Since 1980, Bailey Brook Farm has been a member of Agri-Mark Cooperative, the regional dairy cooperative which owns the Cabot brand, which picks up their milk every day and markets it to customers in southern New England. Part of their milk is also sold locally under the Rhody Fresh brand in conjunction with seven other local farms. The farm has been a member of the RI Dairy Farmers Cooperative, which produces Rhody Fresh Milk, since 2009. Rodney Bailey formed a partnership with his son, Paul, in 1998. Today, the Baileys milk 40 cows on their 225-acre farm. They also produce hay on 30 acres, silage corn on 20 acres, and have 25 acres of pasture. The Bailey family farms land on both Bailey Brook Farm and the adjacent Fry Farm on Route 2 in East Greenwich, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The historic Bailey Brook Farm is one of Rhode Island’s finest dairy farms and we are pleased that it has been selected for this special award,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Including the Fry Farm, the Baileys farm some of the oldest, continually-farmed parcels in Rhode Island. The success enjoyed by the Bailey family and other dairy farmers who produce local milk products is helping to protect and preserve hundreds of acres of farmland that will support continued agricultural endeavors for this and future generations to enjoy.”

Rodney and Judy Bailey have been members of Rocky Hill Grange for more than 50 years, and have been very active in their local community. Judy served on the East Greenwich Town Council from 1990-1994, on the RI Agricultural Lands Preservation Commission for 18 years, and was a member of the RI State Board of Elections for 10 years.

The couple has four children including Kathy Burroughs, Paul Bailey, Cynthia LaPrise, and Iva Reynhout, and 10 grandchildren. Kathy Burroughs is currently president of the RI 4-H Club Foundation, and Cynthia LaPrise and her family started EMMA Acres Farm, which is a member of Agri-Mark and Rhody Fresh. EMMA Acres Farm won the Green Pasture Award in 2010.

The Bailey family is also very active with their local 4-H chapter, which introduces young people to agriculture. While growing up in the 1970s, all four of their children were members of 4-H. Today, six of their grandchildren have been involved in 4-H since 1999 and have shown their Jersey, Red, and White Holstein cows. Three granddaughters have been active members of Future Farmers of America and have served as chapter and state officers. Bailey Brook Farm is one of 15 dairy farms remaining in the state.

The Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year award is sponsored by the New England Green Pastures Committee, made up of agricultural interests such as state and federal agricultural offices and farm organizations. Rhode Island’s Green Pastures Committee is coordinated by DEM’s Division of Agriculture and the RI Agricultural Council, with members including the RI Dairy Farmers Cooperative, the RI Farm Bureau, the RI Farm Service Agency, and the Agri-Mark Cooperative.

July 24, 2013 0 comment
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chefs & restaurantsnews

Eye Cookies Wins Rhode Island Food Fights Spectacular Cookie Smackdown

by David Dadekian December 9, 2012
written by David Dadekian
First place winner Eye Cookies' Katrin Schnippering's daughter, Schnippering and award-designer Gail Ahlers

First place winner Eye Cookies’ Katrin Schnippering’s daughter, Schnippering and award-designer Gail Ahlers

The third RI Food Fights event, the Spectacular Cookie Smackdown, took place this past Sunday, December 9, 2012. A sold out crowd descended upon Fête in Providence to sample the best cookies in Rhode Island. Fifteen area bakers competed to see who had the greatest cookie, according to a panel of four culinary judges (which included this writer), along with competing for the People’s Choice. Three awards, created by Ahlers Designs, and an honorable mention were announced by the time cookie devouring ended.

According to judges Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, Chef Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections and David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI. First place went to Eye Cookies, a custom-order cookie baker from Barrington, for their “Gangnam Style” frosted chocolate cookie. Second place went to Dizzie Lizzie’s Cookies of Warwick for a their salted oatmeal, chocolate chip, pecan cookie. The judges’ Honorable Mention went to Flour Girls Baking Company of nearby Marion, Massachusetts and the People’s Choice award went to Kami Cakes of Johnston for their macaron. Congratulations to all the winners.

The Spectacular Cookie Smackdown at Fête

The Spectacular Cookie Smackdown at Fête

RI Food Fights was created and produced by Jim Nellis. Mike Ritz and John Taraborelli very entertainingly hosted the event, and Jess Powers of Fête provided the very important task of cookie delivery to the judging stage.

 

 

 

 

Eye Cookies' first place winning cookie "Gangnam Style"

Eye Cookies’ first place winning cookie “Gangnam Style”

December 9, 2012 0 comment
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cookingnews

Rhode Island’s own Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco Wins the 2012 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off

by David Dadekian October 21, 2012
written by David Dadekian
Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco with her $10,000 Grand Prize for winning the 2012 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off. Photo courtesy of HP Hood

Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco with her $10,000 Grand Prize for winning the 2012 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off. Photo courtesy of HP Hood

Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco of North Kingstown, R.I. was the grand prize winner at Sunday’s 4th Annual Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off which was held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. LaRocco won $10,000 for her Cranberry Limóncello Tarts in a Gingersnap Hazelnut Crust.

LaRocco lives with her husband and two children and has competed in all four years of the Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off. During her four years of entering the competition LaRocco also earned her Ph.D. in Education from a joint program with Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island.

As a judge for the event, Eat Drink RI’s David Dadekian recorded an interview with LaRocco.

Eat Drink RI: Where did you learn to cook and get your love of cooking?

Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco: I moved to Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1996 and at that time if you wanted to eat something in Bosnia you had to go learn how to cook it. So I learned how to cook living over there where everything had to be done from scratch from seasonal ingredients. When I came back to the States that became my hobby.

EDRI: When did you move to Rhode Island?

MJFL: We’ve been in Rhode Island for ten years and fell in love with [Rhode Island]. We love the Ocean State. We feel like we’ve been her forever. It’s very special, especially tonight because I’ve been part of Hood [New England Dairy Cook-Off] for four years and it’s great to win in Rhode Island.

LaRocco's winning dish Cranberry Limoncello Tarts in a Gingersnap Hazelnut Crust

LaRocco’s winning dish Cranberry Limoncello Tarts in a Gingersnap Hazelnut Crust

EDRI: How did you do the first three years of the Cook-Off?

The first year [of the Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off] I cooked in the semi-final round, the second year I was a finalist that came in third place, last year I didn’t win my category and then this year we were able to take the whole thing.

EDRI: How did you come up with your winning dish?

MJFL: Honestly, it was a late night inspiration. The night before the Hood deadline, I was sitting down, dreaming up what am I going to come up with and I just created it. I love fall ingredients and I like to use local things: cranberries, maple syrup. I think lemons and cranberries complement each other and the ginger snaps is a nice touch for a holiday dish.

The following is the news release from HP Hood following the Sunday, October 21 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off.

“As always, the Cook-Off was an exciting and fun event and we enjoyed meeting all of the semifinalists and their supporters. They put such passion into their recipes and it really showed,” said Lynne Bohan, Vice President of Public Relations, HP Hood. “The recipes gave our judges a challenge in selecting a winner but ultimately, Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco recipe best met all of the judging criteria. The Cranberry Limoncello Tarts were a great combination of creativity and amazing presentation.”

The competition began at 7:30 a.m. when 30 semifinalists competed in their individual categories. The five categories were: breakfast/brunch, soups/chowders, appetizers/side dishes, lunch/dinner (entrée) and dessert. One amateur chef from each New England state competed in each category. Competitors had 60 minutes to prepare and plate their dishes. All recipes were original and included at least one Hood dairy product and were judged based on taste appeal, presentation/appearance, and creativity/originality.

By 6:30 p.m., a panel of judges helped narrow the field from 30 semifinalists to five finalists. They were:

  • Breakfast/Brunch: Jean Dziedzinski of Chelmsford, MA – Late Summer Layered Crustless Quiche
  • Soups/Chowders: Kevin Towle of Gonic, NH – Heaven & Hell Chowder
  • Appetizers/Side Dishes: Forrest White of Williston, VT – Acorn Squash’n’Blossom Fritter with Vichyssoise Shooter
  • Lunch/Dinner (Entrée): William Gillard of Damariscotta, ME – Ocean Bounty Creamery
  • Dessert: Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco of North Kingston, RI – Cranberry Limóncello Tarts in a Gingersnap Hazelnut Crust

Billy Costa from the New England Cable News show ” TV Diner” hosted the event as the finalists went head-to-head in front of a live audience for the $10,000 grand prize. Shaw’s Supermarket was once again the Official Supermarket of the event.

The final round judges included Celebrity Chef Michele Ragussis; Chef Branden J. Lewis, Instructor, Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts; Peggy Poole, Vice President of Quality Systems and Regulatory Affairs, HP Hood; Cindy Salvato, Chef and founder of Savoring Rhode Island culinary walking tours; and David Dadekian, Eat Drink RI.

Each of the semi-finalists received a prize of $100; each of the finalists, except for the winner, received $500.

from left to right: host Billy Costa, judge David Dadekian, judge Michele Ragussis; winner Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco, judge Peggy Poole, HP Hood Brand Manager Patrick Maguire, host Rick Tarantino and judge Cindy Salvato. Not pictured, judge Branden Lewis. Photo courtesy of Rob LaRocco

from left to right: host Billy Costa, judge David Dadekian, judge Michele Ragussis; winner Mary Jo Fletcher LaRocco, judge Peggy Poole, HP Hood Brand Manager Patrick Maguire, host Rick Tarantino and judge Cindy Salvato. Not pictured, judge Branden Lewis. Photo courtesy of Rob LaRocco

Prior to being named a judge, Dadekian worked with and received compensation from HP Hood to promote the New England Dairy Cook-Off.

October 21, 2012 0 comment
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cookingnews

Giveaway: Hotel Stay and Two VIP Tickets to the 2012 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off

by David Dadekian October 4, 2012
written by David Dadekian

It’s time for one lucky reader to win the Ultimate Prize Package Giveaway from HP Hood.

Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off

The Ultimate Prize Package includes:

  • Two VIP tickets to the 2012 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off®
  • One night’s hotel accommodations at the Providence Marriott Downtown, arriving on Saturday, October 20, and checking out on Sunday, October 21.
  • One copy of the 2011 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off® cookbook, with the recipes from last year’s competition, including the Grand Prize winning recipe, Surf and Turf Sliders with Maine Lobster Sauce

The 2012 Hood New England Dairy Cook-Off® takes place Sunday, October 21. There are semi-final rounds in the morning through mid-afternoon, a VIP reception from 5 – 6- p.m., opening remarks from emcee Billy Costa of NECN’s TV Diner, and then the main event: the cook-off with ten thousand dollars on the line for one lucky and talented New England home cook.

To enter, please leave a comment below for each of the following.

  • Leave a comment on this post with the name of your favorite HP Hood Dairy product.
  • Please follow @hphood on Twitter, then let me know in an additional comment here that you’ve followed them.
  • Like HP Hood on Facebook, then let me know in an additional comment here that you’ve liked them.

This gives each person up to three chances to win. At the end of the entry period a random number will be chosen, and that number comment will win the Ultimate Prize Package.

The contest is open to residents of New England, and does not include travel to Providence, R.I., so you must be able to get yourself to the event. The Providence Marriott Downtown does provide free parking. The contest will be open through Monday, October 8 at 11:59pm EDT. The winner will be emailed by noon EDT on Tuesday, October 9. If the winner does not respond within 24 hours, another winner will be selected. Good luck!

Eat Drink RI is working with and receiving compensation from HP Hood to promote the New England Dairy Cook-Off.

October 4, 2012 0 comment
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