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Eat Drink RI Festival: April 25 – 28, 2018 | All-Local Celebration of Everything Edible returns for a 7th Year

by David Dadekian May 6, 2018
written by David Dadekian

Eat Drink RI Festival logo

The 7th 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 offers a brand new wine tasting experience, the return of Dinner by Dames, the largest food truck event in the area, and culminates with the Grand Tasting, an All-Local Tasting featuring even more culinary & beverage presentations than before. Tickets and more information can be found at eatdrinkri.com/festival.

This year’s festival kicks off with Rhode Island’s first Sommelier Smackdown at the gorgeous, newly renovated Café at Easy Entertaining! This brand new event is co-hosted by Certified Sommeliers Ian Magiros of M.S. Walker and Jonathan Feiler of Rhode Island Distributing. The Smackdown will pit Certified Sommeliers Justin Bothur of Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn, Alan Freudeman of Gracie’s, Ali Innes of bin 312 wine cellar, and Alí Quero of Los Andes against each other in a wine theory quiz, a blind wine tasting, and a food & wine pairing collaboration with a local chef. Guests will vote on the fan favorite pairing and judges will tally the points of all three components of the competition to decide who reigns supreme in RI’s wine world. Tickets include wine tastings, food & wine pairing, and hors d’oeuvres.

One of Rhode Island’s most popular dining series, Dinner by Dames, returns on the Thursday evening of the Festival. This dining experience brings together five of Rhode Island’s most talented chefs—Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s and Ellie’s Bakery, Jordan Goldsmith of Moonrose Farm, Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Ashley Vanasse of Easy Entertaining Inc. and Jessica Wood of Fire and Water Restaurant Group—for a multi-course dining event. For the 2018 Eat Drink RI Festival three guest chef Dames are joining the team: Lisa Lofberg of Little Moss, Rebecca Lentrichia of Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel and Caitlyn McGuire of Ellie’s Bakery.

To make the evening that much more special, Jen Davis of The Eddy, along with a group of RI’s top bartenders—Cassie Coutard of Courtland Club and New Harvest Coffee & Spirits, Megan Freitas, Sam Royds of Gracie’s, Elizabeth Sawtelle of Nicks on Broadway, Britt Simons of Persimmon and Kayleigh Speck of The East End—are creating cocktail pairings for each course with spirits very kindly provided by Origin Beverage Co. Dinner by Dames will once again be held at the beautiful Skyline at Waterplace in downtown Providence. In addition, Dinner by Dames coincides with this year’s Paint the Town RED to benefit AIDS Care Ocean State and Eat Drink RI is proud to donate a portion of Dames proceeds to ACOS.

Every year the Truck Stop to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank continues to grow! The event is back at the Food Bank’s huge lot in Providence with twenty-three mobile food vendors and a trio of local beverage greats! This sixth annual Truck Stop showcases even more of the excellence and variety of Rhode Island’s mobile restaurants, features local musicians the Superchief Trio, and also benefits an organization dedicated to ending hunger. Trucks include: Citizen Wing, Friskie Fries, GottaQ Smokehouse BBQ, Noble Knots, Portu-Galo and more.

The Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting features samplings of over sixty locally produced beer, wine & spirits, as well as an abundance of local food artisans in Hall D of the Rhode Island Convention Center. Grand Tasting participants include: American Mussel Harvesters, Jonathan Edwards Winery, Los Andes, Narragansett Creamery, Revival Brewing Company, Seven Stars Bakery, Yacht Club Soda and so many more.

During the Tasting there will be all-new local food & drink presentations on the Frigidaire Professional Presentation Stage sponsored and provided by Wickford Appliance featuring Rhode Island’s top chefs paired with a local producer to wow attendees with some of the best food in the country, all included with admission to the Grand Tasting.

  • Easy Entertaining’s Chef Ashley Vanasse and Narragansett Creamery’s Pattie & Mark Federico
  • Nicks on Broadway’s Chef Derek Wagner and Blackbird Farm’s Ann Marie Bouthillette
  • Tallulah’s Taqueria’s Chef Jake Rojas and American Mussel Harvesters

In addition, a 2nd food & drink presentation area has been added at this year’s Grand Tasting. Get a floor-level, up-close look at the detail work & techniques of these chefs and artisans with this more interactive and intimate show area.

  • Pastaio’s Chef Adam Baffoni on Pasta
  • Ellie’s Bakery’s Chefs Melissa Denmark and Caitlyn McGuire on Decorating Desserts
  • El Rancho Grande’s Joaquin Meza on Cocktails

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.

May 6, 2018 0 comment
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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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GaGa Wins Rhode Island Food Fights Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown

by David Dadekian July 23, 2012
written by David Dadekian
Inside Alex and Ani’s Teas and Javas's ice cream cart

Inside Alex and Ani’s Teas and Javas’s ice cream cart

The second RI Food Fights event, the Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown, took place this past Saturday, July 21, 2012. A sold out crowd descended upon the Wayland Square neighborhood in Providence to sample the best ice creams in Rhode Island. Eleven area ice cream makers competed to see who had the greatest frozen dessert treat according to a panel of three culinary judges (which included this writer) and the People’s Choice. Three awards, created by Ahlers Designs, and two honorable mentions were announced by the time the three hours of ice cream eating had come to a close.

It was a very close score between first and second place according to judges Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections and David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI. First place went to GaGa for their Lemon SherBetter, sold in a number of area stores. Second place, as well as People’s Choice, went to Three Sisters of Hope St. in Providence for their Kulfi ice cream, an almond base with cardamom, cinnamon and pistachios. The judges Honorable Mention went to The Inside Scoop‘s Turtle Chocolate Chip and the People’s Honorable Mention went to Bliss/Munroe Dairy for Graham Central Station. Congratulations to all the winners.

RI Food Fights was created and produced by Jim Nellis and Casey Spencer. John Taraborelli ably and entertainingly hosted the event, and Kristen Minsky was the fabulous Ice Cream Hostess. The other competitors were Savory Scoop Ice Cream, Ben and Jerry’s Eastside, DeCiantis Ice Cream, Teas and Javas, Mr. Nick’s Gelato and Ice Cream, Newport Creamery and Like No Udder.

First place winners from GaGa along with Kristen Minsky (in red) and host John Taraborelli (on right). GaGa President/CEO Jim King in light blue.

First place winners from GaGa along with Kristen Minsky (in red) and host John Taraborelli (on right). GaGa President/CEO Jim King in light blue.

Second place and People's Choice First Place winners from Three Sisters

Second place and People’s Choice First Place winners from Three Sisters

The award plates created by Ahlers Designs, Inc.

The award plates created by Ahlers Designs, Inc.

Three Sisters ice cream cart

Three Sisters ice cream cart

July 23, 2012 0 comment
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chefs & restaurantscookingnewswine & drinks

Gracie’s Chosen Again to Showcase Rainier Cherries for Northwest Cherries’ Tree-to-Table

by David Dadekian July 20, 2012
written by David Dadekian
Gracie's Rainier Cherry dessert: Almond Nougat Semifreddo, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Balsamic Rainier Cherries, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cherry Ganache and a Chocolate Balsamic Drizzle

Gracie’s Rainier Cherry dessert: Almond Nougat Semifreddo, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Balsamic Rainier Cherries, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cherry Ganache and a Chocolate Balsamic Drizzle

For the second year in a row, Northwest Cherries has commissioned Gracie’s restaurant in Providence to represent Rhode Island while celebrating the Rainier cherry. As part of the annual Northwest Cherries’ Tree-to-Table event one restaurant in each state is asked to create a unique menu offering featuring Rainier cherries. The cherry is regarded for its “crisp bite and pale yellow flesh bursting with exceptional sweetness.” Gracie’s is incorporating Rainier cherries into a specialty cocktail as well as two dinner selections, all of which will be available for the month of July and through August, as long as this year’s Rainier cherry crop lasts.

Gracie’s Executive Chef Matthew Varga loves using the Rainier cherries, calling them, “little pieces of sun-kissed perfection.” Varga added, “The Rainier cherries are excellent. We’re really honored to be selected again for this year. We were thinking about how were we going to use them again. Last year we used them on one of the entrees, the duck. I really wanted to work them into a first course. Typically we do a tomato salad first course this time of year. I thought I could play around with the same flavors with the cherries as with the tomatoes. So I went backwards. I started with what would I do with tomatoes and then I switched it.

“So we have arugula, which Jeffrey grows just for us, the stracciatella cheese is from Fiore Di Nonno in Somerville, Massachusetts, Marcona almonds and balsamic vinegar add that acidity and nuttiness. I like the play of the Rainier cherries and the Bing cherries. You get the sweetness and crunch from the Rainier cherries and you get that really nice soft texture, sweet and almost tart from the Bing. They really play well with each other and as you can see the colors are just amazing. The almond butter is Marcona almonds and milk, cooked in a pressure cooker and pureed. The balsamic pearls and balsamic gel are set with agar, a seaweed gelatin, and they act as the vinaigrette. There are whole Marcona almonds toasted in olive oil, and also on the plate as a nougatine, cooked in a little bit of sugar and corn syrup. It sets like a brittle and then it’s blended.

“You’ve got creaminess, sweetness, acidity, nuttiness and nice pepperiness from that arugula. You don’t need a lot of it because it is really spicy, but when you pick it up with the sweetness of the cherries and the creaminess of the cheese it really works well. I use a single estate extra-virgin olive oil from Tuscany, not too spicy, a little grassy.”

Gracie’s owner Ellen Gracyalny also offered this about the Rainier cherry event, “It’s such a great time of year to promote Rainier cherries in Rhode Island because it’s Providence Restaurant Week. We have had so many people coming through the doors who love Rainier cherries. One table the other night ordered the cocktail and both dishes as part of their three-course dinner.”

Gracie’s Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark created the Rainier cherry dessert pictured here (above and below). It’s a beautiful plate composed of Almond Nougat Semifreddo, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Balsamic Rainier Cherries, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cherry Ganache and a Chocolate Balsamic Drizzle.

Jason Wessel, Gracie’s Wine & Spirits Director, has used the Rainier cherries to create the Mt. Rainier Cocktail. “Classic flavors of caramelized apricot in the Cognac complemented by the subtle sweetness of a dash of Herring cherry liqueur and cherry bitters. Stone fruit flavors fortified and softened by a slightly sweet portion of apricot liqueur. All fruit spirits invigorated by fine bubbles generously added with Cava, a dry sparkler from Spain.”

Wessel’s cocktail recipe follows at the end, after these photos of the Gracie’s dishes. You can find photos of last year’s Rainier cherry dishes from Gracie’s here.

Gracie's Rainier Cherry Salad featuring Stracciatella cheese, wild arugula, aged balsamic, and Marcona almonds

Gracie’s Rainier Cherry Salad featuring Stracciatella cheese, wild arugula, aged balsamic, and Marcona almonds

Gracie's Rainier Cherry dessert: Almond Nougat Semifreddo, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Balsamic Rainier Cherries, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cherry Ganache and a Chocolate Balsamic Drizzle

Gracie’s Rainier Cherry dessert: Almond Nougat Semifreddo, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Balsamic Rainier Cherries, Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cherry Ganache and a Chocolate Balsamic Drizzle

Gracie's Rainier Cherry Salad featuring Stracciatella cheese, wild arugula, aged balsamic, and Marcona almonds

Gracie’s Rainier Cherry Salad featuring Stracciatella cheese, wild arugula, aged balsamic, and Marcona almonds

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:2]

July 20, 2012 0 comment
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