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Ellie’s Bakery Wins Rhode Island Food Fights The Spectacular Cookie Smackdown 2013

by David Dadekian December 8, 2013

written by David Dadekian

Eye Cookies “Baking Bad” cookie

The fourth Rhode Island Food Fights event of 2013, The Spectacular Cookie Smackdown, was held this past Sunday, December 8th at Fête in Providence. Eleven area restaurants specializing in cookies and sweet treats competed to see who had the best, according to a panel of four culinary judges (which included this writer), along with competing for the People’s Choice. Three trophies, created by Ahlers Designs, were awarded to the winners, along with gift cards donated by Whole Foods Market Providence.

According to judges Chef Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, Shawna Lawton of Whole Foods Market, Chef Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande and David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI, first place went to Ellie’s Bakery of Providence for their lime glazed sugar cookie. A very close second place went to last year’s champion, Eye Cookies of Barrington, for their “Baking Bad” cookie. People’s Choice was awarded to Woonsocket’s own Under the Olive Tree. Congratulations to all the winners.

RI Food Fights was created and produced by Jim Nellis. John Taraborelli and Mike “Dink Martindale” Ritz entertainingly hosted the event.

Winners of The Spectacular Cookie Smackdown, Ellie’s Bakery. Holding trophy is Ellie’s baker Danielle Lowe, to her left is owner Ellen Slattery with her two children (and Santa!), to the right are Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark and judges Chefs Andrew Shotts and Maria Meza

December 8, 2013 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

Ladder 133 Sports Bar & Grill Wins Rhode Island Food Fights Lord of the Wings 2013

by David Dadekian October 20, 2013

written by David Dadekian

The third Rhode Island Food Fights event of 2013, the Lord of the Wings, was held this past Sunday, October 20th at Fête in Providence. Seven area restaurants specializing in chicken wings competed to see who had the best, according to a panel of three culinary judges (which included this writer), along with competing for the People’s Choice. Three awards, created by Ahlers Designs, were given out and for the second time at a RI Food Fights event there was a tie.

According to judges Chef Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, Shawna Lawton of Whole Foods Market and David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI, first place went to Ladder 133 Sports Bar & Grill for their House BBQ Wings. Second place went to South Street Café in Providence for their Lemon Pepper Wings. Underscoring the judges’ choices, People’s Choice was a tie between Ladder 133 and South Street Café. Other competitors included, Boneheads Wings Bar, Trinity Brewhouse, Wes’ Rib House and Wings Over Providence. Congratulations to both of the winners.

Ladder 133 Sports Bar & Grill, First Place winners at the Lord of the Wings

South Street Café, Second Place winners at Lord of the Wings

The winners’ artwork, created by Ahlers Designs

October 20, 2013 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

Gracie’s hosts the region’s most celebrated chefs for dinner benefiting Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign – UPDATED

by guest October 16, 2013

written by guest

The chefs for the No Kid Hungry Providence Dinner (from left to right): Keith Luce, Matthew Varga, Evan Mallett, Matt Gennuso and Melissa Denmark

Gracie’s hosts the region’s most celebrated chefs for dinner benefiting Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign

On November 11, the region’s most celebrated chefs will gather at Gracie’s to prepare a multi-course dinner for a cause: ending childhood hunger in the United States. This is the second time the AAA Four Diamond award-winning restaurant will partner with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign to support its efforts to ensure every child has the healthy food they need, every day.

Gracie’s own Chef Matthew Varga and Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark will be joined by chefs Keith Luce of Main Restaurant, Greenport, NY; Evan Mallett of Black Trumpet Bistro, Portsmouth, NH; and Matt Gennuso of Chez Pascal, Providence, RI. The theme for the dinner is a focus on seasonal root vegetables.

“Roots are not always visible, but they are the most important part of every living thing,” said Varga. We are helping to build a foundation from which children can grow – access to nutrient rich foods to feed their bodies and minds, a strong support system to guide them every step of the way, and an education to ensure they have the knowledge to make our world a better place.”

Guests will enjoy a one of a kind dining experience and by doing so, help to raise funds for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

“Our featured chefs are dedicated to the No Kid Hungry campaign and have participated in many dinners,” said Ellen Slattery, proprietor of Gracie’s and Ellie’s Bakery. “This is the second dinner we’ve hosted at Gracie’s. The first was in 2007 and we are so proud to once again partner with the organization and to showcase the incredible collaboration and culinary talents of the chefs involved.”

Reservations may be made at http://ce.strength.org/events/no-kid-hungry-providence-dinner or through Joe Allegro at joeallegro@strength.org or 917-834-5335. RSVP required, space is limited.

About Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Seated Dinners:

Share Our Strength’s national series of No Kid Hungry dinners are hosted by renowned chefs who join together with their peers to prepare multi-course meals with a cause: ending childhood hunger in the United States. Select events feature guest speakers and unique culinary, travel and lifestyle auctions. Since 2005, Share Our Strength dinners have raised nearly $7 million to support the work of the No Kid Hungry campaign, including starting and improving school breakfast programs, recruiting summer meals sites and teaching families how to shop for and prepare healthy meals on a limited budget. To learn more about the No Kid Hungry campaign and dinner series, please visit NoKidHungry.org.

October 16, 2013 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

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

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 comment

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