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Garrison

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Eat Drink RI presents Aphrodisia at The Drawing Room – An Evening of Oysters, Beer & Chocolate

by David Dadekian February 2, 2015
written by David Dadekian

[ESPRESSO_TICKET_SELECTOR event_id=’8357′]
UPDATE: Due to repeated snowstorms and rescheduling events, we regretfully have to cancel Thursday’s Aphrodisia event. We appreciate your interest. Check the Events page for information on the February 13th Shuckolate event at Bottles in Providence.

Eat Drink RI presents Aphrodisia at The Drawing Room - An Evening of Oysters, Beer & ChocolateJoin Rhode Island’s own Foolproof Brewing Company of Pawtucket, Garrison Confections of Central Falls and Walrus and Carpenter Oysters of Charlestown for Aphrodisia, a pre-Valentine’s Day sampling at The Drawing Room in Providence on Thursday, February 12th from 7 – 10 p.m.

These three local food and drink companies recently collaborated on a limited edition, seasonal beer release called Shuckolate, a chocolate oyster stout that they’ll be sampling at the event along with other items.

Your $20 admission to the event ($25 admission at the door) will include:

  • three freshly shucked oysters from Walrus and Carpenter
  • a flight of your choice of three Foolproof Brewing Company beers: Shuckolate, Backyahd IPA and La Ferme Urbaine (flight is three 4 oz. pours)
  • two-piece box of Garrison Confections chocolate

There will also be music, a create-your-own handmade Valentine’s Station and a Valentine’s Day Photo Booth.

In addition to the samples available with your admission, guests will be able to additionally purchase the following for $5 each: three freshly-shucked oysters, or a flight of 3 bonbons, or handcrafted hot chocolate.

Also at the event, Walrus and Carpenter Oysters will be offering oysters harvested that day for sale to take home for your Valentine’s Day (or otherwise) pleasure: 25 for $30, 50 for $60, or 100 for $100. Garrison Confections will be selling boxes of chocolates from the 14th Annual Legendary Lovers Collection: 12 for $25 and 24 for $45.

February 2, 2015 0 comments
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chefs & restaurantsnews

Help the Central Falls Chess Team Get to the 2013 Supernationals and Win Chocolate from Garrison Confections

by David Dadekian March 26, 2013
written by David Dadekian
Central Falls Chess Team

Central Falls Chess Team

Beginning Wednesday, March 27 you can register to play in an online chess tournament, with prizes from world-class chocolate producer Garrison Confections, all to benefit the Central Falls Chess Team. The registration fees and other donations will be used to send the team to the 2013 Supernationals.

The Central Falls Chess Team has won 11 State High School and 12 State Middle School Championships in the past 13 years. They have attended 6 national tournaments, scoring in the top 10 each time they’ve competed. The Supernationals are held every four years and are in Nashville, Tennessee from April 5th to 7th and the Central Falls team needs your help to get there.

From the Garrison Confections registration page:

Sign up to play in our ONLINE Tournament to help send them back this year!

The rules are fairly basic:

  • $25 entry fee — 100% of proceeds goes directly to team
  • All matches are played ONLINE and need to be completed within 48 hrs of scheduled time.
  • Winners of each match move on in the tournament. Loser is out.
  • WINNER of tournament will receive FOUR $125 Chocolate Gift Baskets courtesy of Garrison Confections
  • There will also be a random drawing from ALL entrants and donators for a 24 piece Seasonal Collection valued at $42 from Garrison Collections

Garrison Confections is Andrew Shotts line of artisanal chocolates, based in Central Falls. Shotts also gave back to Central Falls last year during Mike Ritz’s Save Chocolateville campaign. Sign up here to play chess or just make a donation to the Central Falls Chess Team.

March 26, 2013 0 comments
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news

Save Chocolateville chocolate bar to raise funds for Central Falls

by David Dadekian February 3, 2012
written by David Dadekian

ChocolatevilleMike Ritz was concerned about Central Falls. The smallest city in the smallest state has been in receivership for almost two years and filed for bankruptcy last August. Ritz was trying to come up with a fundraiser for the economically depressed city when he came upon chocolate.

Turns out, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Central Falls was the regional center for chocolate manufacturing and was colloquially known as “Chocolateville.” Ritz knew that one of the country’s best chocolatiers, Andrew Shotts, had set up his Garrison Confections factory in Central Falls a few years ago so Ritz contacted Shotts to see about creating the Save Chocolateville dark chocolate bar.

Initially Ritz was using the bar to raise awareness, handing them out while dressed in a Willy Wonka-esque outfit, but as the project took shape it was quickly apparent that the 3.5 oz. high-quality dark chocolate bar could be sold to the public to raise funds. Bonnie Frechette, Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market University Heights said she saw Ritz’s Willy Wonka photos posted online and “thought it would be a great idea to sell the bar to raise money.”

Mike Ritz as Willy Wonka

Mike Ritz as Willy Wonka

Part of Frechette’s mission at Whole Foods Market is to support the community. She said, “We found a way to make it work in a short time frame because we were going into the biggest chocolate holiday of the year [Valentine’s Day].” The bar is being sold as a complete donation—100% of the proceeds collected by Whole Foods Market will be going to Save Chocolateville to go to children in need in Central Falls.

The bars will be on sale beginning Tuesday, February 7. Frechette said she was interested “to see what the community reaction is. If it goes well perhaps that gives Mike & Drew the opportunity to make it a regular product.” Frechette plans on the bar selling at the store through Easter.

Ritz’s Chocolateville web site calls the Save Chocolateville initiative “a localized call-to-action . . . a modern day ‘barn raising’ . . . a collaborative, inside-outside effort to resurrect the spirit of ingenuity and community. The impact of revitalizing Chocolateville will be felt far beyond the city’s borders, removing the financial burden on the state, empowering the people of Central Falls, and doing the ‘greatest good for the greatest number.'”

Purchasing the chocolate bar is an easy (and delicious) way to support the initiative. In addition to being on sale at Whole Foods Market University Heights through Easter, Save Chocolateville will have a table set up at the I HEART PROVIDENCE event and will be highlighted at Whole Foods Market’s annual Chocolate Fest! Details are listed below.

UPDATE: “Rhody Food Tours has donated free food tours of the amazing culinary ethnic-food landscape of Central Falls, RI, to those lucky enough to obtain golden tickets randomly included inside Save Chocolateville chocolate bars. Your first opportunity to win is Tuesday, February 7 at the launch party at Whole Foods Market University Heights.”

Chocolateville Launch Party – Tuesday, February 7, 5 – 7 p.m. Come meet Mike Ritz and/or Willy Wonka and discuss helping Central Falls while also helping to “wrap” the Save Chocolateville bars. Whole Foods Market University Heights, 601 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

I HEART PROVIDENCE – Thursday, February 9, 6 – 8 p.m. Celebrate our great city! Live music by Northern Lands. Complimentary food from Ebisu, El Rancho Grande, Fertile Underground, Hudson Street Deli, Los Andes, Sin Desserts, Tip C Cupcakes, Whole Foods, and more! Cash bar by RI Convention Center Catering. This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Providence City Hall, 25 Dorrance St., Providence, RI 02903.

Whole Foods Chocolate Fest! – Friday, February 10, 5 – 7 p.m. Whole Foods Market University Heights, 601 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

Save Chocolateville bar wrapper designed by Casey Spencer
February 3, 2012 0 comments
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chefs & restaurantsnews

Share Our Strength A Tasteful Pursuit Dinner at Al Forno in Providence, RI

by David Dadekian March 5, 2010
written by David Dadekian
from left to right: Chef Champe Speidel of Persimmon, Chef Walter Potenza of Walter's Ristorante d'Italia, Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta Restaurant, Chef David Reynoso of Al Forno, Chef Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections and Chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia

from left to right: Chef Champe Speidel of Persimmon, Chef Walter Potenza of Walter's Ristorante d'Italia, Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta Restaurant, Chef David Reynoso of Al Forno, Chef Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections and Chef Tony Mantuano of Spiaggia

Monday evening, March 1, was a Share Our Strength A Tasteful Pursuit dinner in Providence, hosted at Al Forno. Share Our Strength has a plan to end childhood hunger by 2015. It’s a great organization with a clearly wonderful goal. Please visit their web site to learn more and to donate. There were too many delicious things served over the course of the evening to list them all. A few are pictured here. I wish I had more of Chef Tony Mantuano‘s Hors D’ouevres. The Mini Sopresada Puffs and Duck Pinchos with Harissa and Sumac were perfect bites full of flavor. Chef Walter Potenza‘s Pasticcio con “Stracotto” di Vitello e Fonduta was deliciously heavy—a perfect mix of veal, pasta & cheese.

If I had to pick a single item that I loved it would be Chef Champe Speidel‘s Braised Lamb Rillette. His entire dish was great, but that Rillette was perfect. I definitely would have devoured more of that. I also want to mention the wines selected by M.S. Walker‘s Michael Lester. Lester often makes great selections, but it’s rare that two wines in one evening really stand out for me. These were the Produttori del Barbaresco Torre 2005 and the Jaboulet Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge “Les Cedres” 2005.

Al Forno's Chef David Reynoso pulling fresh bread from the oven

Al Forno's Chef David Reynoso pulling fresh bread from the oven

Taranta's Chef Jose Duarte plating his Jonah Crabmeat Causa

Taranta's Chef Jose Duarte plating his Jonah Crabmeat Causa

the completed Jonah Crabmeat Causa

the completed Jonah Crabmeat Causa

Chefs Walter Potenza, Tony Mantuano and Jose Duarte

Chefs Walter Potenza, Tony Mantuano and Jose Duarte

Chef Champe Speidel's Slow Roasted Lamb Saddle and Braised Lamb Rillette

Chef Champe Speidel's Slow Roasted Lamb Saddle and Braised Lamb Rillette

Share Our Strength's Director of Culinary Events Joe Allegro with Chef David Reynoso and Providence Mayor David Cicilline

Share Our Strength's Director of Culinary Events Joe Allegro with Chef David Reynoso and Providence Mayor David Cicilline

quail eggs

March 5, 2010 0 comments
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