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governor

Open House at the State House 2019 Inaugural Event

by David Dadekian January 3, 2019

Join the Governor for a Free Food & Drink Tasting on Saturday, January 5th

Eat Drink RI is proud to present the second Open House at the State House, hosted by Governor Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit, on the Saturday following the Governor’s second inauguration. The event will feature tastings from Rhode Island restaurants and food and beverage producers, as well as performances from a diverse variety of local groups. Admission is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

“We’re excited to host the Open House at the State House, and invite all Rhode Islanders to join in the celebration,” said Governor Gina Raimondo and her husband Andy Moffit. “After the Open House, all Rhode Islanders are welcome to head to The Providence Rink at Alex and Ani City Center for a free skate.”

“I was happy to be asked to produce the Open House at the State House for a second time,” said Eat Drink RI’s David Dadekian. “As every Rhode Islander knows, we have some of the best food and drink in the world here. To showcase a slice of it in the ‘People’s House,’ perhaps the most majestic location for a tasting ever, is a great experience.”

WHAT: Open House at the State House 2019

Admission is free with a suggested donation of a non-perishable food item to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

WHEN: Saturday, January 5, 2019, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE: Rhode Island State House, 82 Smith St., Providence, RI

WHO: Open House restaurants and food & beverage producers:

Photos from the 2015 Open House at the State House can be found on Eat Drink RI’s Facebook album: https://www.facebook.com/328156047280490/photos/?tab=album&album_id=906604892768933

January 3, 2019 0 comment

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey

News Bites: Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Wins Award / Truck Stop to benefit the RI Community Food Bank Fundraising / Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Grants

by David Dadekian May 9, 2019

written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Wins Gold at World Whiskies Awards

The Rhode Island Distillery Earned Gold For Its Limited Release Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits took home a Gold medal in the American Flavored Whiskey category for their limited-edition Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey. This continues Sons of Liberty’s title as New England’s most awarded distillery and marks the 9th award received from the prestigious Whisky Magazine’s World Whiskies Awards since 2014.
Sons of Liberty’s Maple Finished Bourbon Whiskey was a limited release in the Fall of 2017, but there are plans to do another, larger release in the future. Starting with their standard Bourbon Whiskey, distilled from 100% Rhode Island grown corn and aged in new American Oak barrels, they finish the whiskey for an additional 10 months in barrels that were used to age maple syrup.

“Finishing the whiskey this way, instead of just adding maple syrup, allowed us to incorporate a subtle maple flavor that did not ruin the integrity of the whiskey, rather just enhanced its overall complexity,” said Sons of Liberty founder Mike Reppucci.

Single Barrel Cellar (Wakefield, MA) focuses on the production of small batch barrel-aged artisanal goods. One of their products, a barrel aged maple syrup, was aged in Sons of Liberty’s ex-Bourbon barrels. When complete, Sons of Liberty takes those barrels back to use in finishing their Bourbon Whiskey. Brad Coyle, Single Barrel Cellar co-founder said of the whiskey, “We were blown away with how smooth and clean the whiskey turned out. We really liked how the maple didn’t overpower the whiskey but complemented it. We were extremely honored to be part of creating an award-winning whiskey with Sons of Liberty.”

Sons of Liberty continues to distribute their standard offerings, most notably their Uprising and Battle Cry Single Malts, but their limited release products have been garnering increasing recognition. “We like to play,” said Reppucci. “It’s fun to introduce new iterations and styles of products and see how the market responds to them. It’s a great test to see if we should make a limited product more widely available.”

Truck Stop Benefit Raises $150,000 for RI Community Food Bank

More than 600 people attended the event featuring gourmet tastings from 23 local food trucks.

Eat Drink RI Festival 2018 Truck Stop, photo by David Dadekian

Last Friday ‘s Truck Stop event at the Rhode Island Food Bank raised more than $150,000 to support the Food Bank’s ongoing efforts to feed hungry Rhode Islanders.

“We are so thankful to our generous sponsors and guests who helped us raise funds to feed our neighbors in need of food assistance across the state,” said Food Bank CEO Andrew Schiff. “Every year, the community comes together in an amazing way to support this event.”

For the sixth year, the Food Bank’s event featured gourmet food trucks as part of the weekend’s Eat Drink RI Festival which showcases local chefs, restaurants and food entrepreneurs.

More than 600 guests attended including Governor Gina Raimondo with First Gentleman Andy Moffit and Senator Jack Reed.

Participating vendors included: Bon Me, Citizen Wing, Ellie’s Bakery, Food 4 Good, Friskie Fries, Fugo, Gastros, Gilded Tomato, Gotta Q, Hometown Poké, Incred-A-Bowl, Like No Udder, Mijos Tacos, Ming’s Asian Street Food, Noble Knots, Open Season, Portu-Galo, Presto Strange O, Red’s, RI Community Food Bank Community Kitchen, Rhody Roots, Rocket Fine Street Food and Sarcastic Sweets. Beverages were provided by Jonathan Edwards Winery, Revival Brewing Company, and Yacht Club Soda. Live music was performed by Superchief Trio.

Once again the event was sponsored by Stop & Shop along with IGT, Collette, Washington Trust, Webster Bank and many other generous donors.

For more information on the Food Bank, visit www.rifoodbank.org

Raimondo, DEM, Partners Announce Over $210,000 In Grants to Local Food Businesses

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), along with its partners, today awarded over $210,000 to 21 local food businesses as part of its annual Agriculture “Ag” Day celebration at the State House. The awards, funded under the Local Agriculture & Seafood Act (LASA) grant program, help new and existing small businesses and food initiatives prosper in Rhode Island.

“Agriculture Day shines a bright light on Rhode Island’s vibrant food scene and rich agricultural and fishing heritage,” said Governor Gina Raimondo. “Today’s Local Agriculture and Seafood Act grants will help nurture new food ventures and grow our state’s green economy. I congratulate all grant recipients and look forward to celebrating the success of these outstanding initiatives.”

Now in its fifth year, LASA has provided over $1.1 million – through grants up to $20,000 – to support growth of Rhode Island’s local food economy. The state’s food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs, and the state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.

“I’m thrilled to award these grants to help farmers, fishers and food businesses start or expand their operations in Rhode Island,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Our state has a vibrant food scene and rich agricultural and fishing heritage, and I look forward to the initiatives and businesses this latest grant round will help inspire.”

“The LASA program has inspired Rhode Island’s agriculture and seafood businesses to innovate and grow,” said Nessa Richman, Network Director for the RI Food Policy Council. “Results from the first comprehensive evaluation of the program show impacts in terms of new product, new markets, increased sales, jobs created, and more that exceed expectations. Funds like this are a key part of the infrastructure for a local food economy.”

The 2018 LASA grant awards include:

African Alliance of RI, Providence/Johnston, $15,140:

To support community garden/farm efforts though purchase of equipment/supplies and a part-time farm manager

Carl Berg, Little Compton, $5,500:

To improve aquaculture production and markets for Sakonnet-grown shellfish

Ester & Joel Bishop, Tiverton, $7,000:

To purchase a mobile processing unit for poultry

Blackstone Bees, LLC, Smithfield, $10,000:

To create a new, sizeable apiary

Deep Roots Farm, Chepachet, $5,794:

To purchase two grain bins to hold chicken and pig feed, bulk feeders, and equipment to move grain around the farm

Eating with the Ecosystem, Statewide, $12,000:

To support outreach and marketing of local seafood

Garman Farm, Newport, $6,150:

To construct a wood-framed shed for equipment storage/wash-and-pack line

Herb & Forage LLC, North Kingstown, $8,086:

To construct a facility for safe washing and storage

Hope’s Harvest RI, Statewide, $9,000:

To support farmer participation in farm gleaning project

Robert F.D. Payne, Exeter, $18,200:

To provide seed money for the South County Sustainable Tool Library

Rachel Playe, Providence, $12,825:

To build a drying shed for medicinal herbs

Rhode Island Land Access Work Group, Statewide, $18,000:

To support the organization’s farm succession school and farm match program, and produce three RI farm “success stories”

Joel Russell, Hopkinton, $7,000:

For contracted labor to design and install a public water system on the farm property

Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, Providence, $6,500:

For purchase of a tea-bagging machine to help further develop market for local tea in Rhode Island while working with refugee farmers

Skinny Dip Farm, Little Compton, $9,982:

To purchase a walk-in cooler, thermometer, and hydrometer

Sweet Pea Farm, Charlestown, $6,115:

To construct a wash station and a walk-in cooler

Urban Greens Food Co-op, Providence, $19,500:

To support development of kitchen to help increase capacity for processing and use of local ingredients

Samantha Vallone & William Morin, Chepachet, $6,025:

To construct a wash-and-pack station and expand cold storage capacity

Westbay Community Action/Westbay Farm, Warwick, $12,200:

To build a root cellar to expand capacity of community farm

Nathaniel Wood & Adam Graffunder, Johnston, $6,940:

For purchase of farming equipment to increase the efficiency of the no-till, bio-intensive farming operation at Snake Den Farm

Young Farmer Network, Statewide, $11,140:

To support education programming and network development for young farmers in Rhode Island

In partnership with the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, LASA is funded by the state with generous support from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation, the Henry P. Kendall Foundation, and the Rhode Island Foundation. In addition to the above grant awards, $20,000 is directed to DEM and the Rhode Island Seafood Marketing Collaborative to support the state’s local seafood campaign, RI Seafood. Local seafood is poised to spur the next wave of food-based economic growth. Last year, more than 100 million pounds of seafood arrived at a local port, with an export value over $1 billion.

May 9, 2019 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news wine & drinks

News Bites: Sons of Liberty Wins American Craft Producer of the Year / RI Quahog Week Kicks Off March 20th / Jo’s American Bistro Wins Newport Burger Bender

by David Dadekian March 18, 2017

written by David Dadekian

Current news releases—Eat Drink RI is not the source for these items—please follow any links for more information.

Sons of Liberty Named American Craft Producer of the Year at Whisky Magazine’s 2017 Icons of Whisky Awards

Rhode Island Craft Distillery Garners Top National Honors from Global Whisky Industry’s Most Prestigious Insider Awards Program

Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co. was named American Craft Producer of the Year, last night, February 28^th, at Whisky Magazine’s 2017 Icons of Whisky awards, presented in New York City at the Brandy Library. Sons of Liberty also took home several individual product awards with America’s Best Flavored Whiskey for its Gala Apple Seasonal Release and two Gold Medals in the American Single Malt category for its UPRISING and Battle Cry whiskies.

Judged exclusively by an editorial panel of decorated industry insiders, Whisky Magazine’s annual Icons of Whisky celebrates the finest companies and individuals in the whisky industry, with regional winners advancing to the global round.

“To say we’re ecstatic is an understatement. With more than 1,200 distilleries currently operating in the U.S. it is an incredible honor to be named an Icon of Whisky for 2017,” said Sons of Liberty Founder, Mike Reppucci. “Since day one we have strived to redefine American Spirits and the support we have received from the local community over the years has been invaluable in putting Sons of Liberty in the conversation with the world’s finest distilleries.”

No stranger to individual product recognition from Whisky Magazine in years past, Sons of Liberty has taken home World’s Best Flavored Whiskey (2014) for its Pumpkin Spice Seasonal Release, North America’s Best Flavored Whiskey (2015) for its Hop Flavored Seasonal Release and a Gold Medal (2016) for its Battle Cry Single Malt Whiskey, and now looks to capture the Global Craft Producer of the Year title won by Seattle WA’s Westland Distillery in 2016.

“It all starts with beer,” says Reppucci. “We craft our spirits from distinct styles of beer brewed on-site and those unique flavors carried through the distillation process have established our identity in redefining American craft spirits. Whiskey, specifically, is a very traditional industry, but you won’t find very much traditional with us. Now that we hold our brewer’s license, the goal is to offer the beers in our tasting room and give everyone the opportunity to taste the originating beer alongside the resulting spirit. A truly unique experience that we are very proud to have underway.”.

New England’s most awarded distillery with 75+ awards in blind tasting competitions since 2012, Sons of Liberty’s first product release was its signature, UPRISING Whiskey, born from a stout beer brewed by the team themselves. Sons of Liberty pushed the envelope one step further by introducing the first-ever, seasonal line of craft whiskies and since then has transitioned its beer-into-spirit methodology to the gin category with its True Born Gin. Recently acquiring its brewer’s license and expanding the distillery to feature a full bar and tasting room, Sons of Liberty is now serving and bottling the flavorful craft beers responsible for the distillery’s award winning whiskies.

2nd Annual Rhode Island Quahog Week Kicks Off On Monday

Governor Raimondo—along with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and other partners—will kick off the 2nd Annual Rhode Island Quahog Week with a special launch event at Save The Bay in Providence on Monday. Quahog Week, running March 20 – 25, highlights the importance of Rhode Island’s wild shellfish harvest to the state’s history, traditions, and economy.

WHERE: Save The Bay
100 Save The Bay Drive
Providence, Rhode Island

WHEN: Monday, March 20, 2017
12 – 2 p.m.

WHO: Governor Gina Raimondo
Janet Coit, DEM Director
Loren Spears, Tomaquag Museum
Chef Chris Kleyla, Statesman Tavern
David Ghigliotty, RI Shellfishermen’s Association

At the launch event, local shellfishermen will compete in a quahog shucking contest and educate guests on their profession. Guests will also enjoy a raw bar and creative preparations of the quahog, courtesy of RI Shellfishermen’s Association, Nicks On Broadway, The Capital Grille, Statesman Tavern, and Matunuck Oyster Bar. Beverages will be provided by Rhode Island’s own Granny Squibb’s Ice Tea.

Rhode Island is known for its food and diverse food cultures. The state’s booming local food sector supports more than 60,000 jobs and continues to attract and inspire the imagination of entrepreneurs and innovators. The local fishing industry has been, and continues to be, a vital part of the equation. Last year, more than 100 million pounds of seafood arrived to a local port – with an export value over $1 billion. And more than 28 million quahogs (off-the-boat value of $5.5 million) were harvested from Narragansett Bay and local coastal waters. Quahogging has a rich history locally, supporting the livelihoods of hundreds of fishermen as well as serving as a treasured pastime for Rhode Island families.

As part of the week, participating restaurants and markets will feature quahog-inspired menu items and deals, and Quahog Week partners will hold special events, including a quahog-themed Eating with the Ecosystem School of Fish Workshop on March 20 and the Official Beer of the Clam Wrap Party on Saturday, March 25 at the new headquarters of Narragansett Beer at The Guild in Pawtucket.

Quahog Week partners include Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Dave’s Marketplace, Discover Newport, Eat Drink RI, Eating with the Ecosystem, Go Providence, Granny Squibb’s Ice Tea, Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House, Isle Brewers Guild, Johnson & Wales University, Narragansett Bay Lobsters, Narragansett Beer, RI Commerce, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Shellfishermen’s Association, Save The Bay, Tomaquag Museum, the University of Rhode Island, and Yacht Club Soda.

For more information on Quahog Week and participating venues, visit www.seafoodri.com. Follow us on Facebook @RISeafoodRocks and join the conversation using #QuahogWeek.

Jo’s American Bistro Wins Inaugural Newport Burger Bender

The restaurant’s all-beef patty wins the hearts and palates of casual diners and critics alike

Limited to just 25 participants, the Newport Burger Bender proved to be a savory success over its 10-day tenure with Jo’s American Bistro in Newport taking top honors. The “best burger” contest took place February 17 through February 26, 2017, in tandem with the Newport Winter Festival. Local chefs and restaurateurs were challenged to “bring the heat” by offering their best hamburger to diners who were encouraged to vote for their favorite. Burgers ranged from traditional beef patties to creative culinary delights.

“The secret is out: We have great burgers!” said Joann Carlson, owner of Jo’s American Bistro in Newport. “I especially want to thank my brilliant Chef, Brian Ruffner, for creating such a tasty and messy burger.”

A Critic’s Choice category was also presented with Gail Ciampa from the Providence Journal and providencejournal.com naming three Critic’s Choice winners: Midtown Oyster Bar, Pour Judgement and Jo’s American Bistro.

“It was a tough choice,” admits Ciampa. “The fried oysters in the Oyster Bar Burger were amazing and Pour Judgement’s burger was a perfect bargain. But the bacon onion jam burger at Jo’s—so messy to eat, just like a good burger should be, was sweet and salty with bacon onion jam and spicy with siracha sauce, and then a wave of creamy cheese, too.” Ciampa paired Jo’s burger with Rhode Island’s own Foolproof beer. “What a delicious idea for a dining promotion. The Burger Bender put the spotlight on the All-American burger. But the choices were anything but ordinary as the chefs built their burgers with fabulous flavors and sauces. Long live the burger.”

The next big culinary extravaganza gourmands should mark on the calendar is Newport Restaurant Week, which will take place March 27 through April 7, 2017. For more information, visit www.DiscoverNewportRestaurantWeek.org.

March 18, 2017 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news wine & drinks

Eat Drink RI Festival — April 26 – 29, 2017

by David Dadekian March 7, 2017

written by David Dadekian

All-Local Celebration of Everything Edible returns for a Sixth Year

Plating dessert at the 2016 Eat Drink RI Festival Dinner by Dames, at center Chef Sara Reilly, at right Chef Melissa Denmark. Photo by Stacey Doyle Photography

The 6th 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, the Festival offers a VIP reception, unique dining opportunities, charitable events, and culminates with the Grand Tasting, an All-Local Tasting featuring farmer & chef cooking demonstrations and author signings. Tickets and more information can be found at eatdrinkri.com/festival.

“Rhode Island’s vibrant food culture is a major point of pride—with good reason. From our amazing restaurants and vineyards to our local products, breweries, and more, there’s never been a better time to dine in the Ocean State,” said Governor Gina Raimondo. “The Eat Drink RI Festival brings together Rhode Islanders and visitors alike to celebrate our culinary scene, and this year’s sixth-annual event promises to be the best yet.”

The 2017 Festival kicks off Wednesday, April 26th with Fiestaval!, a VIP product launch from the team behind the incredibly successful Rhode Island food business, The Backyard Food Company. This event, showcasing the culinary collaboration between best friends and gardeners Matt McClelland and Louby Sukkar, will feature custom cocktails from Bootblack Brand, small bites from Easy Entertaining, live music and entertainment, and the unveiling of the newest BYFC product before it hits the shelves.

Tent interior at 2016 Eat Drink RI Festival Truck Stop to benefit the RI Community Food Bank. Photo by Stacey Doyle Photography

Thursday, April 27th is the sixth installment of Dinner by Dames, a unique experience bringing together a group of Rhode Island’s most talented female chefs & bartenders for a multi-course dining event held at the brand new Skyline at Waterplace in downtown Providence. This year’s Dinner by Dames is a part of Paint the Town (RED) to benefit AIDS Care Ocean State. This female-driven dining experience brings together five of Rhode Island’s most talented chefs, Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s & Ellie’s Bakery, Jordan Goldsmith of Moonrose Farm, Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Ashley Vanasse of Easy Entertaining, and Jessica Wood of Fire and Water Restaurant Group, for a multi-course dining event, in addition to guest Dames Rebecca Lentrichia of the Renaissance Providence Hotel and Sarah Williams of Seven Stars Bakery. To make the evening that much more special, Jen Davis of The Eddy will lead a group of RI’s top bartenders in creating cocktail pairings for each course with spirits provided by Origin Beverage Co.

On Friday evening, we’re expanding the Truck Stop to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank by moving it to the Food Bank’s huge lot in Providence with 21 vendors—the largest gathering of its kind in New England. The always sold-out event showcases the excellence and variety of Rhode Island’s mobile restaurants while benefiting an organization dedicated to ending hunger. Last Festival’s Truck Stop raised over $130,000 for the RI Food Bank. Drinks will be offered from Yacht Club Soda, Jonathan Edwards Winery and Revival Brewing Company, with live music performed by the Superchief Trio. Some of this year’s participants include Friskie Fries, Gastros, Gotta Q, Like No Udder, Mijos Tacos, Noble Knots, Open Season and Rocket Fine Street Food, among many others.

2016 Eat Drink RI Festival Grand Tasting, in foreground Narragansett Creamery table with co-owner Mark Federico. Photo by Stacey Doyle Photography

Saturday’s Grand Tasting features samplings of locally produced beer, wine & spirits, as well as an abundance of local food artisans at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Some of this year’s participants include Barr Hill, Dave’s Coffee, multiple members from Hope & Main, Narragansett Beer, Narragansett Creamery, New Harvest Coffee, Newport Vineyards, Stock Culinary Goods, Whalers Brewing Company and many, many more.

During the Grand Tasting there will be all-new local food & drink presentations on the Frigidaire Professional Presentation Stage sponsored and provided by Wickford Appliance featuring James Beard Award Best Chef Northeast Semi-Finalist Derek Wagner of Nicks on Broadway, Master Pizzaiolo Billy Manzo of Federal Hill Pizza, Ann Marie Bouthillette of Blackbird Farm and several more of Rhode Island’s top chefs and farmers, guaranteed to wow attendees with some of the best food in the country.

New to this year’s Festival, Eat Drink RI is partnering with the Point Street Reading Series for a trio of food-author readings & signings during the Grand Tasting with James Beard Award winning writer David Leite, local writer/photographer Christine Chitnis and James Beard Award Best Chef Northeast Semi-Finalist Evan Mallett.

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 our local chefs, farmers and producers. Tickets and more information can be found at eatdrinkri.com/festival.