Eat Drink RI
The best local food and beverage information in Rhode Island
  • Interviews
    • The Show
    • Subscribe as a Podcast
    • RI Small Business LIVE Forum on Facebook
  • Upcoming Events
  • Food & Beverage Jobs
    • Post A Job
    • Job Dashboard
  • Latest News
  • COVID Support
    • Restaurants with Online Ordering and Take Out
    • Shop Local Food & Drink Businesses Online
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 1 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 2 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 3 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 4 of 4
    • Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
    • Shopping
    • About
    • Contact
Tag:

health

loading...

Barbra Gremza
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnews

News Bites: Red Stripe Names GM / Farm Fresh RI Receives BlueAngel Grant / RI Hospitality Education Foundation Rhode Island ProStart® Competition

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.



Red Stripe Restaurants Names Barbra Gremza General Manager

Cumberland Resident brings 20 Years of Hospitality Experience to East Greenwich Location

Barbra Gremza
Barbra Gremza

Red Stripe restaurants, located at 465 Angell Street in Providence and 455 Main Street in East Greenwich, are pleased to announce that Cumberland resident, Barbra Gremza has joined its East Greenwich location as general manager. In her new role, Barbra will assume the day-to-day operations of the bustling Main Street eatery and work alongside the culinary teams and management staff at sister restaurant in Providence.

Barbra brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to her new role, most notably serving more than 16 years with TGI Friday’s as General Manager at eight of the brand’s restaurants in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Prior to joining Red Stripe, Barbra was General Manager of three Au Bon Pain locations in Rhode Island.

“We are thrilled to welcome Barbra to our team,” said Jim Brosseau, Director of Restaurant Operations, Encore Hospitality Group. “Her deep understanding of running successful hospitality operations and developing the skills of her team members are a true asset to our organization. We look forward to working with Barbra to further elevate the guest experience in East Greenwich.”

Barbra specializes in training and developing managers and team members at all levels and looks forward to this new opportunity. “I am excited to be with a brand and team with such great potential and I am looking forward to creating exceptional guest experiences for our friends in our community,” said Gremza.


Farm Fresh Rhode Island receives 2019 BlueAngel Community Health Grant

$22k Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island grant will help support Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program

Farm Fresh Rhode Island
Farm Fresh Rhode Island

Farm Fresh Rhode Island has received a 2019 BlueAngel Community Health Grant (BACHG) from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). The $22,000 grant will provide parents and children with resources to shop for and prepare healthy meals through the farmers market-based education program: Healthy Foods, Healthy Families.

Since the inception of the BlueAngel Community Health Grants in 2002, BCBSRI has donated more than $3.8 million to local nonprofits, impacting 300,000 Rhode Islanders. The BACHG program is BCBSRI’s cornerstone grant program, supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health issues in Rhode Island. For the past five years, BACHG funding has focused on Rhode Island organizations promoting the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and healthy weight for children and their families.

“Last summer, 380+ low-income families learned about nutrition and locally grown food options with us—a majority reporting the program led to an increase in their family’s overall fruit and veggie consumption,” said Onelissa Martinez, Nutrition Education Program Manager at Farm Fresh RI. “Thanks to this BlueAngel Community Health Grant from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI, we will be able to empower more Rhode Island families with the information and tools to make healthy choices and invest in their health and communities.”  

Farm Fresh RI’s Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program delivers interactive food and nutrition workshops at farmers markets for families who receive federal food assistance from WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Provided in English and Spanish, the program empowers parents and children with the tools to shop for affordable, seasonal foods and prepare them in kid-friendly ways.

“Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis in the country and in our state. In fact, Rhode Island continues to rank among the top 15 states with the highest obesity rates in children. Childhood overweight and obesity results in dangerous health impacts and significant cost impacts, and we believe we can and must do more to stem this epidemic,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSRI. “Our support for organizations like Farm Fresh Rhode Island enables them to continue effectively addressing social and environmental factors that lead to overweight and obesity—particularly for low-income families in our state.”

According to Keck, BACHG programs underscore BCBSRI’s commitment to the state made at the company’s founding 80 years ago. “Our first 80 years were marked by ongoing efforts focused on improving the health of Rhode Islanders. Looking forward, we will reinforce and expand those efforts to passionately lead a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island. We cannot ignore the consequences of childhood obesity and its impact on public health in our state, including shortened life expectancy and billions of dollars of cost impact,” said Keck. “That’s why our continued partnerships with organizations combating obesity at the community level are so critical.”

In all, BCBSRI awarded $218,000 in BACHG funding for 2019. Funding is made available through the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Community Health Fund maintained at the Rhode Island Foundation.


RI Hospitality Education Foundation Hosts 8th Annual Rhode Island ProStart® High School Culinary & Management Competition

William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School and East Providence Career & Technical Center to Represent Rhode Island in National Competition in Washington, D.C.

ProStart Culinary Arts Competition Winners from William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School: (From left to right): Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO of RIHA/RIHEF; Chef Instructor Santos Nieves; William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School students Ashley Fernandez, Alexia Guzman, Britney Fernandez, and Victoria Carron. Photo credit: Richard Kizirian.
ProStart Culinary Arts Competition Winners from William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School: (From left to right): Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO of RIHA/RIHEF; Chef Instructor Santos Nieves; William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School students Ashley Fernandez, Alexia Guzman, Britney Fernandez, and Victoria Carron. Photo credit: Richard Kizirian.

The RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF), in collaboration with ProStart®, recently hosted the 8th Annual Rhode Island ProStart® High School Culinary & Management Competition. 

More than 40 area professionals judged 50 students who competed in three areas: the Culinary Arts Competition, including challenges in food safety and sanitation, knife skills, a three-course meal cook-off using only two burners, teamwork/cooperation, professionalism/appearance, and plate presentation; the Food Service Management Competition featuring the presentation of a restaurant concept and business plan including design boards, floor plans, marketing plans and menu design; and a Hospitality and Tourism Management Competition which saw students develop and present unique hotel concepts including event planning, marketing and interior design elements.

As part of the competition awards, seven different colleges and universities pledged $1 million in available scholarship money to be split up amongst the winning teams.

A culinary team from William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School won the Culinary Arts portion of the competition, a food service management team from East Providence Career & Technical Center won the Food Service Management portion of the competition, and a hospitality and tourism management team from CHARIHOTech won the Hospitality and Tourism Management portion of the competition. The winners of the Culinary Arts and Food Service Management portions of the competition will now represent Rhode Island at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart® Invitational competition in Washington, D.C. May 8-10, 2019.

“I am so proud of all the hardworking students who dedicated months of practice and preparation for this event,” said Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO of the RI Hospitality Association and the RI Hospitality Education Foundation. “It’s because of students like this that Rhode Island is nationally recognized for its outstanding culinary scene. I look forward to watching the students’ skills continue to progress and eventually become part of the skilled workforce we have here in Rhode Island.”

May 9, 2019 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
chefs & restaurantsnews

News Bites of New Hires: RI Food Policy Council Work Group Chairs, Julian’s Head Chef & Sous Chef, Red Stripe Executive Chef

by David Dadekian August 31, 2015
written by David Dadekian

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

RHODE ISLAND FOOD POLICY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRS

Rhode Island Food Policy Council

The Rhode Island Food Policy Council is thrilled to announce the confirmation of new Work Group Chairs for the Council’s major focus areas: access, economy, environment, health, and production. This group brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from all facets of the food system, and will play an integral role in the development and implementation of Council goals.

Access: Georgina Sarpong is the Farmers Market Program Manager for Farm Fresh Rhode Island. She has experience in food access advocacy and is also an experienced chef. We are fortunate to have her expertise and commitment to improving healthy food access throughout Rhode Island.

Economy: Jeffrey Powell is the Food Service Director at Chariho Regional School District. He has worked in nearly all aspects of the food business, including experience as a chef, restaurant owner, contract dining manager, and in food brokerage and distribution. He recently launched the Ocean State Smoked Fish Company operating out of Rhode Island’s first culinary incubator, Hope & Main in Warren, RI. We are grateful to have Jeffrey’s background and experience in the food economic sector.

Environment: Antonia Bryson practiced law for 30 years, specializing in environmental and land use law. Her vast experience in this field includes having served as a Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Chair of the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board, and Chief of the Environmental Division of the New York City Law Department. She founded the Urban Environmental Law Center, working as an advocate for community groups and nonprofits. Antonia’s experience in the environmental field is an incredible resource, and we are excited to have her join the team.

Health: Annajane Yolken is the Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation Manager at Thundermist Health Center. Her interest is at the intersection of food and health utilizing an equity lens. She has experience from Miriam Hospital and the Rhode Island Public Health Institute. Annajane brings a deep understanding of the ties between food and health, and we are happy she will be sharing her insight with us.

Production: Jennifer Bristol serves as Executive Director of Mount Hope Farm, and the Program Management and Operations Director for The Institute for Mindful Leadership. She brings years of experience in the nonprofit world, including, most recently, senior leadership for The Nature Conservancy. Her unique background in both nonprofit leadership and executive management of a local farm are an asset, and we are pleased to have her working with us.

“The Council’s Work Groups are where the rubber of food systems work meets the road of Rhode Island reality,” said Kenneth Payne, Chair of the RIFPC. “These outstanding work group chairs will give us traction.”

We are excited to welcome this incoming group and look forward to working together toward making the Rhode Island food system a leader in the nation.


Julian’s names new Head Chef

as well as new Sous Chef and launches new Dinner Menu

Left: Ryan Poutre, Head Chef / Right: Derek Wood, Sous Chef

Left: Ryan Poutre, Head Chef / Right: Derek Wood, Sous Chef

This week Ryan Poutre was named the Head Chef of Julian’s Restaurant. Ryan, a Providence native, graduated from Johnson and Wales in 2011. After school he began to cut his teeth in Providence at various restaurants, gaining the prestigious position of Lead Line Cook at Waterman Grille and later moving on to Siena where he became Sous Chef.

Three months ago Ryan joined our team, looking to expand his horizons. His work ethic and passion for food quickly gained him the position of Sous Chef and with in a short time Head Chef. Once promoted, Ryan urged for Lead Line Cook Derek Wood to be promoted to Sous Chef.

Derek Wood has been with Julian’s for two years. He started as a young padawan with limited food experience and we have had the honor of watching him devour food knowledge and honing his skills.

Ryan & Derek have become fast friends and with the support of their kitchen team have released a new dinner menu unveiling dishes like:

Miso Duck with Avocado-Wasabi Puree, Sushi Rice, Smoked Duck, Charred Scallion Salad, Tamari Caramel

Seared Scallops with Heirloom Bean Salad, Cremem Fraiche, Tomato Jam, Bitter Greens

BBQ Beets with Gingered Potato Salad, Preserved Mustard Greens, North Carolina BBQ Sauce, & Crispy Carrots

Sugar Cured Rib-Eye with Sweet Corn Pudding, Fingerling Potatoes, Charred Tomato, & Arugula Pesto

Squash Risotto with Braised Calabaza Squash, Pepitas, Local Mushrooms, Coconut Milk

Stay tuned for new news in the very near future like: Julian’s Omnibus at Kennedy Plaza, Pizza J opening, H, Julian’s & Allagash Beer Dinner at the Steel Yard with FIRE.


JEREMY EWING-CHOW NAMED EXECUTIVE CHEF OF RED STRIPE RESTAURANTS

Jeremy Ewing-Chow

Jeremy Ewing-Chow

Encore Hospitality Group, which owns and operates the Mill’s Tavern and Red Stripe restaurants, announces that Jeremy Ewing-Chow has been promoted to executive chef of the two Red Stripe locations in Providence and East Greenwich.

Mr. Ewing-Chow, who has over 20 years of experience in the culinary industry, joined Red Stripe as a chef at the East Greenwich location last fall. In his capacity as executive chef, he is responsible for the supervision and coordination of all culinary activities at both Red Stripe restaurants, including management and training of kitchen staff, planning and producing menus, selecting and developing recipes, pricing and cost accounting, and ensuring food quality and consistency.

Ewing-Chow traces his passion for culinary arts to his Chino-Guyanese roots, where family meals were a blend of cross-cultural foods and flavors. This diversity, coupled with a love of food and a yearning to travel, influenced his decision to become a chef, and continues to inspire his cooking techniques and recipe development. “To understand a cuisine, I try to understand its culture. There is no better teacher than travel,” he says.

A 1998 graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Ewing-Chow was previously employed at the Gatehouse Restaurant (now the Waterman Grille) in Providence and at the Cheeky Monkey Café in Newport, where he was chef de cuisine for seven years. Prior to his employment with Red Stripe, he worked as chef de cuisine/executive chef at Russell Morin Fine Catering for seven years.

Of his new role, Ewing-Chow says, “I look forward to working together with the talented staff of Red Stripe restaurants. Our team shares a commitment to quality, consistency, excellence and exceeding our guests’ expectations.”

“Between the expanded Providence Red Stripe and our second location in East Greenwich, we are welcoming over 4,000 guests into our restaurants each week for brunch, lunch and dinner,” states Paul Conforti, managing partner of Encore Hospitality Group. “Red Stripe has been serving refined comfort food at an affordable price point for over 10 years. With his extensive training and global culinary view, we are confident Jeremy will keep our food innovative and exciting while also maintaining the consistent quality our guests rely on. We’re pleased to have him on the Encore team.”

Ewing-Chow resides in East Greenwich.

August 31, 2015 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
news

Alliance for a Healthier Rhode Island Sugar Sweetened Beverage Policy Open Letter to RI School Superindendents

by guest February 2, 2012
written by guest

State of Rhode Island Department of HealthAs of January 26th, over 20 important organizations signed onto a joint letter urging Rhode Island schools to reject participation in marketing programs like MyCokeRewards. This letter will be circulated to school superintendents, principals, PTA’s/PTOS and others key stakeholders across the state. We’ll have lots of other opportunities to take action, so please join our email list by clicking the JOIN button now!

Click here to see one of the MyCokeRewards flyers that was being circulated here in Rhode Island.

Click here to download a PDF version of the joint letter opposing MyCokeRewards


January 12, 2012

We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to share a concern and ask for your help. Recently, the Coca-Cola Corporation has been pushing a promotional campaign that is connected to schools in Rhode Island, as well as nationwide. The program, called MyCokeRewards, encourages people to buy Coke products, and then log onto the campaign website to register their MyCokeRewards points with a particular school, so the school can redeem the points and supposedly obtain rewards such as sports equipment. It is unclear what rewards schools can actually get, but it certainly is not cash. It is clear, however, that schools do not benefit from this program, but that Coca-Cola does, by being able to market their products to youth. The beverage industry already heavily markets their products to youth (especially blacks and Hispanics) on TV, radio, and in social and mobile media, and children’s exposure to TV ads for Coca Cola’s sugary drinks have nearly doubled from 2008 to 2010.

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages isn’t just bad for teeth: it is also a leading cause of obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, early tooth loss and tooth decay and more. Given that Rhode Island has a law prohibiting soda sales in schools, we are deeply concerned that a number of schools in our state are participating in the MyCokeRewards program.

We are writing to you to urge adoption of a district-wide policy prohibiting the acceptance of money from any sugar -sweetened beverage company, through participation in programs such as MyCokeRewards, contests, fundraisers, or sponsorships. We are concerned that the beverage industry is using incentive programs such as MyCokeRewards to win favor with educators and parents in an effort to enlist them as allies against public health measures designed to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This strategy was used by tobacco companies for years and we are skeptical of the industry’s attempts to align themselves with a social good such as education. The beverage industry has repeatedly said it wants to be part of the solution to the problem of obesity and other health-related issues linked to consumption of their sugary drinks. Programs such as MyCokeRewards undermine parents’ and educators attempts to help children to reduce their consumption and keep their children healthy.

Steps you can take:

  • Find out if any schools in your community have enrolled in the MyCokeRewards program. Click here to search by zip code.
  • If any of your schools has enrolled, consider formally un-enrolling from the Coke Rewards program.
  • Whether or not your any of your schools has enrolled in the MyCokeRewards program, adopt a formal policy prohibiting the acceptance of money from any beverage industry, through any kind of program. Inform all key stakeholders of the policy.
  • Please let us know what course of action you are considering.

Our organizations have joined together to find ways to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages across the state because we know that if we’re successful, all Rhode Islanders will benefit from decreased rates of obesity and obesity -related diseases. If you would like to get involved in this effort, we’d welcome your help. Please contact Sarah Stevens at the Rhode Island Medical Society to join the fight. You may email Sarah at sstevens@rimed.org.

For more information on the Alliance for a Healthier Rhode Island and sugar-sweetened beverages, please visit: http://www.powerprism.org/alliance-for-a-healthier-ri.htm.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request. We’d be happy to answer any questions or provide you with more information. Let’s work together for the health of our children!

Respectfully yours,

  • Care New England
  • Chefs Collaborative – Rhode Island Local
  • Community Catalyst, New England Alliance for Children’s Health
  • eat drink RI
  • Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island
  • Hospitals for a Healthy Environment – Rhode Island
  • Kids First/Real Food First
  • Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
  • Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians
  • Rhode Island Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Rhode Island Dental Assistants Association
  • Rhode Island Dental Association
  • Rhode Island Diabetes Council
  • Rhode Island Environmental Education Association
  • Rhode Island Health Center Association
  • Rhode Island Medical Society
  • Rhode Island Psychological Association
  • Rhode Island Public Health Association
  • Rhode Island Public Health Institute
  • Rhode Island State Nurses Association
  • Samuels Sinclair Dental Center at Rhode Island Hospital
  • Slow Food Rhode Island
  • YMCA of Greater Providence
February 2, 2012 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
farmsnews

Farmers Market Health Fair & Cooking Demo with Providence Mayor Taveras

by David Dadekian July 10, 2011
written by David Dadekian

Hope Street Farmers' MarketThis week Providence Mayor Angel Taveras will be appearing at the new Hartford Avenue Farmers Market and at the Broad Street Farmers Market to help promote healthy eating and cooking.

First up, on Wednesday, July 13, Mayor Taveras and Chief of the Division of Agriculture Ken Ayars will be cutting the ribbon to open the new Hartford Avenue Farmers Market at 370 Hartford Avenue, (Perry Middle School). The Hartford Avenue Farmers Market is being presented through a partnership between Farm Fresh RI and the Providence Housing Authority and will be open on Wednesdays through October 26 from3 – 6 p.m. Along with the ribbon cutting on the 13th, there will be a Health Fair held during the Market this week.

Then on Saturday, July 16, join Mayor Taveras as he kicks off the Johnson & Wales Cooking Demos at the Broad Street Farmers Market. The Market will also feature members of the Southside Community Land Trust Community Growers, who are harvesting foods in the neighborhood. The Broad Street Farmers Market is being held at 807 Broad St. (Algonquin House) and will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. through October 29. The cooking demos will be held all-season long.

For a complete list of all the Providence, Pawtucket and now Woonsocket Farmers Markets run by Farm Fresh RI, along with information on almost all the Farmers Markets in the Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts & Connecticut area, check out the Farm Fresh RI 2011 Markets page.

July 10, 2011 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail

Search:

Recent Posts:

  • News Bites: RI Breweries Christmas & New Year’s Hours / Boat House Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive

    December 21, 2022
  • News Bites: New Sons of Liberty Flavored Whiskies / Anchor & Hope Wins Four Awards / RI Seafood Launches New Site and App / Help Giusto Donate Lasagnas / Neon Marketplace Opens in Providence

    December 7, 2022
  • News Bites: Oberlin’s Chef Sukle Opening New Spot and Announces Move / Rhody Feeding Rhody Awarded USDA Grant / Rory’s Market Launces Fresh Produce Program

    November 14, 2022
  • News Bites: Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grants Now Open / The Good Trade Makers Market Returns / Branchfood Launches RI Operations / BEATNIC Offering BOGO for Beginning of World Vegan Month

    October 25, 2022

Advertisement:

Blackbird Farm

Advertisement:

Advertise with Eat Drink RI

Advertisement:

Advertisement:

Advertisement:

Advertisement:

Food Trucks:

Facebook
My Tweets

Four Time RI Monthly Best of RI Winner for the Eat Drink RI Festival

Four Time RI Monthly Best of RI Winner for the Eat Drink RI Festival

2019 Rhode Island Inno Blazer Award Winner & Two Time 50 On Fire Winner

2019 Rhode Island Inno Blazer Award Winner & Two Time 50 On Fire Winner

Rhode Island Foundation 2014 Innovation Fellow

Rhode Island Foundation 2014 Innovation Fellow

Instagram

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Tumblr
  • Youtube
  • Email

Copyright © 2010-2022 Eat Drink RI LLC. All rights reserved.


Back To Top
Eat Drink RI
  • Interviews
    • The Show
    • Subscribe as a Podcast
    • RI Small Business LIVE Forum on Facebook
  • Upcoming Events
  • Food & Beverage Jobs
    • Post A Job
    • Job Dashboard
  • Latest News
  • COVID Support
    • Restaurants with Online Ordering and Take Out
    • Shop Local Food & Drink Businesses Online
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 1 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 2 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 3 of 4
    • The Rhode to Recovery: RI Food and Drink, Part 4 of 4
    • Resource Links for Small Businesses During COVID-19 Crisis
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
    • Shopping
    • About
    • Contact

Terms and Conditions – Privacy Policy