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:

Jake Rojas

loading...

Eat Drink RI Festival logo
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

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
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

Walrus and Carpenter Oysters Announces Fourth Annual Farm Dinner Series with Eight Renowned Chefs

by David Dadekian May 5, 2016
written by David Dadekian

This summer, Walrus and Carpenter Oysters is proud to present their 4th Annual Oyster Farm Dinner Series with Al Forno, Avenue N, birch, Blue Hill NY, Gracie’s, north, Persimmon and Tallulah on Thames. Each dinner features a tour of the farm, an in-the-water raw-bar, a multi-course dinner prepared by a chef committed to sourcing local seafood, and wine selections by the experts at Bottles Fine Wine. The dinner series will be produced by Eat Drink RI.

Walrus and Carpenter Oysters 2015 Farm Dinner, photo by David DadekianWalrus and Carpenter Oysters 2015 Farm Dinner, photo by David Dadekian

Walrus and Carpenter Oysters 2015 Farm Dinner, photo by David Dadekian

Each of the eight dinner experiences begin at 3 p.m. with a boat ride and tour of the 6-acre offshore oyster farm, with discussion and time for questions about the local ecosystem and environmental benefits of oyster farming. Following the tour, guests will enjoy an in-the-water raw bar featuring freshly harvested Walrus and Carpenter Oysters. After the raw bar, experience Rhode Island’s stunning East Beach with a view of the open Atlantic Ocean (swimming encouraged!), followed by the seated multi-course dinner paired with wine. Boats will return to land around 7:30 p.m.

Last year this series sold out in 4 minutes. Tickets for the 2016 dinners will go on sale Monday, May 16th at 9 a.m. at www.walrusandcarpenteroysters.com. Below is the schedule of chefs for this year.

Monday, July 18th | Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie’s
Varga is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and began working at Gracie’s in 2007. He was promoted to Executive Chef in 2010. Since then, Gracie’s has won the AAA four-diamond award five years in a row for their seasonally-inspired cuisine and impeccable service. Varga has been featured in Art Culinaire and as a guest chef for the Democratic Governors Association Taste of America gala.

Tuesday, July 19th | Chef Jake Rojas of Tallulah on Thames & Tallulah’s Taqueria
Rojas originates from El Paso, Texas and is a graduate of the Culinary Art Institute of Dallas. In 2014, he received a StarChefs.com Rising Star Chef Award. Some of his earlier career tours include Sous Chef at Joel Robuchon at the Mansion & Chef de Partie at Alain Ducasse’s Mix. Jake’s restaurants embody the flavors from his childhood, with technique from his experiences working with the best culinary leaders in the country.

Wednesday, July 20th | Chef Meytal Kotik of Blue Hill NY
Meytal is the chef de cuisine of Blue Hill in New York City. Transforming daily, the menu focuses on local food sourced from producers who respect artisanal techniques. Ingredients come from nearby farms, including Blue Hill Farm in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Pocantico Hills, New York. Following culinary school, Meytal worked for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group before joining the Blue Hill team.

Thursday, July 21st | Chef Nick Rabar of Avenue N
Nick has been cooking in Rhode Island ever since relocating from Upstate New York in 2001. He spent his first 10 years in Providence before opening Avenue N American Kitchen in the historic Rumford Center in Rumford, RI. He describes his food as approachable, progressive American fare that is guided by the seasons. He is the Emmy Nominated host of Nick Rabar: Chef 2 Go, 2-time Chef of the Year for the state of Rhode Island, has been named one of the Best and Brightest Young American Chefs. Chef Rabar sits on the board of directors at Hope & Main and has made numerous appearances on the Food Network.

Monday, August 15th | Chef David Reynoso of Al Forno
Reynoso is the executive chef at the internationally renowned Al Forno restaurant, where local ingredients shine in dishes cooked in wood-burning ovens and on grills over hardwood charcoal fires. He is the recipient of many accolades, including StarChefs.com Rising Star Chef Award. For this dinner, David will be tapping into his roots with a meal inspired by his birthplace, Mexico. Chef Reynoso’s menus feature seasonal New England ingredients, as well as a variety of cultural and culinary influences.

Tuesday, August 16th | Chef Benjamin Sukle of birch & Oberlin
Sukle takes a “from the roots up” approach to all aspects of the dining experience, expressing the best of New England through a creative, modern and environmentally engaging menu. Ben received a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Chef Award, and has been twice nominated for Food & Wine’s People’s Best New Chef. He has been nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef and Best Chef New England.

Wednesday, August 17th | Chef Champe Speidel of Persimmon & Persimmon Provisions
Speidel is the chef and owner of Persimmon Restaurant, newly transplanted from Bristol to Providence’s East Side at 99 Hope Street in the former Rue de L’Espoir space. He has been serving contemporary American cuisine in harmony with the seasons since 2005. In 2010 he opened Persimmon Provisions in Barrington, a whole-animal butchery with well-curated cheeses, charcuterie and pantry items. Speidel is a six-time nominee for Best Chef: Northeast by the James Beard Foundation and recently was honored by his Alma Mater Johnson & Wales University as their 2016 Honorary Doctoral Candidate.

Thursday, August 18th | Chef James Mark of north & north bakery
Mark is the cook/owner/plumber/garbageman/shoveler/gopher/cat wrangler of north and north bakery. In 2014, James received the StarChefs.com 2014 Coastal New England Rising Star Community Chef award for his philanthropic commitment to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Prior to north, James worked at Nicks on Broadway and Thee Red Fez. In 2008 he helped open Momofuku Ko in NYC, and a year later he helped open Momofuku Milk Bar.

Please be aware that each dinner experience involves wading in ankle to knee-deep water, and a 15-minute walk to the beach, so dress accordingly. Guests who choose to take a swim are encouraged to wear bathing suits and bring a change of clothes. Boats will begin to depart from Charlestown, RI at 2:30 p.m., with the final boat departing at 3 p.m. Tickets are $225.00 per guest, all-inclusive, and will go on sale Monday, May 16th at 9 a.m. at www.walrusandcarpenteroysters.com.

May 5, 2016 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
chefs & restaurantsfarmsnewswine & drinks

Walrus and Carpenter Oysters Announces Third Annual Farm Dinner Series with Six Renowned Rhode Island Chefs

by David Dadekian June 2, 2015
written by David Dadekian
Dinner table and kitchen set up in Ninigret Pond from Nicks on Broadway 2014 event, photo by David S. Dadekian

Dinner table and kitchen set up in Ninigret Pond from Nicks on Broadway 2014 event, photo by David S. Dadekian

This summer, Walrus and Carpenter Oysters is proud to present their 3rd Annual Oyster Farm Dinner Series with birch, Gracie’s, New Rivers, Nicks on Broadway, north, and Tallulah on Thames. Each dinner features a tour of the farm, an in-the-water raw-bar, a multi-course dinner prepared by a Rhode Island chef committed to sourcing local seafood, and wine selections by the experts at Bottles Fine Wine. The dinner series will be produced by Eat Drink RI.

Walrus and Carpenter Oysters logo

Click the links below to purchase tickets beginning Monday, June 15th at 9 a.m.:

  • Sunday, August 9th | Chef Derek Wagner of Nicks on Broadway
  • Monday, August 10th | Chef Jake Rojas of Tallulah on Thames
  • Tuesday, August 11th | Chef Benjamin Sukle of birch
  • Friday, August 14th | Chef James Mark of north
  • Sunday, August 16th | Chef Beau Vestal of New Rivers
  • Monday, August 17th | Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie’s

Bottles Fine Wine logo

Each of the six dinner experiences begin at 3 p.m. with a boat ride and tour of the 6-acre offshore oyster farm, with discussion and time for questions about the local ecosystem and environmental benefits of oyster farming. Following the tour, guests will enjoy an in-the-water raw bar featuring freshly harvested oysters. After the raw bar, take a walk on stunning East Beach with a view of the open Atlantic Ocean, followed by the seated multi-course dinner paired with wine. Boats will return to the marina around 7:30 p.m.

Last year this series sold out in less than 24 hours. Tickets for the 2015 dinners will go on sale Monday, June 15th at 9 a.m. at www.walrusandcarpenteroysters.com. Below is the schedule of chefs for this year.

Sunday, August 9th | Chef Derek Wagner of Nicks on Broadway

Wagner, winner of the StarChefs.com 2014 Coastal New England Rising Star Sustainability Award, is deeply focused on seasonally inspired, locally sourced, integrity driven food. Derek has developed and fostered strong relationships with local growers, producers, farmers, fishermen and artisans, and has been featured in Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and The New York Times, among many other publications.

Monday, August 10th | Chef Jake Rojas of Tallulah on Thames

Rojas originates from El Paso, Texas and is a graduate of the Culinary Art Institute of Dallas. In 2014, he received a StarChefs.com Rising Star Chef Award. Jake is committed to sourcing seasonal market-driven ingredients highlighting local farms and artisans, and opened Tallulah’s Taqueria in Providence last summer.

Tuesday, August 11th | Chef Benjamin Sukle of birch

Sukle takes a “from the roots up” approach to all aspects of the dining experience, expressing the best of New England through a creative, modern and environmentally engaging menu. Ben received a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Chef Award, and has been twice nominated for Food & Wine’s People’s Best New Chef. He has been nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef and Best Chef New England.

Friday, August 14th | Chef James Mark of north

Mark is the cook/owner/plumber/garbageman/shoveler/gopher/cat wrangler of north and north bakery. In 2014, James received the StarChefs.com 2014 Coastal New England Rising Star Community Chef award for his philanthropic commitment to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Prior to north, James worked at Nicks on Broadway and Thee Red Fez. In 2008 he helped open Momofuku Ko in NYC and, a year later, he helped open Momofuku Milk Bar.

Sunday, August 16th | Chef Beau Vestal of New Rivers

Vestal prides himself on serving the highest quality produce, handcrafted products, and whole animals raised with care from local pastures. Since 1990 the team at New Rivers has upheld the belief that the best and most honest foods are sustainably sourced and made by hand. Beau, chef at New Rivers since 2000 and now co-owner with his wife Elizabeth, carry on this mission today with their artisan breads, an extensive pasta program, cured meats and charcuterie, and much more.

Monday, August 17th | Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie’s

Varga is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and began working at Gracie’s in 2007. He was promoted to Executive Chef in 2010. Since then, Gracie’s has won the AAA four-diamond award four years in a row for their seasonally-inspired cuisine and impeccable service. Varga has been featured in Art Culinaire and as a guest chef for the Democratic Governors Association Taste of America gala.

Please be aware that each dinner experience involves wading in ankle to knee-deep water, and a 15-minute walk to the beach, so dress accordingly. Boats will begin to depart from Charlestown, RI at 2:30 p.m., with the final boat departing at 3 p.m. Tickets are $185.00 per guest, all-inclusive, and will go on sale Monday, June 15th at 9 a.m. at www.walrusandcarpenteroysters.com.

June 2, 2015 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail

InactiveWalrus and Carpenter Oysters Farm Dinner with Gracie's

by David Dadekian June 1, 2015
written by David Dadekian

Each of the six dinner experiences begin at 3 p.m. with a boat ride and tour of the 6-acre offshore oyster farm, with discussion and time for questions about the local ecosystem and environmental benefits of oyster farming. Following the tour, guests will enjoy an in-the-water raw bar featuring freshly harvested oysters. After the raw bar, take a walk on stunning East Beach with a view of the open Atlantic Ocean, followed by the seated multi-course dinner paired with wine. Boats will return to the marina around 7:30 p.m.

Monday, August 17th | Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie’s

Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie's, photo by Jason Wessel

Chef Matthew Varga of Gracie’s, photo by Jason Wessel

Varga is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and began working at Gracie’s in 2007. He was promoted to Executive Chef in 2010. Since then, Gracie’s has won the AAA four-diamond award four years in a row for their seasonally-inspired cuisine and impeccable service. Varga has been featured in Art Culinaire and as a guest chef for the Democratic Governors Association Taste of America gala.

Please be aware that each dinner experience involves wading in ankle to knee-deep water, and a 15-minute walk to the beach, so dress accordingly. Boats will begin to depart from Charlestown, RI at 2:30 p.m., with the final boat departing at 3 p.m. Tickets are $185.00 per guest, all-inclusive and are non-refundable, but are transferable. In case of inclement weather the rain date for this dinner is Monday, August 31.

Download “What to Expect” details here.


If you have any questions about this experience, or if the dinner has sold out and you’d like to be added to a waiting list, please fill out the form below.

June 1, 2015 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrRedditStumbleuponWhatsappEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts

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