Tag:

Kristen Minsky

Lincoln Creamery Wins Rhode Island Food Fights Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown 2015

by David Dadekian June 29, 2015

The winners of the 4th Annual Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown, Lincoln Creamery, with The TropiGals, photo by Ray McGinnis

The second Rhode Island Food Fights event of 2015, the 4th Annual Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown, was held this past Sunday, June 28th at the Rhode Island Eye Institute in Providence. Seven ice cream makers–Frosty Freez, ProvidenceG, Julians, Lincoln Creamery, Newport Creamery, Sundaes and Warwick Ice Cream Co.–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 trophies, created by Ahlers Designs, were awarded to the winners.

According to judges, Sierra Barter of The Lady Project, David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI, and Katrin Wingels Schnippering of Eye Cookies, first place went to Lincoln Creamery for their Peanut Butter Caramel Cookie Dough ice cream. Judges’ second place went to Julians‘ White Chocolate Key Lime Pie ice cream. The Lila Delman Real Estate Lila Cares People’s Choice was awarded to Warwick Ice Cream Co. Congratulations to all the winners.

RI Food Fights was created and produced by Jim Nellis. John Taraborelli and Matt Coupe entertainingly hosted the event. The TropiGals very elegantly provided ice cream and support to everyone involved.

4th Annual Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown prizewinner artwork by Ahlers Designs

June 29, 2015 0 comments

chefs & restaurants news

GaGa Wins Rhode Island Food Fights Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown

by David Dadekian July 23, 2012

written by David Dadekian

Inside Alex and Ani’s Teas and Javas’s ice cream cart

The second RI Food Fights event, the Incredible Ice Cream Throwdown, took place this past Saturday, July 21, 2012. A sold out crowd descended upon the Wayland Square neighborhood in Providence to sample the best ice creams in Rhode Island. Eleven area ice cream makers competed to see who had the greatest frozen dessert treat according to a panel of three culinary judges (which included this writer) and the People’s Choice. Three awards, created by Ahlers Designs, and two honorable mentions were announced by the time the three hours of ice cream eating had come to a close.

It was a very close score between first and second place according to judges Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections and David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI. First place went to GaGa for their Lemon SherBetter, sold in a number of area stores. Second place, as well as People’s Choice, went to Three Sisters of Hope St. in Providence for their Kulfi ice cream, an almond base with cardamom, cinnamon and pistachios. The judges Honorable Mention went to The Inside Scoop‘s Turtle Chocolate Chip and the People’s Honorable Mention went to Bliss/Munroe Dairy for Graham Central Station. Congratulations to all the winners.

RI Food Fights was created and produced by Jim Nellis and Casey Spencer. John Taraborelli ably and entertainingly hosted the event, and Kristen Minsky was the fabulous Ice Cream Hostess. The other competitors were Savory Scoop Ice Cream, Ben and Jerry’s Eastside, DeCiantis Ice Cream, Teas and Javas, Mr. Nick’s Gelato and Ice Cream, Newport Creamery and Like No Udder.

First place winners from GaGa along with Kristen Minsky (in red) and host John Taraborelli (on right). GaGa President/CEO Jim King in light blue.

Second place and People’s Choice First Place winners from Three Sisters

The award plates created by Ahlers Designs, Inc.

Three Sisters ice cream cart

July 23, 2012 0 comments

chefs & restaurants news

The Duck and Bunny Wins First Rhode Island Food Fights Great Cupcake Championship

by David Dadekian March 11, 2012

written by David Dadekian

RI Food Fights awards produced by Ahlers Designs, Inc.

The first Rhode Island Food Fights event was held on Sunday, March 11 at The Spot Underground in Providence. RI Food Fights, the brainchild of Jim Nellis and Casey Spencer, declared their first competition to be the Great Cupcake Championship and thirteen bakeries from around the state vied for the title of best cupcake in Rhode Island, along with some excellent prizes. First place, part of the judged competition (of which I was a judge) was awarded to The Duck & Bunny of 312 Wickenden Street in Providence for their Bunny Carrot cupcake.

I spoke with The Duck & Bunny co-owner Jessica Becker about the restaurant and the thought behind their cupcakes. Becker said, “When we opened The Duck and Bunny we wanted to have cupcakes as one of the best things that we would carry because we came from New York where cupcakes had kind of blown up. Our whole thing was we thought they were all too sugary sweet and we really wanted to focus on the flavors. That was the big thing for us. We wanted authentic tastes. Brandy [Schwalbe] and Renee [Frechette] are our cupcake pastry chefs and they have wonderful recipes and we’ve collaborated. We like to do twists on classics and do different things.”

The Duck & Bunny's Bunny Carrot cupcake (mini version)

The judges second place prize went to City Girl Cupcake of 99 Weybosset Street in Providence for their Caramel Chocolate Walnut cupcake. Judges’ honorable mention went to Mi-Mi’s Sweet Shoppe for their Snickers cupcake. In addition to the judged competition, the sold out crowd also could cast their votes for their favorite cupcakes. People’s Choice winner was The Cupcake Contessas‘ Spice cupcake and People’s honorable mention went to The Duck & Bunny.

This three hour RI Food Fights dessert extravaganza was emceed by Mike Ritz and John Taraborelli with Kristen Minsky acting as cupcake hostess. The five judges had to considerately consume thirteen cupcakes. Judges were Chef Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections, Chef Jennifer Luxmoore of Sin Desserts, Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, WPRO producer and host Bekah Berger and David Dadekian of Eat Drink RI. The event was successful and Nellis and Spencer plan on staging more RI Food Fights.

First place winners from The Duck & Bunny, from left to right: Jessica Becker, Renee Frechette and Brandy Schwalbe

City Girl Cupcake's Caramel Chocolate Walnut cupcake

March 11, 2012 0 comments