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March of Dimes

Chef Joe Simone Named Signature Chef for March of Dimes Rhode Island’s 13th Annual Signature Chef Auction

by David Dadekian July 15, 2014

Chef Joe Simone Named Signature Chef for March of Dimes Rhode Island’s 13th Annual Signature Chef Auction
Fundraiser to Feature Tastings from more than 20 of Rhode Island’s Best Chefs

March of Dimes Rhode Island 2014 Signature Chef Joe Simone with Signature Chef Auction Chair Ellen Slattery of Gracie’s

Simone’s, soon to open at 275 Child Street in Warren, RI, is pleased to announce that Chef/Owner Joe Simone has been named the 2014 Signature Chef for the March of Dimes Rhode Island’s 13th Annual Signature Chef Auction, taking place Thursday, September 18th at the historic Providence Art Club. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.marchofdimes.com/rhodeisland. For more information about Simone’s, please visit www.simonesRI.com.

“I am so honored to be chosen as this year’s Signature Chef,” said Joe Simone, Chef/Owner of Simone’s restaurant. “This is an organization that is near and dear to me and the Simone’s crew, and we are looking forward to working with our talented culinary colleagues to provide an unforgettable evening for a great cause.”

The annual Signature Chefs Auction is a culinary extravaganza that features tastings from more than 20 of Rhode Island’s best chefs and restaurants and unique live and silent auction packages. Funds raised will support the mission of March of Dimes – giving all babies a healthy start in life.

“We are thrilled to announce Joe Simone as this year’s Signature Chef,” said Neil Sharpe, Interim State Director for the March of Dimes Rhode Island. “Joe has been a passionate supporter of the March of Dimes for many years and his excitement was palpable when Signature Chef Auction Chair, Ellen Slattery of Gracie’s, and David Dadekian of eat drink RI surprised him with a visit to make the announcement.”

July 15, 2014 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

March of Dimes 12th Annual Signature Chefs Auction Coming September 19, 2013

by David Dadekian August 29, 2013

written by David Dadekian

March of Dimes Rhode Island’s 2013 Signature Chef Kevin Thiele of the Hotel Viking / One Bellevue

It’s almost time once again for one of the year’s best chef and restaurant events in Rhode Island, the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. Where else can you find 24 of the area’s best chefs preparing their fantastic food in the same place, while also benefitting a great charity? The event is coming up on Thursday, September 19 in Newport and tickets are available here. Full details follow in the March of Dimes Rhode Island release below.

Something’s Cooking In Newport and the Key Ingredient Is . . . You!
Twenty-four of Rhode Island’s top chefs “come to the table” with their signature dishes to support the State’s tiniest citizens at 12th Anniversary of March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction Event
Ever have one of those nights where you want to dine out but just can’t decide which of your favorite restaurants to go to or what kind of food you’re in the mood for? Problem solved for at least one day anyway. Head to Belle Mer on Goat Island in Newport on September 19 at 6 p.m. and enjoy the company and signature dishes of 24 of Rhode Island’s leading chefs. The chefs will leave their restaurant posts for the day to lend their culinary talents to the March of Dimes’ 12th annual Signature Chefs Auction. By attending the event, you’ll be helping R.I.’s tiniest citizens – its babies – while partaking in a culinary extravaganza with a front-row seat of the ocean.
“We are so fortunate to have such top-tier cooking talent all under one roof for this important event,” said Betsy Akin, director of March of Dimes Rhode Island. “These leading chefs have graciously donated their time to prepare samplings of unforgettable dishes to help support the March of Dimes, and subsequently, to help give babies a healthy start in life.”
Ellen Slattery, owner of Gracie’s and co-chair for the sixth consecutive year of the Signature Chefs Auction, added, “This is a true show of collaborative spirit and combined talents for a very important cause. As someone who has been personally touched by the March of Dimes and knows all too well how scary it is when a baby is struggling, it means so much to me that all of these skilled chefs are sharing their gift for cooking in support of this great organization which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.”
Serving as co-chair of the event with Slattery is Annette Picerne of East Greenwich.
In addition to the “Signature Chef” samplings, a tribute will be “on the menu” as Chef Kevin Thiele of Newport’s Hotel Viking/One Bellevue will be presented as March of Dimes Rhode Island’s 2013 Signature Chef. The evening will also include participation of celebrity auctioneer and entertainer Sir Jeremy Bell of Edinburgh, Scotland, who will auction off superb culinary, accommodation, theater and vacation packages. To give a “taste” of the evening, one of the superb items on offer during the Live Auction is an 8 day cruise, with stateroom river view accommodations of the storied Danube River and through 4 of Europe’s most enchanting countries – Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia – courtesy of Viking Cruises.
Participating chefs include: Kevin Thiele of Hotel Viking/One Bellevue, Karsten Hart of Castle Hill Inn, Michael Hervieux of Belle Mer – all in Newport; Matthew Varga of Gracie’s, Brian Kingsford of Bacaro, Josh Herring of CAV, Massimiliano Mariotta of The Dorrance, Melissa Denmark of Ellie’s Bakery, Joe DeQuattro of Pane e Vino, Rolando Robledo of Aspire at Hotel Providence, Edward Bolus of Mills Tavern, Jennifer Luxmoore of Sin Desserts, Maria Meza of El Rancho Grande, Kaitlyn Roberts of Easy Entertaining, Jon Dille of The Grange – all in Providence; Champe Speidel of Persimmon, Sai Viswanath of DeWolf Tavern – both in Bristol; Joe Simone of The Sunnyside in Warren; Kevin Gaudreau of The Boat House in Tiverton; Andrew Shotts of Garrison Confections in Central Falls; Ben Wood of Wildwood Catering in Kingston; Raymond Montaquila of The Coast Guard House in Narragansett, Ben Lacy of Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro in Foxboro, Mass. and Kevin Des Chenes.
The Signature Chefs Auction begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $150. Corporate and host tables are available, and the March of Dimes hopes that individuals and companies recognize the opportunity to help babies and their families while enjoying inventive and succulent dishes in an elegant venue.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities and tickets, contact Neil Sharpe at March of Dimes at 401.228.1932 or visit www.marchofdimes.com/rhodeisland
Proceeds from the Signature Chefs Auction will help support the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.

August 29, 2013 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news wine & drinks

Chef Kevin Thiele named Rhode Island March of Dimes 2013 Signature Chef

by David Dadekian June 13, 2013

written by David Dadekian

Chef Kevin Thiele

March of Dimes 12th Annual Signature Chefs Auction
Thursday, September 19, 2013 Belle Mer, Newport

March of Dimes Rhode Island is delighted to announce that award-winning Chef Kevin Thiele will be its 2013 Signature Chef. Thiele is Director of Food and Beverage/Executive Chef at the venerable Hotel Viking in Newport, RI, part of Noble House Hotels & Resorts Ltd.

Ellen Slattery, owner of Gracie’s Restaurant and Ellie’s Bakery in Providence and Annette Picerne, are this year’s event co-chairs. Slattery, on behalf of the Chefs’ Nominating Committee, recommended Chef Thiele as the March of Dimes Rhode Island 2013 Signature Chef. She cited both Thiele’s culinary talents and accomplishments as well as his many years as a tireless supporter of the March of Dimes as factors, among others, in the committee’s deliberations and ultimate recommendation as this year’s honoree.

Upon hearing this news, Mark Gervais, General Manager of Hotel Viking, said, “Chef Kevin is a gifted and resourceful culinary professional. Equally important, he consistently demonstrates entrepreneurship and professionalism in all that he does and elevates his culinary team as well as the Hotel to new heights and standards of success. Suffice to say, he is a wonderful work partner. I am privileged to have Kevin as a friend and colleague.”

Betsy Akin, State Director of March of Dimes Rhode Island, and host of the 2013 Signature Chefs Auction, commented, “In this our 75th anniversary year, March of Dimes Rhode Island is honored to have Kevin as its 2013 Signature Chef. We salute all our fabulous chefs who give so freely of their time and incredible talents to support our lifesaving mission.”

March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction co-chairs Annette Picerne (left) and Ellen Slattery (right) with 2013 Signature Chef Kevin Thiele (center)

Chef Thiele said, “I am truly honored to be recognized as March of Dimes Rhode Island’s Signature Chef. Together with my fellow chefs, it is a privilege for us to share our talents and raise funds as we continue to work together for stronger, healthier babies in Rhode Island and across the country.”

Signature Chefs Auction, now in its 12th year, will be held at Belle Mer in Newport on September 19, 2013 from 6:00pm – 10:00pm and will feature 26 of RI’s finest and most talented chefs. For more information, contact Neil Sharpe at [email protected] or by telephone directly at 401.228.1932. Alternatively connect with March of Dimes on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MarchOfDimesRI

March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.

June 13, 2013 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

March of Dimes Rhode Island 11th Annual Signature Chefs Auction

by David Dadekian September 28, 2012

written by David Dadekian

From left to right, in the alternating back row: Johnson & Wales Executive Director of Alumni Relations Steven Shipley, Edward Bolus of Mill’s Tavern, Rizwan Ahmed of Hourglass Brasserie, Raymond Montaquilla of the Coast Guard House, Ryan Escudé of Centro, Jules Ramos of 1149, Tim Shook of Gracie’s, Ben Lacy of Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro, Champe Speidel of Persimmon, Benjamin Sukle of The Dorrance, Mike McHugh of Julian’s, Reddick Vaughan of Julian’s, David Cardell of Temple, Joe Simone of The Sunnyside and David Lieberman of Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro. In front from left to right: Danielle Lowe of Gracie’s, Matthew Varga of Gracie’s, Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s, Michael Hervieux of Belle Mer, Jennifer Luxmoore of Sin, unnamed from Temple, Kevin Gaudreau from Trio and Jonathan Cambra from the Boat House. Not pictured: Matt Gennuso of Chez Pascal, Karsten Hart of Castle Hill Inn and Kevin Thiele of One Bellevue.

In what has become the best annual culinary event in Rhode Island, on Thursday, September 20th, twenty-two of Rhode Island’s best chefs assembled at Belle Mer in Newport for the 11th Annual March of Dimes Rhode Island Signature Chefs Auction. This year’s honoree was Jonathan Cambra of the Boat House in Tiverton. A proud husband and father of two, Cambra has been involved with the March of Dimes event since it’s inception, has have many of the chefs pictured above and in the below photo selections. For the full set of 95 photos from this year’s event, please see this Eat Drink RI Facebook album.

Every year in the United States, more than half a million babies are born too soon, over 1,300 of them right here in Rhode Island. With your help, we work to improve the health of babies and support families if something does go wrong. – March of Dimes Rhode Island site.