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Mark Federico

World Championship Cheese Contest Gold Medalist 2022

chefs & restaurants news wine & drinks

News Bites: Narragansett Creamery Wins at World Championship Cheese Contest / RI Breweries Easter 2022 Schedule / Blackstone Valley Culinary News

by David Dadekian April 11, 2022

written by David Dadekian

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

Narragansett Creamery wins Gold and Bronze Medals at the World Championship Cheese Contest

Narragansett Creamery was awarded a First Place Gold Medal for its Low-Fat Coffee Yogurt at the World Championship Cheese Contest on March 3–5 in Wisconsin. Our low-fat coffee yogurt contains milk and probiotic cultures, contains no stabilizers or preservatives, and is lactose free.

Narragansett Creamery was also awarded a 3rd Place Bronze Medal for its Burrata Cheese. Each Narragansett Creamery Burrata is made by hand. Mozzarella is stretched to form a pocket where it is then hand-filled with Stracciatella, a mixture of “torn” mozzarella (Stracciare – to tear apart) cream, and a trace of salt.

This year’s World Competition was highly competitive with 2,978 entries from 29 countries. The contest initiated in 1957, is organized by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.

“We are honored to win these awards in the Yogurt and Burrata categories and to be included with such an outstanding group of dedicated and creative cheesemakers,” said Mark Federico, owner and co-founder of Narragansett Creamery.

Narragansett Creamery is a family-owned creamery based in Providence, RI that uses milk from nearby New England farms to make its artisanal cheeses and yogurts.

“We thank our local farmers who supply us with excellent quality milk which enables us to create award-willing cheeses,” Federico said.

RI Breweries Easter 2022 Schedule

Wondering if your favorite RI Brewers Guild facility will be open on Easter? Here’s a list of open and closed breweries for Sunday, April 17^th. See you there!

Fool Proof Brewing                          Normal hours, 12 noon – 6
Linesider                                            Normal hours, 12 noon – 6
Long Live Beerworks                       Normal hours 12 noon – 5
Lops Brewing                                    10 am to 6 pm
Moniker Brewery                              Normal hours
Narragansett Beer                           Normal hours
Newport Craft Brewing                    Normal hours
Pivotal Brewing                                Normal hours 12 noon to 5
Proclamation Ale                              12 noon to 6
Providence Brewing Co                  Normal hours
Ravenous Brewing                          Normal hours
Rejects Beer Co                               Normal hours
Shaidzon Beer Co                           12 noon to 5
Six Pack Brewing                             12 noon to 5
Taproots Brewing Co                      11 am to 4 pm (bar service only, no food)
The General’s Crossing                  Normal hours
Twelve Guns Brewing                     Normal hours
Union Station Brewery                    11:30 am to 1:00 am
West Passage Brewpub                 Normal hours

Apponaug Brewing Co                    Closed                        Revival (LVP&B)                              Closed
Beer on Earth                                   Closed                        Smug Brewing                                  Closed
Bravo Brewing                                  Closed                        The Guild Pawtucket                       Closed
Buttonwoods                                     Closed                        The Guild Warren                            Closed
Chair 2                                               Closed                        Tilted Barn Brewery                         Closed
Coddington Brewpub                       Closed                        Trinity Brewhouse                            Closed
Crooked Current                              Closed                        Whalers Brewing                              Closed
Grey Sail Brewing of RI                  Closed                        Ragged Island Farm Brewery
Hive Beer                                          Closed                                    (Closed temporarily under construction)

Blackstone Valley Culinary News – April 6, 2022

Davenport’s Family Restaurant
1070 Mendon Road, Cumberland 02864
401-334-1017
Davenport’s Bar and Grille
1925 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence 02914
401-438-3381
davenportsri.com

Davenport’s has new spring specials. And they are also now offering gluten-free pizza which has been very popular.

Kountry Kitchen/Kountry Clam Shack
10 Smith Avenue, Greenville 0282
401-949-0840
Kountryfoodgroup.com

Sadly, our friends at Kountry Kitchen will be closing the restaurant on April 10. The Kountry Clam Shack did a Culinaria Live episode with us which was great! We’re happy that the Delos family will be retiring and relaxing. The restaurant has been purchased and will be undergoing renovations for about six months before it reopens under new ownership. So stop by before April 10 to enjoy Kountry Kitchen one more time and to wish the Delos family well! Here is more information in a Valley Breeze article

Angelos Palace Pizza
133 Mendon Road, Cumberland 02864
401-728-3340
Angelospalacepizza.com

Angelo’s is having an Easter brunch on Sunday, April 17. Seatings are at 10:30 am and 1 pm – reservations are required. Adults are $30; Children are $20; and children under 5 are $15. Check out the buffet menu HERE

Spumoni’s
1537 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket 02861
401-726-4449
spumonisrestaurant.com/

Spumoni’s is offering their famous Easter brunch again and I hear it’s spectacular! It will be on Sunday, April 17 between 10 am and 3 pm and the cost is $28.99. Reservations are accepted for parties of 5 or more, but don’t wait to call for reservations (at the above number). Check out the Easter Brunch Menu

Ye Olde English Fish & Chips
25 South Main Street, Woonsocket 02895
401-762-3637
Yeoldeenglishfishandchips.com

Congratulations to the Robinson Family at Ye Olde English Fish and Chips on their 100^th Anniversary! There was a great story by WPRI about the Robinson Family and the history of the iconic Woonsocket restaurant. Read it HERE

Rhode Island Spirits
59 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket 02860
401-856-4111
Rhodeislandspirits.com

Rhode Island Spirits has a very busy event schedule. Hope you can join them for some of these events:

· Friday April 8 Distillery Bingo 6-8, free, no reservation required; Cookie Chow will also be onsite with sweet treats!

· Saturday April 9, Uncorked! (to benefit RI PBS). We’ll be at the Pawtucket Armory for this event with samples of Rhodium products.

· Sunday April 10 Gin School (sold out, but there are tickets available for June/July/August)

· Friday April 15 Distillery Trivia with Jordan 6-8, free, no reservation required, PRIZES

· CLOSED Easter Sunday April 17

· Sunday May 8 Mothers Day We’ll be featuring Donuts, Spiked Coffee, Bloody Marys and Mimosas

Mimi & Pop’s Ice Cream Shop
1306 Broad Street, Central Falls, RI 02863
401-474-8185

Mimi & Pop’s opened on April 1. Stop by for some sweet treats – soft serve and hard serve ice cream, banana splits, milkshakes and more!

Poke Brothers
622 George Washington Highway, Lincoln 02865
401-642-8708
Facebook.com/pokebroslincoln

New restaurant alert! This new restaurant, specializing in Hawaiian-style Poke bowls, has opened a Lincoln Commons location – the first franchise to open in New England! Read all about them in this Valley Breeze article. Here’s a picture of their MENU or you can design your own bowl.

Notes Coffee Co.
508 Armistice Blvd., Pawtucket 02861
401-335-5181
notescoffeeco.com

Save the Date! Notes Coffee Co. will be holding their first Maker’s Market event on Friday, April 22 from 6 to 9 pm. More info to follow regarding the artisans who will be there.

Smug Brewing
100 Carver Street, Pawtucket 02860
401-642-5701
Smugbrewing.com

PICK UP and TAPROOM HOURS FOR THIS WEEK:

April 6th, Wednesday 1pm – 6pm (Pick-up only)

April 7th, Thursday 3pm-9pm (Taproom and Pick-up) Trivia with Reb begins at 6:30 and 7:30; Nanu Burmese Fusion onsite

April 8th, Friday 3pm-9pm (Taproom / Pick-up)

April 9th, Saturday 1pm-10pm (Taproom / Pick-up)

Bonsai Bar event and Sarcastic Sweets

April 10th, Sunday 12pm – 5pm (Taproom / Pick-up)

April 11, 2022 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news

News Bites: Red Stripe Names GM of Providence / Rhode Island Restaurateur Named to Executive Committee of NRA / Narragansett Creamery Awarded Silver Medal

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 Kari Carreiro General Manager

Attleboro Resident brings over 20 Years of Leadership Experience to Providence Location

Red Stripe restaurants, located at 465 Angell Street in Providence and 455 Main Street in East Greenwich, are pleased to announce that Kari Carreiro has joined its Providence location as general manager. In her new role, Carreiro will oversee the day-to-day operations and work alongside AGM Mike Merluzzo, Chef de Cuisine Mike Lindenlauf, and the rest of the service and culinary teams of the restaurant.

Carreiro brings 23 years of hospitality and retail experience to her new position. Most recently, Kari served as a general manager for the creative scratch kitchen concept, Not Your Average Joes, where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, including hiring and training of staff and guest relations. Additionally, she has served as manager for Back Bay Restaurants and The Stockyard Restaurant in Boston. Kari also holds numerous nationally-recognized service industry certifications.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kari to our team,” said Jim Brosseau, Director of Restaurant Operations, Encore Hospitality Group. “She has earned great experience from some top-tier establishments, and this knowledge is a true asset to our organization. We look forward to working with Kari to further elevate the guest experience in Providence.”

A graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art, Carreiro currently resides in Attleboro, MA.

First Rhode Island Restaurateur Named to Executive Committee of National Restaurant Association

Brian Casey of Oak Hill Tavern & Company Picnic Company to become Chairman in 2021

Brian Casey, president and owner of the Oak Hill Tavern and the Company Picnic Company, both located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, has been named the 2019 treasurer of the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and is set to become chairman of the NRA in 2021. The North Kingstown resident is the first Rhode Islander to be appointed to the NRA Executive Committee in its 100-year history.

The lifelong Rhode Island resident and Rhode Island College graduate has served as a two-term chairman of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association’s (RIHA) board of directors in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, he was named “Caterer of the Year” by RIHA at its annual meeting and “Stars of the Industry” awards ceremony. In 2013, he was also named RIHA’s “Restaurateur of the Year.”

“We could not be prouder of Brian regarding his appointment to the NRA Executive Committee,” said Dale J. Venturini, President/CEO, RIHA. “To have a local restaurant owner, steadfast industry advocate and entrepreneur on the NRA Executive Committee is truly indicative of the excellence of the hospitality industry in Rhode Island. We may be the smallest state in the Union, but thanks to the leadership of Brian and others like him, our voice is one of the strongest.”

The National Restaurant Association aims to lead America’s restaurant industry towards prosperity, prominence, and participation to enhance the quality of life for all that they serve. The NRA plans to build influences, build workforces, train and certify, and set goals to achieve – goals which Brian Casey is sure to tackle head-on.

“I am extremely honored to represent the hospitality industry in Rhode Island as the newly-appointed treasurer of the NRA Executive Committee,” said Brian Casey. “As a lifelong resident of the state, I recognize how fortunate I am to be given this amazing opportunity, and I very much look forward to the challenge ahead.”

Narragansett Creamery Awarded a Silver Medal for its Burrata Cheese at the United States Championship Cheese

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

Narragansett Creamery was awarded a Silver Medal for its Burrata Cheese at the United States Championship Cheese Contest held March 5-7, 2019.

Each Narragansett Creamery Burrata is made by hand. Mozzarella is stretched to form a pocket where it is then hand-filled with Stracciatella, a mixture of “torn” mozzarella (Stracciare – to tear apart) cream, and a trace of salt.

This year, the U S Wisconsin Cheese Contest received 2,555 entries in 116 different categories from 35 states.

“We are honored to win this award in the Burrata category and to be included with such an outstanding group of dedicated and creative cheese makers,” said Mark Federico, owner and co-founder of Narragansett Creamery.

Launched in 2007 by Federico, his wife Pattie, son Mark Jr., and local food advocate Louella Hill, Narragansett Creamery is a family owned creamery based in Providence that uses milk from nearby New England farms to make its artisanal cheeses and yogurts.

“We thank our local farmers who supply us with excellent quality milk which enables us to create award-willing cheeses,” Federico said.

May 9, 2019 0 comment

chefs & restaurants farms news wine & 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

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

news

R.I. DEM News Releases: DEM Praises Voters for Approving Environmental Bonds & Rhody Fresh to Debut Newest Product at Event

by David Dadekian November 12, 2012

written by David Dadekian

RI Department of Environmental Management

For Release: November 7, 2012
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

DEM PRAISES RHODE ISLAND VOTERS FOR APPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL BONDS TO PRESERVE WATER QUALITY, OPEN SPACE, FARMLAND, AND BOOST RECREATION DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE

PROVIDENCE – Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit today praised Rhode Island voters for their commitment to investing in clean water, green space and Narragansett Bay restoration by approving the two environmental bond issues on this year’s statewide ballot.

“By overwhelmingly supporting Questions 5 and 6, Rhode Islanders in every city and town across our beautiful state are helping to promote healthier communities and a healthier economy,” said Director Coit. “Thank you, Rhode Islanders, for saying YES for clean water. YES for productive farmland. YES for wild places. YES for parks where kids can play. YES for healthy rivers and bays. The Rhode Island people have given a resounding YES to investing in, restoring and caring for our environment!”

The two ballot questions were approved by 70 percent of Rhode Island voters and provide much-needed funding for clean water investments in addition to green space preservation and recreation development. Question 5 provides $20 million to the RI Clean Water Finance Agency for wastewater and drinking water system upgrades across the state that will help ensure cleaner beaches and bays, more productive fisheries, and healthier communities. Construction of drinking water infrastructure projects and wastewater treatment plant upgrades will put people to work as well as bring clean water to our homes and preserve our rivers and bays.

Question 6 provides $20 million to DEM for farmland, local recreation and open space grants, parks, state open space acquisition, and restoration of Narragansett Bay and its watershed. Over the years, DEM’s state open space, farmland and recreational development grant programs have resulted in the protection of hundreds of worthwhile projects – places used by residents and tourists alike for outdoor recreation – and contributed to the economic health of the state. Tourism is a $5.2 billion industry, making it the fourth largest economic engine for Rhode Island and a key job generator, which supports more than 41,000 jobs in the state.

According to Director Coit, Rhode Island’s natural resources continue to be powerful drivers for economic development and tourism and sources of great pride for its residents. These natural assets play a big role in the state’s tourist economy by providing opportunities for the public to camp, fish, hunt, hike, and enjoy the great outdoors, and at the same time bring revenue to the local economy. Residents and tourists spend over $378 million annually in Rhode Island on trip and equipment-related expenditures for fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching activities, according to the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (2006).

Rhode Island’s farms are important small businesses that contribute to the health of our economy, Director Coit pointed out. Agriculture provides numerous benefits to RI’s economy, quality of life, open space, and access to local foods and horticultural products. In fact, as a recent URI study pointed out, the 2,500 green industry businesses in RI sustain 12,300 jobs and contribute $1.7 billion annually to the state’s economy.

Director Coit praised the coalition of conservation organizations and volunteers that worked to inform and educate the public about the importance of the bonds. They include The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society of RI, Save The Bay, Grow Smart Rhode Island, RI Building Trades, Utility Contractors Association of RI, RI Saltwater Anglers Association, RI Shellfishermen’s Association, RI Land Trust Council and the many local land trusts that supported passage of Questions 5 and 6. “DEM will work vigorously to insure that Rhode Islanders get the best return on this investment in natural resource protection by continuing and strengthening our collaboration with organizations and agencies across the state,” she added.

“By voting YES for the environmental bonds, Rhode Islanders have given us the green light to continue to preserve and protect our state’s unparalleled natural beauty and water resources for generations to come,” Director Coit said.

For Release: November 9, 2012
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

RHODY FRESH TO UNVEIL NEWEST PRODUCT – BUTTERKASE CHEESE – WITH NARRAGANSETT CREAMERY ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture will join representatives from Rhody Fresh Milk and Narragansett Creamery in Providence to unveil a new variety of artisan cheese – Rhody Fresh’s newest product – on Tuesday, November 13. Butterkase, a hand-crafted artisan German-style soft cheese is made in Providence at Providence Specialty Products, using milk from Rhody Fresh dairy farms.

The Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative, which produces Rhody Fresh Milk, was formed in 2004 by a group of five dairy farmers who believed the Rhode Island community was thirsty for locally-produced, fresh milk. Today, Rhode Fresh Milk has grown to include nine dairy farms throughout the state and is sold at retail stores, colleges, and other locations throughout the state. Rhody Fresh Milk is also now used to make the new, delicious varieties of local artisan cheese and butter.

Narragansett Creamery has been handcrafting award-winning fresh and aged cheeses in Providence since 2007, when Louella Hill, a local food advocate, joined forces with Mark Federico, already a cheese maker and owner of Providence Specialty Products, to craft a line of artisan cheeses and yogurt. In just five years their cheeses have garnered a dedicated following in Rhode Island and beyond, and are sought after by professional chefs and home cooks alike.

Participants in Tuesday’s event will include DEM Director Janet Coit; Ann Gooding, communications director for the Providence Department of Planning and Development; Louis Escobar of Escobar Highland Farm in Portsmouth and winner of the 2012 Green Pastures Award, who will speak on behalf of Rhody Fresh; and Mark Federico of Providence Specialty Cheese.

November 12, 2012 0 comment