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.
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
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.
