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Share Our Strength

Cox Local Video: Gracie’s Restaurant Hosts No Kid Hungry Fundraiser

by David Dadekian January 13, 2014

This past November, Gracie’s restaurant in Providence hosted a No Kid Hungry fundraiser for Share Our Strength. Gracie’s Executive Chef Matthew Varga and Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark were joined by several guest chefs–Chef Matt Gennuso of Chez Pascal in Providence, Chef Keith Luce of The Square in Greenport, New York and Evan Mallett of the Black Trumpet Bistro in Portsmouth, New Hampshire–to prepare the evening’s cocktail reception and multi-course dinner. Wines from Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington, Connecticut were paired with the chefs’s dishes.

All ticket proceeds, as well as a live auction with items offered by the chefs and Eat Drink RI, were donated to the cause of ending childhood hunger in America. Hunger is widespread; one in five children in this country experience hunger. Long term hunger reduces a child’s ability to learn, can contribute to emotional problems, and impacts the child’s overall health. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day.

Take a look at scenes from the evening and please check out nokidhungry.org to see how you can help end childhood hunger in America.

Cox Presents Eat Drink RI with David Dadekian is a video series produced by Cox Sports Online to showcase the vibrant and friendly food community in the Rhode Island area. Check out coxsportsonline.com for more local programming.

January 13, 2014 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news

Gracie’s hosts the region’s most celebrated chefs for dinner benefiting Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign – UPDATED

by guest October 16, 2013

written by guest

The chefs for the No Kid Hungry Providence Dinner (from left to right): Keith Luce, Matthew Varga, Evan Mallett, Matt Gennuso and Melissa Denmark

Gracie’s hosts the region’s most celebrated chefs for dinner benefiting Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign

On November 11, the region’s most celebrated chefs will gather at Gracie’s to prepare a multi-course dinner for a cause: ending childhood hunger in the United States. This is the second time the AAA Four Diamond award-winning restaurant will partner with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign to support its efforts to ensure every child has the healthy food they need, every day.

Gracie’s own Chef Matthew Varga and Pastry Chef Melissa Denmark will be joined by chefs Keith Luce of Main Restaurant, Greenport, NY; Evan Mallett of Black Trumpet Bistro, Portsmouth, NH; and Matt Gennuso of Chez Pascal, Providence, RI. The theme for the dinner is a focus on seasonal root vegetables.

“Roots are not always visible, but they are the most important part of every living thing,” said Varga. We are helping to build a foundation from which children can grow – access to nutrient rich foods to feed their bodies and minds, a strong support system to guide them every step of the way, and an education to ensure they have the knowledge to make our world a better place.”

Guests will enjoy a one of a kind dining experience and by doing so, help to raise funds for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

“Our featured chefs are dedicated to the No Kid Hungry campaign and have participated in many dinners,” said Ellen Slattery, proprietor of Gracie’s and Ellie’s Bakery. “This is the second dinner we’ve hosted at Gracie’s. The first was in 2007 and we are so proud to once again partner with the organization and to showcase the incredible collaboration and culinary talents of the chefs involved.”

Reservations may be made at http://ce.strength.org/events/no-kid-hungry-providence-dinner or through Joe Allegro at [email protected] or 917-834-5335. RSVP required, space is limited.

About Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Seated Dinners:

Share Our Strength’s national series of No Kid Hungry dinners are hosted by renowned chefs who join together with their peers to prepare multi-course meals with a cause: ending childhood hunger in the United States. Select events feature guest speakers and unique culinary, travel and lifestyle auctions. Since 2005, Share Our Strength dinners have raised nearly $7 million to support the work of the No Kid Hungry campaign, including starting and improving school breakfast programs, recruiting summer meals sites and teaching families how to shop for and prepare healthy meals on a limited budget. To learn more about the No Kid Hungry campaign and dinner series, please visit NoKidHungry.org.

October 16, 2013 0 comment

news

Rhode Island Community Food Bank 2013 Summer Food Drive and “Word Soup”

by David Dadekian May 28, 2013

written by David Dadekian

From the Rhode Island Community Food Bank comes the following two news releases. The first covers this year’s Summer Food Drive, which kicks off on June 3rd. The number of those without food in Rhode Island—a third of which are children under the age of 18—has doubled over the last six years and donations in that time have sadly decreased. Please read the details below and see how you can help this summer.

Also below is information on Word Soup, a new online poetry journal founded by Rhode Island poet Kim Baker, which is looking for poetry submissions on hunger and includes collecting donations for the RI Food Bank and Share Our Strength.

Summer Food Drive Kicks Off Monday, June 3
Major food donors make first major delivery of the summer
Public urged to conduct food drives

With the need for food assistance at an all time high, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank is seeking help from private businesses and the general public to collect 150,000 additional pounds of food this summer. On Monday, June 3, at 9:30 am, the Food Bank will kick off its 2013 Summer Food Drive at its facility at 200 Niantic Avenue.

A caravan of trucks, led by Ocean State Job Lot, will deliver the first major food donations of the summer. In addition, food drive posters, collection bins and information kits will be available to the general public.

“Many local companies are stepping up with donations of food and funds to help families get through the challenging summer months,” said Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We’re also counting on caring individuals to initiate food drives in their neighborhoods, businesses, organizations and faith communities.”

Food donations have been dropping in recent years, while the need has grown at a staggering pace. The Food Bank’s statewide network of food pantries and meal sites now serves more than 66,000 people every month, up from 33,000 in 2007.

One in three served by the Food Bank is a child under the age of 18. Currently, 22% of Rhode Island’s children live below the federal poverty threshold. Rhode Island has the highest level of food insecurity in New England.

Childhood hunger is a particularly challenging problem during the summer, when school lunches and breakfasts are no longer available to children in need. Less than 10% of the 50,000 Rhode Island children receiving free and reduced-price lunches accessed the federally funded Summer Food Service Program last year.

“We are working with the Rhode Island Department of Education and other key partners to increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program,” said Schiff. “In the meantime, we need to be prepared for a significant increase in demand at our food pantries across the state. We really need every concerned citizen to consider what they can give.”

Food drive materials will be available at the Food Bank’s offices at 200 Niantic Avenue in Providence every weekday from 8 am to 5 pm while supplies last. For more information on conducting your own food drive, contact Farris Maxwell at [email protected] or 401-230-1690.

Financial donations are critically important as well. Every dollar donated enables the Food Bank to acquire three pounds of nutritious food. You can donate online at www.rifoodbank.org/SummerFoodDrive or send a check to Summer Food Drive, RI Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907.

The Summer Food Drive is sponsored by Ocean State Job Lot and Go Veggie™. In addition, many local food distributors will make significant food donations to the Food Bank during the Summer Food Drive to help the Food Bank reach its 150,000-pound goal.

Other businesses supporting the Summer Food Drive kick-off include Bliss Bros. Dairy, Stop & Shop, Little Rhody Foods, Top This Fire-Grilled Pizza Crusts, Confreda Greenhouses & Farms, Pippin Orchard, Daniele Inc., Autocrat, Mansfield Paper Company, Munroe Diary, Pepsi Bottling Company and Roch’s Fresh Foods, Reinhart Food Service and AGAR.

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Word Soup Seeks Poetry Submissions on Issue of Hunger
New online poetry journal raises money for RI Food Bank and Share Our Strength

Word Soup, a new online poetry journal founded by Rhode Island poet Kim Baker, is accepting submissions now through August 1 for its premier issue, due out in September 2013. Poets may send three to five poems per submission. A reading fee of $6/submission will be donated entirely to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Share Our Strength, a national organization focused on childhood hunger.

“Word Soup wants to end hunger one poem at a time,” says Baker. “To that glorious end, we are seeking well-crafted poems on the theme of hunger. Imagine “hunger” in all its possible meanings, from physical food deprivation to hunger for love, acceptance, actualization.”

To submit poetry, first go to https://goto.rifoodbank.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=473 to pay the $6 reading fee, and then email your poems to [email protected].

For more information on Word Soup, visit http://wordsoup.weebly.com. For information on the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, visit www.rifoodbank.org.

May 28, 2013 0 comment

chefs & restaurants news wine & drinks

News Bites: Gracie’s, The Capital Grille/Share Our Strength, Mama Kim’s Korean BBQ and Temple Downtown

by David Dadekian March 16, 2012

written by David Dadekian

from left to right: Gracie's Director of Special Events Brendan Chipley Roane, Gracie's Owner Ellen Gracyalny and AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs Lloyd Albert

Gracie’s

Congratulations to Gracie’s restaurant in Providence on receiving the AAA Four Diamond Award. Gracie’s is one of only three restaurants in Rhode Island to earn the award in 2011 and one of only 754 restaurants in the nation to hold the AAA Four Diamond rating. The AAA Four Diamond Award was presented to Gracie’s and other Rhode Island recipients earlier this month at a luncheon hosted by AAA Southern New England at the Ocean House in Westerly. Gracie’s owner Ellen Gracyalny said, “We are thrilled to receive this award and honored to be recognized for the execution of our philosophy. The entire Gracie’s team believes deeply in our mission of educating and enhancing the palate with fresh ingredients inspired by the seasons and to do so with extraordinary service and attention to detail. I am so proud of our incredible team and grateful to all of our loyal guests and dedicated purveyors who helped Gracie’s achieve this wonderful recognition by AAA.”

AAA’s rating process system is aimed at providing restaurant-goers with guidance on good, basic food or an extraordinary dining experience. The AAA Four Diamond Award is presented to restaurants focused on a menu marked by a high degree of creativity and complexity and delivered upon by an executive chef and accomplished staff who use imaginative presentations to enhance high quality, market-fresh ingredients. The award also reflects a proficient service staff that demonstrates a strong desire to meet or exceed guest expectations, a wine steward who provides menu-specific knowledge on wine selection and a highly refined, comfortable and well-coordinated ambiance.

Seasons at the Ocean House and the Spiced Pear at The Chanler at Cliff Walk were the two other Rhode Island restaurants who received the AAA Four Diamond rating.

Gracie’s, 194 Washington St., Providence, RI 02903. 401-272-7811

The Capital Grille Artist Series Wine with winning artwork by Julie Agee

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille Artist Series Wine Event is returning for its third year beginning March 19. This annual event gives guests at The Capital Grille the opportunity to purchase an exclusive, limited allocation wine adorned with a unique piece of original artwork as its label, while supporting Share Our Strength and their mission to end childhood hunger in America. The restaurant will once again donate $25 to Share Our Strength for every limited-edition bottle sold.

This year’s Artist Series wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon hand-selected by The Capital Grille’s own Master Sommelier, George Miliotes.”We are extremely pleased to bring back the Artist Series Wine Event for a third consecutive year. As always, we are thrilled to support a worthy cause like Share Our Strength, which helps feed hungry children in America. The Capital Grille has donated nearly $1 million to Share Our Strength over the past four years, and we look forward to reaching and exceeding that milestone this year,” said John Martin, President of The Capital Grille. The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet was hand-crafted at Napa Valley’s Freemark Abbey Winery by Ted Edwards, in collaboration with George Miliotes. Fewer than 1,000 cases of the wine, blended solely for The Capital Grille, were produced. To match the work of art inside the bottle, The Capital Grille invited artists and wine lovers to submit original art for the bottle’s label, during a competition held last fall. The winning painting, Complexity, by Missouri-based artist Julie Agee, was chosen for the way the vibrant colors and abstract lines perfectly complement the robust flavors and subtle undertones of the wine. The artwork will appear on every individually numbered bottle of The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Capital Grille, 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903. 401-521-5600

Mama Kim's Korean BBQ Banchan Menu

Mama Kim’s Korean BBQ

Mama Kim’s Korean BBQ truck has opened their extensive banchan (“side dish”) menu to the public, twice-a-week, via pre-order only. Each banchan will be cooked fresh and packaged individually, and comes with Mama Kim’s Five-Grain Rice, which uses premium mochi rice. You can order either in person at the truck—follow Mama Kim’s Twitter feed or Facebook page to find where the trucks are located—or by email at [email protected]. Order by Wednesday, and they’ll have it ready for pick-up Friday; order by Friday, they’ll have it ready for pick-up Wednesday. Click the menu to the right for a large version of the full menu.

Temple Downtown Restaurant and Lounge

Temple Downtown Restaurant and Lounge now offers $5 flatbreads in the lounge every day from 3 to 6 p.m.. The 10-inch thin-crust flatbreads include three toppings. Additional toppings will cost 25 cents each. The flatbreads feature a variety of sauces—white, oil and garlic, tomato and pesto. The cheeses include feta, taleggio, Gorgonzola dolce, fresh mozzarella, manchego, reggiano and ricotta. The possible toppings are extensive—sausage, pepperoni, chorizo, bacon, Serrano ham, anchovies, calamari, littleneck clams, shrimp, basil, sliced tomatoes, kalamata olives, asparagus, sliced red onions, roasted peppers, mushrooms, arugula, spinach, garlic, oregano and fines herbes.

Temple Downtown Restaurant and Lounge, 120 Francis St., Providence, RI 02903. 401-919-5050

March 16, 2012 0 comment

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