The annual Eat Drink RI Festival’s Grand Tasting took place at the Rhode Island Convention Center on April 28. The tasting featured beer, wine and spirits from local producers, suppliers and national brands, with cuisine prepared by a roster of Rhode Island chefs on stage. This year’s Grand Tasting featured a second food and drink presentation area that allowed spectators an up-close look while the chefs worked. Featured chefs included Easy Entertaining, Inc.’s Chef Ashley Vanasse, Narragansett Creamery’s Pattie and Mark Federico, Chef Derek Wagner of Nick’s on Broadway, Blackbird Farm’s Ann Marie Bouthillette and Chef Jake Rojas of Tallulah’s Taqueria.
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- Michaela Brinkley, Customer Service and Marketing Coordinator, Revival Brewing Co. and Alex Roskowski, Brewer, Revival Brewing Company.
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- Debbie Noonan, Sales Representative, Jonathan Edwards Winery and Susan Denice, Rhode Island Representative, Jonathan Edwards Winery, Edwards Wines, LLC.
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- Philip Correia, Sales Representative, MS Walker of Rhode Island, with Nautical Gin.
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- Justin Garrison, Rhode Island Brand Ambassador, Broken Shed New Zealand Vodka.
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- Aimee Wilcox, Brand Ambassador, Brockmans Premium Gin; Lauren O’Reilly, Market Manager Connecticut/Rhode Island, Brockmans Premium Gin; and Crystal Howard, Brand Ambassador, Brockmans Premium Gin.
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- Joaquin Meza, Owner/Bar Manager, El Rancho Grande, during a cocktail demo.
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- Kaila Gayette, Tasting Room Associate, Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard and Laura Aybdzan, Tasting Room Associate, Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard.
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- Kristin D’Anelo, Promotions, Whalers Brewing Co. and Cassie Tasich, Promotions, Whalers Brewing Co.
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- Tony Colavecchio, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co.
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- Jay Catley, Rhode Island Sales Manager, Foolproof Brewing Co.
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- Raphael Valdes, Prep Cook, Brix Restaurant, Newport Vineyards; Kendra Carlisle, Marketing & Sales Coordinator, Newport Vineyards; and Andy Teixeira, Executive Chef, Brix Restaurant, Newport Vineyards.
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- Vanessa Laporte, Promotional Representative, Narragansett Beer Co. and Jamie Buscher, Marketing Manager, Narragansett Beer Co.
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- Megan Freitas, Brand Ambassador, Mad River Distillery.
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- Chef Derek Wagner, Nick’s on Broadway.
Photos by Laura Widness.
