Beverage industry professionals joined together in support of Forge City Works, a local nonprofit whose mission is to help people in the Hartford area by creating access to healthy food, employment and job training and sustainable social enterprises. Chef, industry leader and Hartford resident Ben Dubow serves as its executive director. Hosted at Alvarium Beer Co. in New Britain on July 26, in collaboration with Brescome Barton and Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon among dozens who donated their time, products and services, the Forge It Forward Fundraiser united community members to raise funds and increase appreciation of the food and beverage industry’s positive impact within the community. Guests enjoyed craft cocktails by guest bartender Khalid Williams, The Barrel Age, along with Alvarium draft beer, Alvarium Roasting Drip Coffee and cuisine from several local chefs. Proceeds raised go toward the nonprofit’s efforts to open Fire by Forge restaurant, set in the former location of Firebox, the Hartford restaurant that closed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. Now owned by Forge City Works, Fire by Forge will become part of its culinary and service jobs training program, and will also offer transitional employment, internships and apprenticeships.
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- Cherokee Robbins, Alvarium Beer Co. and Ben Dubow, Executive Director, Forge City Works speaking with Fox 61 News during the event.
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- Justin Morales, Co-founder, Up n’ Down Rock and Bourbon; Ben Dubow, Executive Director, Forge City Works; Jillian Carey, Account Development Manager, Brescome Barton; Dan McManus, Sales Representative, Brescome Barton; and Evan Beazley, Co-founder and Co-owner, Fruitful Mixology.
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- Ruby Van Guilder, Sous Chef, Forge City Works; Ben Dubow, Executive Director, Forge City Works; Andrew Perri, Executive Chef, Forge City Works; Vincente Rivera, Culinary Trainee, Forge City Works; and Cherokee Robbins, Sour Slayer and Brand Ambassador, Alvarium Beer Co.
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- Khalid Williams, The Barrel Age created craft cocktails for guests.
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- Ryan Buchanan, Owner/Chef and Michael Orozco, Chef, Hot Taco Street Kitchen Food Truck and Hot Tapas Street Kitchen Food Trailer.
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- All of The Statement Group: Zac Morton, Chief Operating Officer; Xavier Santiago, Culinary Director; Gina Luari, Founder and CEO; Hannah Fitzgerald, Brand Manager; Sam Angermann, Creative Director. Front: Chanthoeun Thanh, Corporate Chef.
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- Julien Garcia, General Manager and Jason Rawlings, Chef, Bears Smokehouse BBQ at The Stack, New Haven.
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- Carlos Perez, Executive Chef, At the Corner and Candice Lee, ATC South St.
Photos by Lisa Nichols, Bread & Beast Food Photographer.
