The Taste of Rhode Island, a celebration of Rhode Island’s great food, local spirits and live entertainment, returned to the Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick on Oct. 20. Hosted by Pat Paolino, Pat Cruz Events, and Lupe Aguilar, Taste of Rhode Island and Rhody Foody, more than 50 of the state’s best restaurants, bakeries and caterers alongside local and regional wineries, distilleries and breweries showcased an array of offerings. Guests were treated to live cooking demonstrations by Celebrity Chef Frank Terranova and a cocktail class by award-winning Bartender Ryan Draine, Beverage Director and Creator for Development, Dig In Dining & Entertainment. A red carpet walkway greeted guests, who enjoyed a VIP area and a silent auction, among highlights, all contributing to the evening’s fundraising efforts. The annual event benefited the MAE Organization for the Homeless, a nonprofit organization based in Cranston, working to facilitate in the healing of mental illness and opioid addictions within the local homeless population.
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- The Taste of Rhode Island, a celebration of Rhode Island’s great food, local spirits and live entertainment, returned to the Crowne Plaza Providence-Warwick on Oct. 20.
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- Lupe Aguilar, Co-founder, Taste of Rhode Island and Founder and Content Creator, Rhody Foody.
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- Jeff Venuti, Marketing Manager, Boston Harbor Distillery.
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- Andrew Kientz, Senior Brand Ambassador, The Industrious Spirit Company.
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- Homer Johnsen, Development Director, Shaidzon Beer Co.
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- Brendan Kennedy, Operations Manager, Proclamation Ale Company.
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- Rachel Fanning, Marketing and Rachael Soderberg, Production, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co.
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- Sons of Liberty Message in a Bottle Ready to Drink Cocktail.
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- Sons of Liberty Honey Flavored Whiskey.
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- RI Spirits’ Jordan Dunne, Social Media/Marketing; Amy Gravel, Tasting Room Manager; and Kathy Plourde, Co-owner showcasing Rhodium gin, vodka and liqueurs.
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- RI Spirits’ Rhodium Forager’s Gin, Rhodium Citron, Rhodium Grapefruitcello Liqueur and Rhodium Coffee & Black Walnut Vodka.
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- Brand Ambassador Sam O’Connor, Wormtown Brewery.
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- Jamison Hahn, CT/RI Field Sales Representative and Mitchell Belanger, Special Projects Manager, Fishers Island Lemonade.
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- Kyle Michaud, Owner and Ben Boldt, Brewer, Twelve Guns Brewing.
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- Twelve Guns XII, Twelve Guns Marshmallow Inferno and Twelve Guns Nutty Professor.
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- Ryan Draine, Beverage Director and Creator for Development, Dig In Dining & Entertainment, was the event’s guest bartender.
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- An array of fall-flavored signature event craft cocktails mixed by Guest Bartender Ryan Draine.
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- A signature event cocktail.
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- Guests enjoyed craft cocktails mixed by Guest Bartender Ryan Draine.
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- Savannah Mediano, Guest Services and Christina Guairn, Guest Services Supervisor, Newport Vineyards and Taproot Brewing.
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- Andrew Greenleaf, RI Market Manager, Bully Boy Distillers.
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- Narragansett Beer’s Aaron French, Head Chef; Mandy Holt, Marketing Manager; and Danny Ryan, Beertender.
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- Rick Dyer, Winemaker; Athena Dyer, Brand Ambassador; and Gail Medeiros, Brand Ambassador, Winterhawk Vineyards.
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- Chris and Nelly Saraiva, Co-Founders, Brands of Portugal, Inc.
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- Sons of Liberty Vodka, Sons of Liberty Apple Flavored Whiskey, Sons of Liberty Maple Flavored Whiskey and Sons of Liberty Honey Flavored Whiskey.
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- Spirits tastes of Sons of Liberty Distilling’s Message in a Bottle, a ready-to-drink cocktail of cucumber-infused vodka, creme de menthe, simple syrup and lime.
Photos by Laura Widness.
