Food News

Food News: Chef Meets Farm, Deliciousness Ensues

A four-night dinner series highlights the bounty of South County

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Nothing’s better in the peak of summer than eating outside with friends. Take it one step further and source your meal locally. Go even further and source your wine locally. This is exactly what Eat Drink RI had in mind when putting together a four-night dinner series at Horseshoe Farm in Westerly, but there’s a twist. The chef and her team are coming from Austin, TX, from a restaurant called Eden East. And the kicker: Chef and owner Sonya Coté is a RI native, so this is also a homecoming.
 
“I grew up in North Kingstown and learned the fundamentals of cooking in the state from my grandpa Jim, who graduated in 1975 from Johnson & Wales. I strongly identify with the ingredients that are used in this region,” Sonya explains. “Now that I live in Texas, and as a locavore chef, it’s impossible to source these foods that I grew up loving. Steamers, lobster, monkfish, skate, clams, chowder, quahogs, oysters. I really want my Eden East crew to experience these foods and be inspired by learning something new.”
 
The dinner series will be sourced as locally as possible, including products from Blackbird Farm, Walrus & Carpenter Oysters, Jonathan Edwards Winery, Revival Brewing Company and more. Each evening will begin with a reception at 6pm, featuring a raw bar and cocktails by Texas-based Deep Eddy Vodka, followed by a seated dinner paired with wine and beer. “The dinner series is a testament to the growth of food tourism in the state. There was a study that came out recently about travelers who are seeking out culinary experiences, specifically going to places because there is food they want to eat,” explains Katie Kleyla, Eat Drink RI’s Director of Development. “We’re in this food renaissance where people are willing to pay a little more for an experience you can’t have at a restaurant.” 
 
In fact, Katie’s already fielding calls from folks all over New England telling her that they’re coming down to RI for the whole weekend, not just for the dinner, and asking her for a food itinerary. “Of course we want other businesses to grow here. But it’s exciting to see this industry grow,” beams Katie. “If you’ve never been to Texas and aren’t going any time soon, the dinner is a good way to experience it. Expect some flavors you’re not going to run into here in RI.”
 
But it’s also an experience for the Eden East staff, considering that many have not had the real RI experience. “I’m definitely looking forward to watching [my staff] eat lobster,” says Sonya. “I have a few trips planned for them, including a visit to an oyster farm on East Beach (Walrus & Carpenter). A Ninigret Park bonfire is on the list and I have a day trip planned for Block Island, scooters and all. Most likely I’ll take them to the trail that used to be Rocky Point. And they will get their fill of clam cakes, clear chowder, cherrystones, steamers and Del’s.”
 
Eden East will donate a percentage of sales from the dinners to Colors for a Cause RI, a non-profit organization that supports families with children suffering from cancer. So not only will you be having an amazing meal, but now you’ll be helping a worthy charity. Sounds like a win-win. All-inclusive tickets are $150 per guest, and can be purchased via EatDrinkRI.com/RhodeIslandRoundUp.
 
Cans for Conservation 
Does anything scream land conservation more than cracking open a brewski? Revival Brewing Company doesn’t think so, and neither does Block Island’s ConserFest. The two have joined forces to help raise funds and awareness about land conservation through Revival’s new Night Swim’ah brew. It’s a Belgian-style Witt beer weighing in at 4.7% ABV and is flavored with orange peel, coriander and raspberries. Revival’s Brewmaster Sean Larkin has always loved Block Island and is thrilled to give back, and Night Swim’ah is Larkin’s way of supporting local environmental conservation efforts. Each year, ConserFest promotes environmental stewardship through a series of music celebration events to help protect beautiful places such as Block Island. August 2. Stages at the Town Beach Pavillion, Poor People’s Pub, Captain Nick’s and Yellow Kittens.
 
Brews and Barbecue 
“No more beer please,” said no one ever. That’s the spirit. Good thing, too, because Executive Chef Walter Slater of Smoke House and President and Head Distiller Brent Ryan of Newport Storm Brewery have collaborated for a beer dinner series aimed at celebrating friends, beers and barbecues. Their Farm to Table Barbecue on August 5 will feature Newport Storm’s Hurricane Amber Ale, the Spring Irish Red Ale and the Sourpuss Sour Ale made with real cherries. Menu items to tantalize your tastebuds range from Fried Squash Blossoms, Goat Cheese Gnocchi, Roasted White Halibut, Baffoni Farm Chicken Roulade and a Pot de Creme. And if you can’t make this dinner, there’s another one on September 23. $49. Smoke House, 31 Scott’s Wharf, Newport. 848-9800
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