The Rhode Island Chefs Collaborative Autumn Harvest Barbeque at Schartner Farms in Exeter, brought together over a dozen of the state’s top chefs, alongside a number of local brewers and winemakers in a daylight-to-evening celebration of the state’s sustainable harvest on October 19, 2014. Local chefs Derek Wagner and Jake Rojas spearhead the event annually. The money raised helps to send local chefs to the Sustainable Food Summit, also part of the Chefs Collaborative program. Chefs Collaborative works nationally to engage chefs in a network that “inspires and educates them to change how they source, cook and serve food.” Chef Derek Wagner of Nicks on Broadway said, “Events like this highlight the connection, the shared philosophies and the partnered relationships, and I think that is so very important to showcase.”
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- Jake Rojas, Chef and Owner of Tallulah on Thames in Newport.
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- Jessyloo Rodrigues from Small Estates Gardens representing Caledonia Spirits of Vermont, here with Barr Hill Vodka.
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- Ian Miagros of M.S. Walker and Jennifer Sutherland of Berkshire Mountain Distillers.
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- Connecticut’s Stonington Vineyards.
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- Nick Garrison, President and Founder, Foolproof Brewing; Sara Garrison; and Cara Lieffers, RI/MA Account Manager, Grey Sail Brewing.
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- The scene after dark.
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- Stefanie Melchert and The Eddy’s Jay Carr mixing cocktails with South Kingston’s Sons of Liberty whiskey.
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- A seasonal offering.
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- Jennifer Sutherland, Sales and Account Manager, Berkshire Mountain Distillers and Dan Lynch, bartender at Spoke in Sommerville, MA.
Photos by Chris Almeida.
