Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio hosted its annual culinary and wine fundraiser on March 28 at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence, with this year’s theme, Uncorking the Future, providing a colorful backdrop for guests. PBS Chef, Host of “Ciao Italia” — the longest-running television cooking program in America — and Author Mary Ann Esposito joined as the evening’s celebrity guest, along with several notable Rhode Island politicians. Presented by East Providence’s Town Wine & Spirits, guests enjoyed an enticing selection of small bites and beverage samples provided by top restaurants, confectionaries, distilleries, breweries and vineyards from Rhode Island and southeastern New England. Live performances by bands featured in the local series Ocean State Sessions, an instant-win wine grab, and both live and silent auctions were also available.
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- Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio hosted its annual culinary and wine fundraiser on March 28.
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- Adam Ramsey, CEO, Advanced Production + Design and Elisa Iacono-Mears, Senior Events Manager, RI PBS and The Public’s Radio.
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- A pour of Domaine Carneros by Taittinger 2021.
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- Special guest Chef Mary Ann Esposito, Creator and Host of the nationally televised PBS series “Ciao Italia,” has shared traditional Italian cooking, history and culture with audiences around the world.
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- Will Gaess, Brand Ambassador, Whalers Brewing Company pouring Whalers Drift Blueberry Lemon Hard Seltzer.
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- John Wiedenheft III and John Wiedenheft V, Cider/Winemakers at Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery.
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- Hoyt Scharff, Oxford Street Merchant Luxury Portfolio Specialist, Johnson Brothers of RI.
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- Jared Iannelli, Sales Representative, Mancini Beverage pouring M by Mac and Billy Cabernet Sauvignon.
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- Mancini Beverage Sales Representatives Jennifer Chapman and Jared Iannelli.
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- Cathy Plourde, Co-owner, RI Spirits and The Rhodium spirits line.
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- Britney DeBelle, Wine Marketing Representative, Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company.
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- Alecia and Carlo Catucci, Co-owners, White Dog Distilling.
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- Alecia Catucci, Co-Owner, White Dog Distilling, mixing up a fresh Fig & Honey Spritz.
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- Jessica Benoit, Bartender, Just Ellen’s Catering and Event Planning pouring a welcome glass of I Heart Prosecco.
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- Ariel Brodsky, Server/Bartender and Thomas Collard, Kitchen Staff, The Coast Guard House.
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- Kristi Dukoff, Owner, with Mama Sharon, Employee of the Year, Kristi’s Kraftails.
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- Taylor Cram, Wine Director, Town Wine & Spirits and Co-founder, Rhody Barrel Brotherhood and Rich Sutton, General Manager, Town Wine & Spirits.
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- Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.
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- Congressman Gabe Amo of Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District.
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- Congressman Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District.
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- A Fig & Honey Spritz cocktail featuring White Dog Distilling Cornucopia Figgy Whiskey, Bootblack Brand Spiced Honey Hot Toddy Cocktail & Soda Syrup, old-fashioned bitters and Yacht Club Soda Water.
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- Lella’s Limoncello Mule cocktail by White Dog Distilling.
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- A living art performance of giant butterflies by TEN31 Productions out of Pawtucket.
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- Wines from Mancini Beverage.
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- Wines from Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company.
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- A pour of Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier White Blend 2023.
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- Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel, Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre, Boen Pinot Noir and Chamisal Vineyards Pinot Noir.
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- A pour of Starlight Distillery’s Single Barrel Huber’s Rickhouse Select Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey .
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- A glass of Quilt Fume Blanc.
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- Fidelity Red Wine, Bousquet Reserve Malbec, Tenuta Monteti Caburnio, Ameztoi Rubentis Getariako Txakolina, La Val Albarino and Scharffenberger Cellars Brut.
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- Lila Wilde, Professional Singer/Songwriter, Lila Wilde Music.
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- A living art performance of giant butterflies by TEN31 Productions out of Pawtucket.
Photos by Laura Widness.
