The second Eat Drink RI Festival features four spectacular downtown events in one weekend highlighting local farmers, chefs, bartenders and food & drink artisans. Choose one, or experience all of them! It’s guaranteed, you won’t leave hungry.

Chefs feast: Thursday, April 24th, 6 PM, Gracie’s. This opening event pairs 8 faculty members from Johnson & Wales University with 8 acclaimed JWU alumni chefs including Melissa Denmark of Gracie’s and Ellie’s Bakery, James Mark of north, Benjamin Sukle of birch, and Derek Wagner of Nick’s on Broadway. The reception includes passed canapés, breads, and a six-course dinner with wine pairings. Tickets are $250/person, including sales tax and gratuity, and a portion of proceeds will benefit AIDS Project Rhode Island.

Eat Drink RI Festival Truck Stop to benefit the RI Food Bank: Friday, April 25th, 5:30-8:30 PM, Providence Rink at the Bank of America City Center. Listen to the sounds of Superchief Trio while sampling local food trucks including Mijos Tacos, Noble Knots, Fugo, Flour Girls Baking Company, Portugalo, Tallulah, and others. Tickets are $75 per person, and include food from all trucks, and one beverage from either Revival Brewing Company or Jonathan Edwards Winery. Purchase them directly through the RI Food Bank website.

Grand Tasting: Saturday, April 26th, 11 AM to 4 PM, Biltmore Grand Ballroom. Presented by Rhody Bites, this event highlights the best local food, beer, wine and spirit purveyors, and includes seminars at 11:45, 12:45, 2 and 3 PM. Tickets are $75/person.

Grand Brunch: Sunday, April 27th. 2 seatings: 11 AM—12:30 PM and 1—2:30 PM, Biltmore Grand Ballroom. End the weekend with New Harvest coffee and a brunch buffet representing The Barstow, El Rancho Grande, Simone’s, Ellie’s Bakery and other local restaurants. Tickets are $65/person, and a portion of ticket sales will benefit the RI Philharmonic Foundations in Learning Exploration.

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