Dishing Up the Local Food Fest
Farm Fresh RI’s Annual Celebration at Castle Hill Inn
There is one day a year where I fast from morning ’til sundown. No, I’m not talking about Yom Kippur (although I do that some years as well). I’m talking about the day of ultimate celebration—not atonement. I’m talking about Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Local Food Fest.
Held each August at Newport’s enchanting Castle Hill Inn, the Local Food Fest is a true holiday—replete with tradition, family and overeating. Now in its 12th year, the festival fundraiser pairs local chefs and mixologists with farmers and fishers to create unique dishes using the freshest ingredients of the season. Many of the same Rhode Island food heroes come back year after year, donating their time and talent to Farm Fresh RI.
Chef/Owner Beau Vestal of Providence’s New Rivers Restaurant is one such Food Fest veteran who makes the event an annual ritual for himself and his staff. “I’ve been participating in the Local Food Fest since its inception—it’s a great way to pair up with a local food producer and spread the message of eating locally and responsibly. The gorgeous setting and all the great participants make for a very special night!”
Special it is, as the sounds and smells of the festival waft from under the magnificent white tent over the sweeping lawn and out onto the summer ocean.
Farm Fresh Co-Executive Director Sheri Griffin explains the value of the event for the nonprofit food hub, headquartered in Providence.
“The Local Food Fest is a vital fundraiser that supports our programs, made possible only thanks to the generosity of the dedicated people at Newport Restaurant Group and the hardworking people who donate their time and resources,” she says. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the outpouring of support that makes this evening at Castle Hill Inn such an unforgettable experience.”
Casey Riley, chief operating officer for Newport Restaurant Group, which operates Castle Hill, says he enjoys the partnership of “mutual growth and respect.”
“The Local Food Festival is at the heart of our relationship, a fundraiser with a higher purpose: bringing folks together to spend a Newport summer evening celebrating our region’s products and distinct artisan culture,” he says. “As an employee-owned company, we love our community—hosting the Festival is the highest of highlights every year!”
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind affair. With none of the angst and obligation of a regular holiday, the Local Food Fest is one of the best nights for everyone who makes it an annual tradition. Even better—it’s a summertime event in Newport that’s for Rhode Islanders, by Rhode Islanders. Just remember to come hungry. See you under the tent!
To purchase tickets, visit: FarmFreshRI.org/support/foodfest/
