Providence Mayor, Angel Taveras, to Welcome Keynote Speaker at Taste Trekkers, the Nation’s First Food Tourism Conference

PROVIDENCE, RI – Showing Providence’s full support for the upcoming food tourism conference in the city, Mayor Angel Taveras will play an integral role in the weekend’s festivities. Kicking off September 20, Mayor Taveras will be introducing keynote speaker, Matt Jennings of Providence’s Farmstead, Inc. (www.farmsteadinc.com/) at the much anticipated Taste Trekkers Conference (http://tastetrekkers.com/conference).

In addition to being a two-time James Beard Foundation Best Chef Northeast nominee, Jennings is also known as “Providence’s Pied Piper of Cheese” and “Prince of Pork” for his knowledge of cheese and charcuterie., Jennings has also earned national recognition as one of “Most Sustainable Chefs in America,” in part due to the development of Providence’s Trace and Trust program.

The three-day conference will take place in downtown Providence (www.goprovidence.com), the city ranked #1 for Food/Drink/Restaurants in Travel + Leisure’s “America’s Favorite Cities 2012.” Tickets start at $65 and are available now at http://tastetrekkers2013.eventbrite.com.

Additional highlights of the conference include:

  • Breakout sessions, featuring topics:
    • From Farm and Fisherman to Table
    • New England Lamb Butcher Demo
    • Peruvian Cerviche and Causa Limena
    • Taste the Terroir of American Honey
    • Dry-cured for Three Generations: A Family’s Journey in Charcuterie
    • Durham, North Carolina: Integrity Tastes Good
    • Memphis: BBQ and Beyond
    • New England: Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum!
    • Before there were Food Trucks, there were Lunch Wagons
    • The Chocolate of Madagascar
    • The Story of Vermont Ice Cider: A Tasting and Pairing
  • Panel Discussion: Food Tripping: Culinary Tourism Today and Tomorrow, hosted by Gail Ciampa, Food Editor of the Providence Journal. Featuring speakers:
    • Danielle Brodhagen, Director of Product Development, Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance
    • Jose Duarte, Owner and Chef, Taranta Restaurant
    • Cindy Salvato, President & Owner, Savoring Rhode Island
    • Joyce Weinberg, Owner, City Food Tours
    • Meghan Sheridin, Executive Director, Vermont Fresh Network
    • Sai Viswanath, Chef, DeWolf Tavern
  • Tasting Pavilion at the Providence Biltmore Hotel featuring regional purveyors including:
    • American Honey Tasting Society
    • American Lamb Board
    • Coastal Extreme Brewing Company
    • Ravenous Brewing
    • Food Trucks In
    • Johnson and WalesUniveristy
    • Melting Pot Food Tours
    • The Mystery Café
    • Narraganett Creamery
    • And many more!
  • Culinary Tours on Sunday morning with Rhode Island’s Cindy Salvato, Newport Gourmet’s Mike Martini and A Taste of Rhode Island through the historic neighborhoods of Providence.
  • Food Truck Brunch on Sunday featuring some of Providence’s most popular Food Trucks, including:
    • Acacia Café Food Truck
    • Clam Jammers
    • Go-Spresso
    • Mootzadeli
    • Noble Knots
    • Panino Express Mobile Cuisine
    • Portu-Galo
    • Rocket Fine Street Food
    • Radish
    • Fugo

Tickets for Taste Trekkers are on-sale now at http://tastetrekkers2013.eventbrite.com. For more information, please visit http://tastetrekkers.com/conference.

About Taste Trekkers

Taste Trekkers, the nation’s first food tourism conference, is produced by Seth Resler. Resler is the founder of the nationwide social dining group Mystery Meet, which brings together adventurous foodies for a night of social dining at the hottest restaurants. Resler has been involved in the production of hundreds of events, including the WBRU Summer Concert Series, the New England Nightclub and Bar Expo, and the Global Institute for Leadership Development. His events have been recognized by the Mayor of Providence with a Citizen Citation.

The Creative Capital ~

Providence is a vibrant and energetic destination boasting some of the country’s finest educational institutions paired with a pulsating artistic landscape.  The city’s history of innovation, dating back to its founding father Roger Williams, drives a strong sense of place and encourages residents and visitors alike to view Providence as a leading arts and cultural destination.  Providence seamlessly blends the urban sophistication of a big city with the graceful charm of a small town replete with internationally-acclaimed restaurants and a thriving arts scene.  For more information, log onto www.goprovidence.com.

Media can also follow Lou Hammond on Twitter @LouHammondPR or on Facebook.

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