Lots brewing at April 3 gourmet gala

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 3/28/19

By JOHN HOWELL Janis Constantine is a planner. She does it at Global Excellence, whether it is helping plan a vacation for a family or making the arrangement for a corporate executive on a tight business schedule. And on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. she is

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Lots brewing at April 3 gourmet gala

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Janis Constantine is a planner. She does it at Global Excellence, whether it is helping plan a vacation for a family or making the arrangement for a corporate executive on a tight business schedule.

And on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. she is planning to have about 300 people over for dinner.

This will be the ninth annual Rotary Gourmet Gala she and Dean Scanlon of Revolution in Pawtuxet have staged. Like others, Wednesday’s gala will be held at the Radisson Hotel on Post Road across from Green Airport.

The forecast is looking good for this year.

“It’s a little cloudy, maybe some rain but no snow,” she said.

Last year was another matter. The gala was scheduled for March 7. The forecast was for snow and that’s what happened. The gala was postponed until later in the month.

Nonetheless the event, which raises funds for the Rotary Club of Warwick charitable contributions, was a success – attracting about 300 people and raising more than $16,000. In the course of its history, Constantine estimates the gala has raised close to $100,000 that flows back to the community in the form of scholarships and grants to non-profits.

“It’s always a challenge to try to make it fresh,” Constantine said.

As of Wednesday 23 restaurants and food-related businesses were participating, including regulars such as Sophia’s Tuscan Grille, Pinelli’s Restaurant & Bar, Libations at the Radisson and Revolution.

Constantine has added a twist. With the growing popularity of breweries, Apponaug Brewing Company, Proclamation Ale Company and Willies Superbrew will be providing tastings at the gala.

Constantine and Scanlon work with a devoted committee of Rotarians. She notes how Judith Earle runs the raffle, Lara D’Antuono coordinates volunteers and Lauren Slocum handles the program. Help has also come from the city’s department of economic development and tourism.

And then there’s the hotel that transforms its meeting rooms for the gala.

“The Radisson has just been so wonderful,” says Constantine.

From year to year, Constantine said the challenge has been to recruit the restaurants that, in addition to providing food for the evening, staff their display at their own expense. The gala has built upon itself with new restaurants as well as those that have been a part of it since the beginning.

In addition to those establishments already mentioned, those participating are Legal Sea Bar, Cassarinos, Greenwich Bay Oyster Bar, Harbor Lights, Cozy Caterers, Jade Dragon Restaurant, the Rhode Island Yacht Club, Not Your Average Joes, Brass Monkey, Black Sheep, Bagel Express Deli & Cafe in the Village, O’Rourke's Bar & Grill, Warwick Ice Cream, Safehouse and The Trap Brew Pub & Grill.

Tickets are $35 and are available at Greenwood Credit Union, Global Excellence, the Warwick Beacon and the Central Rhode Island Chamber.

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