Best taste of Warwick at Gourmet Gala

By Tessa Roy
Posted 2/16/17

The Rotary Club of Warwick is gearing up for its seventh annual Gourmet Gala, a “fantastic night of food and fun.”

Guests at the gala can expect to “meet, mingle and savor” a variety of …

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Best taste of Warwick at Gourmet Gala

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The Rotary Club of Warwick is gearing up for its seventh annual Gourmet Gala, a “fantastic night of food and fun.”

Guests at the gala can expect to “meet, mingle and savor” a variety of dishes prepared by local restaurants. The event is co-chaired by Dean Scanlon, owner of Revolution American Bistro, and Janis Constantine of the Rotary.

“It just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Constantine said, noting that more people and profits roll in each year. Last year’s event brought in an estimated 450 people and, according to Scanlon, raised over $20,000. The event is largely a tasting, but Constantine promises nobody will leave hungry.

In addition to a full stomach, those who plan to attend can expect a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

“The event itself is very low key. People can mix and mingle and can come for half an hour or two hours,” Constantine said. “It really is stress-free.”

The gala is also a chance for the restaurants to get some exposure and share menu highlights with new guests. Constantine said the Rotary is glad to provide this for them as their time and hard work preparing foods is all donated. From what she’s heard, it all pays off.

“A lot of people have come back to me and said, ‘I never would have thought to go to this particular restaurant if they hadn’t been at the gala. I wouldn’t have thought of them and glad I did.’ That’s what we want,” she said.

Proceeds from the gala will go directly to the rotary’s charity fund and dispersed throughout the year to help cover the Rotary’s charitable efforts. Constantine described past efforts like providing dictionary resource books for Warwick’s third graders, scholarships for the city’s high school seniors, and a winter Christmas party for children that may not otherwise have a happy holiday. It’s always heartwarming to see their delighted reactions, Constantine said.

In addition, the Warwick Rotary Club is involved with national and international rotary clubs that help provide relief for affected persons during disasters and work toward the eradication of polio, among other things.

Constantine credits the gala committee, her co-chair Scanlon, and corporate sponsors for helping make the night so successful.

“The Rotary Gourmet Gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Scanlon said. “We have some of the finest restaurants around. This is an annual, elegant evening of food, fun and charity.”

The restaurants participating in the gala are Revolution, Sophia’s Tuscan Grille, B. Pinelli’s, On the Border, Uno, Basta, Chianti’s, Chelo’s, Chapel Grille, O’Rourke’s Bar&Grill, Iron Works Tavern, Jade Dragon Restaurant, DELIcious!, Legal Sea Foods, 4 Corners Coffee and more, as well as alcohol vendors. Some vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. The event will take place March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the University Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel in Warwick. Proceeds will benefit the Warwick Rotary and the charities it supports. Tickets are $35 per person can be purchased at Revolution at 2190 Broad Street in Cranston, Global Excellence at 20 Veterans Memorial Drive in Warwick, and at the Warwick Beacon at 1944 Warwick Avenue in Warwick.

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