A Culinary & Wine Experience to Bene t Rhode Island PBS & The Public's Radio
March 28, 2025
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
WaterFire Arts C enter
Providence, RI
Dear Friends,
More than 30 years ago, I took my first job in media. Since then, nearly everything has changed – where and how people get their news, the types of content they consume, the stories that capture their attention. Today the media landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speeds.
Yet one thing remains constant: the need for trusted, credible local journalism and engaging storytelling has never been greater.
That’s why public media is more important than ever.
With the merger of Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio, we have become the region’s largest public media organization. That’s an exciting milestone – but also a profound responsibility. Our journalism must go deeper, our reach must expand farther, and our storytelling must resonate across platforms. As a truly blended media organization, we now have the opportunity to connect with more people in more ways, making meaningful investments in how we serve and engage our community.
None of this work is possible without you.
Thank you for being a part of Uncorking the Future and for believing in the power of public media. Your support makes our work possible – not just today but in the future we are building together. On behalf of our board, our dedicated team, and our talented journalists, please know how much we value you.
Together, we can rise to this moment and deliver the relevant, transformational storytelling that our community wants and deserves.
With deep-appreciation,
Pam Johnston President & CEO
Rhode Island PBS & The Public’s Radio
50 Park Lane, Providence, RI 02907-3145 Tel: 401-222-3636 Fax: 401-222-3407 www.ripbs.org www.thepublicsradio.org
Event Committee
Kimberly Amons
Cheryl Botwick
Roger Boudreau
Jamie Coelho
Ashley Erling
Kristen Haffenreffer
Erin Hanson
Elisa Iacono-Mears
Pam Johnston
Ellen Loconto
Rosanna Ortiz
Adam Ramsey
Samantha Roberts
Stephanie Wilmarth
5:00 pm VIP Reception sponsored by Allen’s Wine & Spirits, M.S. Walker, Matunuck Oysters, Tony’s Seafood, and Just Ellen’s Catering & Event Planning, Silent Auction Opens
6:00 pm Book Signing with Chef Mary Ann Esposito
6:00 pm Small Bites, Fine Wines and Beverages
Dolce & Salato Raffle
Wine Grab
7:00 pm Welcome Remarks by CEO Pamela Johnston Emcees Ashley Erling & Doug Palmieri
Live Auction with John D’Aloisio
8:15 pm Silent Auction Closes
8:30 pm Silent & Live Auctions Check Out
Foundation Board Advisory Board
Michael Beauregard
Melissa Cummings
Meredith Curren
Elizabeth Delude-Dix
Nick Denice
David Fontes
Elizabeth Francis
Gary Glassman
Bari Harlam
Barbara Haynes
John Hoey
Scot Jones
Dave Laverty
Rajani Mahadevan
Gina McDonald
Amanda McMullen
Susan Rittscher
Pablo Rodriguez
Merrill Sherman
Carolyn Wiesenhahn
Community
Tony Aguilar
Len Cabral
Amy Donnelly Roche
Juan Espinoza
Timothy Fogarty
Mike Goodman
Betty-Jo Green Cugini
Alexandra Hahn
Topher Hamblett
Deb Majewski
Marta V. Martinez, PhD
Ed Mastriano
Elizabeth Renée Neely
Roni Phipps
John Sousa
Darien Strassfield
Lou Viola
Eric Weiner
EventSponsors
Diamond Gold
Silver
OCEAN STATE VIDEO
Dolce &
Cocktail Party for 20 from Dolce & Salato
Raffle
Tickets are $50. Only 50 tickets will be sold!
Enter to win a Cocktail Party for 20, valued at $1500, from Dolce & Salato. Experience the warmth of their hospitality as you savor the flavors of Italy with your friends and family.
Enjoy a Prosecco welcome toast, charcuterie grazing station and four passed appetizers.
Winner will collaborate with the owners of Dolce & Salato to create the perfect cocktail party.
Reservation must be made at least 4 weeks in advance.
Restrictions: No major holidays or Saturdays. Please redeem prior to April 1, 2026.
In-Kind & Auction Donors
As of March 20, 2025
Adam Ramsey
Amanda Doumato Silva
America’s Test Kitchen
Bar Harbor Inn
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum
Block Island Ferry
Boston Duck Tours
Central Rock Gym
Crazy Burger Café & Juice Bar
David Laverty
Dolce & Salato
Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines
Elizabeth Delude-Dix
Erin Hanson
Experience Rhode Island
Forge to Table
Foxwoods Resort Casino
GBH Station Services
Gene Hutnak Photography
Harbor Lights
James & Christina Cullen
Launch Family Entertainment
Narragansett Beer
Newport Car Museum
Newport Classic Cruises
Newport Harbor Island Resort
Newport Helicopter Tours
Newport Restaurant Group
Newport Vineyards
Ocean House
Pea Poddery
Providence Performing Arts Center
Providence River Boat Company
Rhode Island Red Food Tours
Rock Spot Climbing
Roger Boudreau
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Rose Island Lighthouse
Sakonnet Golf Club
Sakonnet Vineyard
Smug Brewing
Sweenor’s Chocolates
The Beatrice
The Boston Red Sox
The Coast Guard House
The Darius Inn
The Langworthy Inn & Winery
The Providence Rink
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum
Topgolf
Tracy Hewat
Trinity Rep
West Place Animal Sanctuary
WinterHawk Vineyards
Woodstock Inn Brewery
Wormtown Brewery
Beverage
Donors
Wine samplings are coordinated by Town Wine & Spirits and generously donated by:
Brands of Portugal
Johnson Brothers
M.S. Walker
Mancini Beverage
Southern Glazer
Town Wine & Spirits
Vineyard Road
Wine Wizards
Beer, Cider and Spirit Donors: Narragansett Beer
Rhodium by Rhode Island Spirits
Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery
Whalers Brewery
White Dog Distilling
Private Cellar and Wine Donors:
Adam Ramsey
Allen’s Wine & Spirits
Amanda Doumato Silva
David Laverty
Erin Hanson
Greenvale Vineyards
James & Christina Cullen
Roger Boudreau
Zero Proof Donors: Kristi’s Krafttails
Polar Beverages As of March 20, 2025
Wine Grab!
$70 per Cork plus a gift!
For $70, choose one of 60 numbered corks for a bottle of fine wine – one of which is a premium bottle of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Capanna 2012, valued at $145.
With each purchase you will receive a handblown wine glass from Gather Glass.
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Capanna 2012
The Capanna farm, owned by the Cencioni family since 1957, is located in the Montosoli area north of Montalcino and was one of the first farms of the modern Brunello era. It remains a family-run estate dedicated to both farming and winemaking.
This robust, powerfully structured wine opens with aromas of forest floor, baked plum, camphor, and new leather, while the warm, hearty palate reflects the vintage with notes of stewed prune, tobacco, licorice, and dried mint, framed by assertive tannins. Best enjoyed between 2020 and 2027.
Donated by Amanda Dumato Sliva
Auctioneer
John D’Aloisio
John D’Aloisio has been an auctioneer for 20 years on the New England/New York automobile circuit. He qualified for National Auto Auctioneers Championships, and calls more than 275 auctions every year. We are glad to welcome John back for his third year at Uncorked!
Emcees
Ashley Erling
Ashley Erling has been in the television industry for more than a decade and is currently the Director of Local Content and on-air personality for WPRI 12, FOX Providence, The CW Providence, and MyRI TV. She oversees The Rhode Show along with all other local programming across those stations. Ashley also has a weekly series on WPRI 12 News This Morning Saturdays at 9am called What’s Happening spotlighting local events and attractions. She is passionate about her community; involved in several local organizations and committees in Rhode Island.
In her spare time, Ashley enjoys exploring New England and beyond, shopping, watching way too many reality shows, as well as going to bed early because of her ridiculous morning TV schedule.
Doug Palmieri is a media veteran and iHeartMedia Providence Program Director for both 94HJY and NOW 93.3 as well as cohost of 94HJY’s popular Doug & Scarpetti afternoon show and NOW 93.3’s Doug and Jenn Morning Show. Doug is a native Rhode Islander (well…since he was 4 anyway) who loves to golf, travel, eat out and ride motorcycles.
PBS Celebrity Chef Mary Ann Esposito
Mary Ann Esposito is the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito and the author of 14 cookbooks, including her latest, Ciao Italia: Plant. Harvest. Cook! Now in its 30th year, Ciao Italia is America’s longest-running television cooking series.
Through Ciao Italia and appearances on The Today Show, the Food Network, Discovery Channel, Fox, RAI International, and The Victory Garden, Mary Ann has shared traditional Italian cooking, history, and culture with audiences worldwide. She has also worked alongside legendary chefs like Julia Child and Jacques Pépin.
Beyond television, she founded the Mary Ann Esposito Foundation to support culinary students. The Foundation recently introduced the Rebecca Alssid Award, benefiting students in Boston University’s gastronomy and culinary arts program. Mary Ann also teaches an online credit course at Boston University and has been part of its Seminar in the Arts program for nearly 30 years.
Mary Ann’s dedication to preserving Italian regional food traditions has earned her numerous honors. She received the Order of the Star of Italy Cavaliere award from the Italian Republic, the prestigious Premio Artusi award, and a Hall of Fame recognition from the Italian Trade Commission. The Order Sons of Italy in America also presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
She holds a master’s degree from the University of New Hampshire, a Distinguished Author Award from Johnson & Wales University, and an honorary doctorate from St. Anselm College for her contributions to Italian cuisine.
Copies of Ciao Italia: My Lifelong Food Adventures in Italy and Ciao Italia: Plant Harvest Cookbook will be available for purchase and signing by Mary Ann from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Your plan for health. Your health plan.
You like talking to people face-to-face. So do we. That’s why we opened Your Blue StoreSM locations around the state. You can ask your questions—and get answers—in person. And while you’re there you can take fitness classes and watch cooking demos. Maybe it’s a Rhode Island thing, but a friendly conversation always feels better. We’re here for you, Rhode Island.
Helping Rhode Islander’s find their perfect pairing since
1981.
As the leading independent real estate firm, we’ve always believed in strong, diverse communities. We share a vision with Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio in serving all generations across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
PBS and NPR are vital in helping us learn, grow, and connect. For fine local programming, they’ve always been our home. Enjoy this inspiring evening of arts, culture, and fellowship.
Dig In
Providence, RI is a place you can sink your teeth into. Our artists illuminate the city with murals, sculptures and performances. Our chefs are inspired by fresh ingredients and global flavors You can embark on an adventure gliding on a gondola Or refresh your wardrobe with local designs Whatever you need to recharge don’t worry, we got you GET THE DISH ON PROVIDENCE.
The Patio on Broadway
Restaurant Sponsors
Dolce
Cakes by Eboni
Dolce & Salato
Red Velvet Cupcakes, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Key Lime Pie Mousse Shooters, Heathbar Cakesicles
Eggplant Caponata: Roasted eggplant, olive, capers, tomato. Served in an all butter shortbread tart shell
Easy Entertaining
Fire Works
Catering Gracies
Crispy Poke Bites: Tuna, Pork Belly, Vegetarian
Gnarly Vines
Farm Just Ellen’s
Catering &
Antipasto and Charcuterie Display (VIP Event) 17 Tuna Conserva, Olive Tamanade, Capers, and Parsley
Pulled Chicken Bruschetta with Guava Sauce: Gnarly Vines Farm chicken, slow cooked, served over crispy bread, topped with guava sauce and garnished with fresh herbs.
Mini Beef Braciole
Mini Savory Cannoli: Whipped goat cheese, lemon zest, chives, hot honey drizzle and pistachios
Organic Classic Cotton Candy ;
Piña Colada: Organic pineapple and coconut cotton candy
Strawberry Pop Rocks: Organic strawberry
cotton candy topped with Pop Rocks
French 75: Organic champagne and cognac
cotton candy with a twist of lemon
Lavender Lemonade: Organic lavender and lemonade cotton candy
Cuban “Jamon y Queso”: Slow roast pernil with local herbs and Dominican spices. Roast ham, Swiss Cheese and a touch of sweet relish. Served with housemade spicy tomato aioli
Spin-us (Vegan): Spinach sauteed with olive oil, garlic, and red wine. Caramelized onion and roasted trio-mushroom medley. Braised black beans with local herbs
Fresh Matunuck Oysters (VIP Event)
Gougères aux Escargot
Sauteed Octopus with Chorizo, Fennel, and Onion Paired with a Spicy Aioli
Raw Bar (VIP Event)
Vanilla, Strawberry Sorbet, Cow Cake (light
chocolate ice cream with chocolate cake and chocolate curls) and Tractor Tracks (vanilla ice cream with crushed oreos and peanut butter cups with a caramel swirl).
