What is it that when we dine out is both eagerly anticipated and taken for granted? more

Just a year ago, Stephanie Hebert was a long-term unemployed woman in her mid-20s without a college education or high school diploma – exactly the population at risk for chronic joblessness and public-assistance dependence. more

The first taste of spring, at least this spring, is not found in a meadow just coming into bloom, or at dawn on a misty pond with the new season as fresh as the promise of the coming day. more

Cranston Area Career & Technical Center students David Vargus, left, and Terrell Paci, right, prepare their menu starter of pesto grilled toast, homemade fresh ricotta, tomato and onion, topped with honey. They were among 34 students who competed March 28 in the 2nd annual Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation ProStart Culinary competition at Warwick’s Radisson Providence Airport Hotel. Students from Exeter Job Corps and William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School will move on to represent the state in a national competition. more

The description reads like a reality TV show. Teams of culinary students compete to open, manage and cook in their own restaurant. They will be judged by restaurant owners, chefs and culinary professionals. The winner receives cash and the chance to go on to a national competition to win more cash. more

While the number of Rhode Islanders who visited Twin River declined 9.1 percent from 2010 to 2012 to 161,726, those who came from Massachusetts increased 8.8 percent to 385,348, helping the Lincoln gaming facility gain less than one-half percent in visitors to 582,662 in the time period. more

In a world of tweets, posts and texts, the face-to-face lunch meeting is still a staple of how business gets done in Rhode Island, according to Dale Venturini, president of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association. more

Providence beat out New York City, to be named the second best city for pizza in the United States by Travel + Leisure Magazine. more

Two Providence-area chefs – Nemo Bolin and Benjamin Sukle – are in the running for Food & Wine’s list of the 10 most brilliant up-and-coming chefs. more

The number of restaurants on Providence’s Federal Hill has not changed very much in the last decade or two. But there is a resurgence on the Hill’s Restaurant Row these days that is noticeable. New places have started up, in spaces where restaurants had been and in a few spots where they had not. more