Our local restaurants are the envy of foodies nationwide. Tourism officials have been fielding calls on a daily basis from meeting planners and journalists who are coming to visit our state to scout out upcoming events. One of the initial requests from these out-of-towners is to dine out locally. Our reputation for culinary creativity is such that high on the list of attractions is the state’s restaurant scene. more

President of Rhode Island Vegan Awareness talks about educational efforts the progress the organization has made with the state’s hospitality industry. more

What a difference a year makes. Near the end of 2011 the driving forces behind WaterFire Providence, touted by many as the city’s signature artistic event, painted a picture of a desperate financial state that made them question the organization’s chances of returning for the next season. more

After 20 years with the zoo, Roger Williams Park Zoo Director Jack Mulvena has announced that he will be leaving the position effective Jan. 31, 2013. more

Roughly 93.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holiday season that falls between Dec. 22 and Jan. 1, according to AAA Southern New England. more

Brewer Rowe was recently named director of specials events and assistant tournament director at Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame. In his new role, he is responsible for all aspects of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, which were held last week (July 9-15). Rowe has more than 10 years of experience marketing and managing large-scale sports events, including road races, triathlons and professional golf tournaments. Most recently, he was the executive vice president of Eident Sports, a Providence-based event management firm that saw a 150 percent growth in corporate revenue under his leadership. more

When restaurateur and Rhode Island-raised Glenn Beattie returns to the state next year, he will be bringing the Corner Bakery Cafe with him. more

It’s long been known that the ladies room can be a place where ideas – and more than those centered on gossip or shopping recommendations – can be shared. So it wasn’t surprising to Ruth Taylor, executive director of the Newport Historical Society, that an advertisement for the organization’s new mobile guidebook placed on a lavatory wall garnered quite the positive reaction. more

“I have to say, it is a phenomenal year here!” says chef Brian Kingsford. He was waxing enthusiastic about a place where he spends almost as much time as he does in his well-regarded Providence restaurant, Bacaro. The chef starts most days out at Confreda Farm in western Cranston. He picks by hand basil and heirloom tomatoes and works closely with farmer Vin Confreda to select corn, peppers and other fresh vegetables. The close relationship Kingsford has with Confreda is readily apparent when the chef says he wants to have an in-depth conversation “with my farmer” about the bounty of this season’s produce and its exceptional quality. 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