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Providence, Rhode Island: Where Culinary Culture Defines Local Life

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Providence, Rhode Island: Where Culinary Culture Defines Local Life


In the realm of North American food cities, Providence, Rhode Island, often flies under the radar—but those in the know recognize it as one of the nation’s most extraordinary culinary destinations. This compact New England capital has methodically cultivated an environment where food culture defines the fabric of local life.

What sets Providence apart is no accident. As early as the 1970s, forward-thinking urban planners laid the groundwork for a food-friendly ecosystem, protecting green spaces and establishing gardens and distribution networks. Their vision was so successful that in 2019, the UN Food and Agriculture Committee highlighted Providence as an exemplar in its publication Integrating Food into Urban Design.

The city’s thriving dining scene is supported by a discerning public that values quality, alongside local laws designed to encourage food business growth, such as support for “cottage food,” meaning food made in a home kitchen for sale.

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Chefs Love Providence

The city’s culinary excellence is anchored by Johnson & Wales University (JWU), one of the nation’s premier culinary institutions. Chef Rollie Wesen is a JWU instructor and the executive director of the Jacques Pépin Foundation—which is celebrating Pépin’s culinary legacy and upcoming 90th birthday with a series of fundraising events, including 90 extraordinary chef-hosted restaurant gatherings.

Wesen says many talented alumni choose to remain in Providence, consistently enriching the local food scene, which never gets stale. New openings happen regularly, and this spring Track 15, an 18,000-square-foot food hall located in historic Union Station is a highly anticipated addition.

“It is a great place to be a chef,” says Wesen. “Because the community is so strong and the public appreciates good food.” The city’s strategic location—within easy reach of both Boston and New York—combined with its more relaxed pace makes it an attractive home base for culinary professionals.

Providence’s food ecosystem is strengthened by exceptional local resources, says Wesen. The region boasts some of the country’s most accessible and highest-quality seafood, complemented by a robust network of farmers, producers, and shellfish farms. Farm Fresh RI, which Wesen regards as the nation’s leading food hub, creates connections between chefs and farmers while hosting vibrant farmers’ markets that have become community fixtures.

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The city has a layered academic landscape—including JWU, Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island School of Design and Providence College—which Wesen says contributes to a cosmopolitan environment where cultural diversity is celebrated through food. This intellectual and cultural ferment has given rise to an impressive array of restaurants that punch well above their weight for a city of Providence’s size.

Providence’s Culinary Travel Experiences

Rick Simone serves as the president of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, representing a vibrant area renowned for some of the finest Italian cuisine in North America, led by the legendary al Forno. “The chefs in our city often work together to push boundaries and deliver unforgettable dining experiences, drawing inspiration from a world of diverse cuisines,” says Simone.

Wesen names standout restaurants like Oberlin, Persimmon and Nick’s on Broadway—all of which have earned national recognition, while Gracie’s, Tallulah’s Taqueria, New Rivers, Sarto, Bayberry Garden and newly renovated Hemenway’s (Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence since 2012) continue to innovate and delight. He also mentions the terrific ethnic cuisine of Providence including the classic Italian restaurants on Federal Hill, plus Portuguese, Latino, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese eateries.

And don’t forget the drinks. “Not to be forgotten is how well our restaurants masterfully curate wine lists and craft cocktails, pairing innovation with sophistication that elevates any dining experience,” says Simone.

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This attention to detail creates experiences that keep critics and food enthusiasts coming back for more. In fact, Eater named Providence on its prestigious Where to Eat 2025 list—one of a mere 18 winners. “Providence is truly a destination for anyone with a passion for great food,” says Simone.

Wesen also points out a nearby treasure: right down the road toward Newport, on Aquidneck Island, where visitors can find food, farms, restaurants and vineyards—not to mention great breweries and distilleries.

This mix of history, education, diversity and innovation has created a dynamic food culture, making Providence one of America’s top culinary destinations. “We truly have everything we could hope for,” says Wesen. “In all phases, from brunch to late night.”

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Bodycam footage shows moments police respond to Pawtucket shooting

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Bodycam footage shows moments police respond to Pawtucket shooting


Police bodycam footage shows the moments officers arrived to the scene of a deadly mass shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The shooting on Feb. 16 at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena killed Rhonda Dorgan and Aidan Dorgan, the ex-wife and son of the shooter, who died by suicide.

Gerald Dorgan, Rhonda’s father, died from his injuries this week. His wife, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso remain hospitalized.

Around five minutes after the first officer arrives, he beings helping paramedics with a man who identifies himself as Aidan. Twelve minutes in, Aidan Dorgan is transported to the hospital, where he would later die from his injuries.

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For the last 10 minutes of the footage, the officer then begins helping paramedics transport the other three gunshot victims.

The video ends with police prepping witness interviews.

The shooting rocked the Pawtucket community. Chris Librizzi, head coach of the Blackstone Valley Schools hockey team impacted by the shooting, said the players and coaching staff “are devastated over the events that took place at Lynch Arena on Monday and intimately affected one of our teammates.”

As authorities continue investigating the shooting in Pawtucket, three patients remain in critical condition.

“We will lean on each other and support one another, as we have always done as a team,” he added.

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Pawtucket police said two handguns were found at the scene after the shooting, a Sig Sauer P226 and Glock. Other weapons have been seized at the suspect’s storage unit in Maine.

Investigators continue reviewing all video evidence from before, during and after the shooting, including surveillance footage from the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, police body-worn camera footage and other records — a high school sports livestream captured the shooting from a distance — police said.



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Man killed in RI shooting; suspect involved in Mass. car crash that killed 2 others

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Man killed in RI shooting; suspect involved in Mass. car crash that killed 2 others


A man has died after a shooting in Cranston, Rhode Island, and investigators say a suspect was later involved in a car crash in Swansea, Massachusetts, that killed two other people.

The shooting victim was found Thursday on Legion Way, shot multiple times in the chest, Cranston police told NBC affiliate WJAR-TV. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he later died. His name has not been released.

The suspect initially fled on foot, setting off a shelter-in-place order while investigators searched the area.

Police said Friday that investigators identified a suspect vehicle, which was later spotted by Massachusetts State Police. A trooper followed the car down Route 6 and Interstate 195, but stopped when it crossed back into Rhode Island. The car was later involved in a crash on Route 136 in Swansea, Mass.

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Swansea police say that crash on Route 136 (James Reynolds Road) resulted in the deaths of two other people.

According to the Swansea Police Department, two officers saw a white Infinity G37 speed past them around 12:18 a.m. Friday on Route 6, otherwise known as Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Moments later, officers observed that the vehicle had crashed into the side of a blue Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136.

Both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage, police said.

The vehicle that was struck was fully engulfed in flames. First responders and bystanders tried to extinguish the fire, but both occupants — a man and a woman — were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Their names have not been released.

The 28-year-old Infinity driver, who struck the victims’ Subaru, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries and later into custody by Cranston Police. They have not been publicly identified at this time.

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Swansea police said they are aware that the Infinity was the subject of a police pursuit, and know the driver was wanted in connection to the Rhode Island homicide investigation. While Swansea police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect’s vehicle, however, they say they were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the deadly crash.

The crash in Swansea is under investigation by Massachusetts authorities, including state police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, Cranston police said they would give an update on their investigation around 1 p.m.



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RI House speaker unveils housing bills for 2026. What to know

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RI House speaker unveils housing bills for 2026. What to know


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  • Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has introduced a new package of housing legislation.
  • Highlights include allowing property owners to divide single-family lots and legalizing single-staircase, four-story apartment buildings.
  • The package also seeks to expand the Homeless Bill of Rights and streamline the creation of emergency shelters.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi is once again taking aim at the regulations he says are stifling new homebuilding.

The Warwick Democrat unveiled his sixth annual suite of housing legislation on Thursday, Feb. 26, a few weeks after announcing he would not be running for governor this year.

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“We are still trying to play catch-up for all the years that Rhode Island was dead last in the country for new housing starts,” Shekarchi said. “While Rhode Island remains a relatively affordable option for people moving here from other states, our own residents are too often priced out of the neighborhoods they grew up in.”

The legislative text of the nine-bill housing package, and with it the specifics of how it would work, were not available for Thursday’s news conference.

But highlights of the package, according to summaries, include:

  • Infill housing. Allow property owners to divide lots in single-family zoning districts, creating multiple dwellings instead of one, provided they have water and sewer service.
  • Parking maximums. Put new limits on how much off-street parking communities require for new apartment buildings.
  • Homeless Bill of Rights. Expand the state’s Homeless Bill of Rights to require 15-day notice to the occupants of encampments before local authorities clear them.
  • Emergency shelters. Let communities build temporary shelters, such as the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence, during a state of emergency.
  • Stairs. Legalize the construction of four-story apartment buildings with a single staircase.
  • Affordable housing taxes. Overhaul the tax system for income-restricted housing covered by the state’s “8 Law.”

Is land-use reform working?

Since Shekarchi was elected speaker in 2021, the General Assembly has passed dozens of bills he backed that tweaked state land-use statutes or streamlined the process for building.

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How successful this approach has been is subject to debate.

Many local elected officials wary of development in their communities continue to rail against efforts to erode their power over construction.

Others in the growing Yes In My Back Yard movement see Rhode Island’s piecemeal approach as inadequate in comparison with the scale of the affordability problem and what other states are doing.

As evidence that his changes are making a difference, Shekarchi said Rhode Island saw a 70% increase in building permits in 2023 and a more modest increase in 2024. (Statistics for last year were not immediately available.)

Gov. Dan McKee’s 2030 plan calls for 15,000 new housing units built by that year.

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Democratic primary challenger Helena Foulkes is slated to roll out her housing plan on Monday.

It is expected to include a millionaires tax to fund affordable housing, a revolving fund and target of 20,000 new homes.

What would the new laws do?

Letting property owners put multiple homes on a plot of land is one of the most direct ways that lawmakers can encourage the construction of more homes, but it is also one of the most controversial.

That’s especially true in areas zoned for large lots and single-family homes.

How far the new bill allowing lots to be subdivided in single-family zones goes is unclear. It is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Casey, D-Woonsocket.

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Legislation setting maximum parking requirements for new developments, introduced by Rep. Joshua Giraldo, D-Central Falls, would apply to areas accessible by public transit.

Critics of off-street parking requirements say they make it harder to build new apartments and make the units that are built more expensive.

Shekarchi proposed the emergency shelter bill last year. It passed the House and died in the Senate.

It was the result of how long it took state officials to navigate Rhode Island’s building code and open the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence.

The staircase bill, sponsored by Rep. June Speakman, a Warren Democrat and chair of the House’s home affordability study commission, follows a wave of cities and states relaxing rules on how many exits are required in new construction.

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Currently, the state building code requires two stairways in buildings with more than three stories, and fire officials have opposed all efforts to change that.

Speakman’s bill would allow four-story buildings with a maximum of 16 units with a single staircase.

Supporters of single-stair buildings say they allow development of small sites that would otherwise sit vacant and allow family-sized units with more light and better ventilation.

A previous Rhode Island single-stair bill would have allowed six stories, but it died in committee.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order in mid-February to study the idea.

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